St Andrews Basilica at Arthunkal

St. Andrews Basilica at Arthunkal is the largest temple of St. Sebastian in the world, located in the Alappuzha district. It was built by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century.

Every year in January, a grand annual ceremony is celebrated for a month with millions of devotees. And it is one of the major celebrations and attractions of India.

The church was rebuilt in 1584 by priest Jacomo Phenicio, and people believed that it had powers to heal the body and mind and was therefore very popular among the people.

Fenico died in 1632. After eight years of his death, the church was rebuilt to face the white sands, of the Arabian Sea on the west side. The saint was killed by the Roman emperor Diocletian for adopting Christianity.

In 1647, a life-size statue of St. Sebastian was erected in Milan and placed in the Orthodox Church. The statue's body pierced with arrows and, everywhere there are traces of blood, which was a cruel incident. The interior woodwork and the church boast marvelous ancient architecture.