PilgrimstaysThe Basilica of St Lawrence at Attur, Karkala appears to have been in existence even prior to 1759 AD, from which date the earliest records of the Parish priests who served at this church are available. Except for a brief interregnum (1786-1801) during the period of the captivity of the Mangalorean Catholics by Tippu Sultan, St Lawrence Basilica Attur has been a great draw for pilgrims in the region. In recent years, increasing numbers of the faithful have made this shrine one of the most popular Catholic destinations in coastal Karnataka. The church at the time of its founding was located elsewhere, at a distance of 7 kms away from the present site. In 1784 when Tippu began his campaign against the Catholics of Kanara, this church like many others in Kanara, fell to the hands of his rampaging troops and was completely destroyed. It is a testimony to the resilience of the parishioners, who upon their return from captivity in 1801, set upon immediately restoring a semblance of the church at yet another site, 4 kms away from the previous location. It was a make-shift church with a thatched roof, which in 1839 was supplanted by a new building, which was a forerunner to the present day St Lawrence Basilica, Attur. Due to the ever increasing number of pilgrims a new church was erected at the present site in 1901. That building which stood until 2001 no longer exists, a small flower garden having taken its place. To commemorate 200 years of its existence in 2001, the present magnificent structure was erected as a memorial to the Bicentenary and consecrated by on 21st of January 2001 by the Bishop of Mangalore. On 26th April, 2016 the shrine was elevated to the status of a minor basilica, one of only 26 in India. The increase in the number of pilgrims flocking to the shrine has been exponential. The devout are no longer restricted to the immediate vicinity, but come from great distances especially to the annual Feast held on 27th January. Those who invoke St Lawrence of Attur, speak of his powerful intercession with God in granting them favours requested. The rising number of pilgrims is standing testimony to the fact that St Lawrence does not disappoint those who come to him in faith and devotion.
Except for a brief interregnum (1786-1801) during the period of the captivity of the Mangalorean Catholics by Tippu Sultan, St Lawrence Basilica Attur has been a great draw for pilgrims in the region
Due to the ever increasing number of pilgrims a new church was erected at the present site in 1901
To commemorate 200 years of its existence in 2001, the present magnificent structure was erected as a memorial to the Bicentenary and consecrated by on 21st of January 2001 by the Bishop of Mangalore
On 26th April, 2016 the shrine was elevated to the status of a minor basilica, one of only 26 in India
The increase in the number of pilgrims flocking to the shrine has been exponential
The basilica is set in one of the most beautiful landscapes of coastal Karnataka — the lush paddy fields and coconut groves of Udupi District with the Western Ghats rising in the background. The whitewashed church visible across the green fields, with the Ghats as a backdrop, is the quintessential image of Tulu Nadu Catholicism.
The August 10 procession of St Lawrence's statue through the surrounding village streets is one of the major Catholic processions of coastal Karnataka. The decorated float, the brass bands, the thousands of devotees in white — the procession is both a religious event and a community festival of enormous local pride.
The image of St Lawrence — traditionally depicted as a young deacon holding the gridiron on which he was martyred — is venerated above the high altar. In Tulu Catholic tradition, St Lawrence is believed to have particular power over fire and safety in the home. Families bring objects to be blessed at his altar.
The basilica's architecture combines the whitewashed Portuguese-influenced church design characteristic of Tulu Nadu Catholicism with later additions made to accommodate growing pilgrimage numbers. The facade, visible from the coconut-palm shaded approach road, has the distinctive horizontal quality of Kerala-Karnataka coastal church architecture.
The village of Attur and its surroundings represent the heartland of Tulu Catholic culture — the community that has maintained a distinct Catholic identity, language, and tradition for 400 years. The families who come to this basilica in August have come every August for generations. That continuity is felt in the atmosphere of the place.
St Lawrence, according to the Acts of his martyrdom, was told by the prefect to hand over the Church's treasures. He came back with the poor and sick and said: these are the treasures of the Church. Then they roasted him alive on a gridiron. He is said to have told his torturers to turn him over because he was done on one side. That combination of boldness in the face of power and cheerfulness in the face of death has made him one of the most beloved martyrs in Christian history. The Tulu Catholics of Karnataka chose him as their patron 400 years ago. They chose well.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Read in full on Bible Gateway →The Basilica of St Lawrence at Attur, Karkala appears to have been in existence even prior to 1759 AD, from which date the earliest records of the parish priests who served at this church are available. Except for a brief interregnum (1786–1801) during the period of the captivity of the Mangalorean Catholics by Tippu Sultan, St Lawrence Basilica Attur has been a great draw for pilgrims in the region. In recent years, increasing numbers of the faithful have made this shrine one of the most popular Catholic destinations in coastal Karnataka.
The church at the time of its founding was located elsewhere, at a distance of 7 km away from the present site. In 1784, when Tippu began his campaign against the Catholics of Kanara, this church, like many others in Kanara, fell into the hands of his rampaging troops and was completely destroyed. It is a testimony to the resilience of the parishioners, who upon their return from captivity in 1801 set upon immediately restoring a semblance of the church at yet another site, 4 km away from the previous location.
It was a make-shift church with a thatched roof, which in 1839 was supplanted by a new building, a forerunner to the present-day St Lawrence Basilica. Due to the ever-increasing number of pilgrims, a new church was erected at the present site in 1901. That building, which stood until 2001, no longer exists, a small flower garden having taken its place.
To commemorate 200 years of its existence in 2001, the present magnificent structure was erected as a memorial to the Bicentenary and consecrated on 21 January 2001 by the Bishop of Mangalore. On 26 April 2016, the shrine was elevated to the status of a minor basilica, one of only 26 in India.
The increase in the number of pilgrims flocking to the shrine has been exponential. The devout are no longer restricted to the immediate vicinity, but come from great distances especially to the annual feast held on 27 January. Those who invoke St Lawrence of Attur speak of his powerful intercession with God in granting them favours requested. The rising number of pilgrims is standing testimony to the fact that St Lawrence does not disappoint those who come to him in faith and devotion.
