St. Philomena's Church - Mysuru

Mysuru - I can't avoid reminiscing about so many things when I hear the name of this colorful and lively city. Its beautiful palaces, excellent museums, fascinating heritage structures, mesmerizing temples, beautiful landmarks, pleasant climate, and so on....so on. Is it the cultural capital of Karnataka state? Nope, it is indeed the cultural capital of our entire nation.

Mysuru - it's a traveler's delight; it never ceases to surprise you. This article is about one such exciting place in this heritage city, which is typically missed in the itinerary of tourists outside Karnataka.

St. Philomena's Church - Oh, my God! What a magnificent structure! Such a lovely attempt to touch the sky! It's music performed by the architects. Like the desire of greedy men, the church is endlessly rising above! It is a marvel and one of Mysore's innumerable feelings of pride.

Constructed in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture in 1936 CE, it is said to be inspired by the Cologne Cathedral of Germany. The 175 feet tall twin towers of the impressive church, with numerous painted, stained glass windows, dominate the skyline of the entire city. 

The site initially had a wooden church built by the Mysore King Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1843. The British soldiers of the Catholic faith posted in the nearby Srirangapatna regularly prayed in this church. 

Later, the current structure was commissioned in 1933 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV upon the request of Father Cochet. Daly, the French architect, designed the structure. Bishop Rev Rene Feuga oversaw the construction, which got over in 1936. The church was dedicated to St. Philomena, the martyred Greek princess. Her sacred relics are kept in the church. 

The massive church is flanked on either side by two large sculptures depicting St. Philomena and St. Joseph. Philomena has an anchor by her side with a small arrow in her hand. St. Joseph holds the infant Jesus in his arms.

The church's interior has numerous sculptures and paintings depicting scenes from Jesus' life. The colossal interior forces us to look upwards till where our sight can possibly reach. The structure is unbelievably too high. Its magnificence astonishes us not only from the outside but even from the inside.

The church is a poem written in stone. It is indeed an impossible fancy dream implemented in reality. With my limited vocabulary, I am searching for words to describe this thoroughly. Spellbinding experience.

A visit to Mysuru remains incomplete without visiting this beautiful church.

Happy travelling.

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