Selva Matha Church (Kappal Matha Church) in Uvari, Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu INDIA most fave Tourist place don't miss it
Selva Matha Church (Kappal Matha Church) in Uvari, Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu INDIA
π Uvari’s Unique Church on the Shore
Nestled beside the Bay of Bengal in Uvari, Tirunelveli district, the Selva Matha Church—also popularly called Kappal Matha Church (“Ship Mother”)—is an architectural marvel designed in the shape of both a ship and a plane, giving an illusion of floating over the sea (Wikipedia, catholiconline.in).
π°️ Origins & Early History
The church’s roots go back over a century. An original St. Mary’s Church, managed by pastors of the Goa Mission, once stood in Uvari. By 1903, that little church was converted into a school (tirunelvelitalk.blogspot.com).
✨ The Miracle of September 18
A legendary event catapulted the devotion to Selva Matha (Our Lady). Local young women sleeping in a nunnery reportedly saw a glowing, unlit light surrounding the statue of Selva Matha, which remained visible for over an hour. Many villagers witnessed it, and this miracle is celebrated annually on September 18, with a procession carrying the statue through the streets in a chariot (catholiconline.in).
π’ Rising Again: From Erosion to Architecture
Due to sea erosion, the original church structure was severely damaged. The community laid the foundation stone on January 25, 1970, and construction was completed in 1974 under the guidance of Fr. Thomas. The resulting structure mimics a ship topped with an airplane, facing the waves—symbolizing both devotion and sea‑going tradition (tirunelvelitalk.blogspot.com).
π️ Structure & Symbolism
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The design merges nautical and aeronautical forms—a ship with an airplane perched above it.
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It houses three shrines and multiple grottos, creating spaces for focused prayer and reflection (tamilpithan7.blogspot.com).
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Recognized in 2016 by the Universal Achievers Book of Records as the first church of its kind in the world, with a special prayer marathon of 153 hours and a towering statue titled "Sarvaloga Sadhanal Selva Madha" (universalachieversbookofrecords.com).
π Festival & Faith: Annual Celebrations
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September 18 commemorates the miraculous glow with a lively festival and chariot procession.
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Apart from that, Selva Matha Church hosts everyday services and sees larger celebrations on Marian feast days, drawing Catholic devotees from around Tamil Nadu (catholiconline.in).
π Uvari in Context
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Uvari features a multi-religious spiritual presence: Selva Matha Church, the famed St. Antony’s Shrine, and the Suyambulingaswamy Temple for Hindus (Wikipedia).
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Both Christian and Hindu communities share devotion and festivities in this coastal village known historically as Obeer Pattanam, ruled by the Pandyas and inhabited by Bharathar coastal people (Wikipedia).
π Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Church | St. Mary’s Church under Goa Mission; converted to school by 1903 |
| Miracle Legend | Glowing statue light on September 18 celebrated annually |
| New Building | Foundation in 1970; completed 1974; shaped like ship and plane |
| Festivals | September 18 chariot procession; other Marian feast observances |
| Architecture | Three shrines, multiple grottos; symbolic nautical/aerial design |
| Records & Status | Certified unique shape; site of 153‑hour nonstop prayer & tall statue |
π Why It Inspires So Many
Selva Matha Church is not just a place of worship—it’s a spiritual landmark infused with miraculous legends, eye-catching design, and a deep sense of community devotion. Situated right by the sea, the ship-plane form reinforces its intimate connection to coastal life, while the glow‑miracle legend continues to foster enduring faith.
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