Also known as Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Samba Kovil (in the local language), the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is one of the historical structures in the union territory of Pondicherry. Constructed on the orders of Jesuit Fathers, who visited this French colony at the end of the 17th century, the church was razed a number of times due to colonial power struggle among French, Dutch and British. Today, the church boasts of huge altars and statues of St. Joseph, Our Lady of Good Health, St. Theresa, St. Francis and many more, apart from the High Altar. A typical example of robin’s-egg-blue-and-cloud-white edifice, it is the mother church for the region’s Roman Catholic Archdiocese. Visitors to the church can attend the mass services conducted in English as well as in Tamil. Choir Loft and Bell Tower are the added highlights of the church.
Opening Time: 07:00 AM
Closing Time: 06:00 PM
Weekly Off: Nil
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October-March
temperature: Summer: March-July (24°C - 41°C) Winter: November-February (17°C - 32°C) Monsoon: August-September
humiditySummer: 60
humidityWinter: 50
humidityMonsoon: 80
By air: Located about 5 km. from the church is the Pondicherry Airport which offers regular flights to Bangalore. From the airport, you can easily hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the church.
By rail: Pondicherry Railway Station is only a km. away from the church. You can walk from the station to reach the church or hire a gearless scooter, auto-rickshaw (tempo or tuk-tuk) or a pedal cycle for the trip.
By road: Approach from Chennai on East Coast Road to enjoy a spectacular road trip. The church is located on the Cathedral Road in the Mission Street and is easily accessible by taxis, auto-rickshaws and local buses.
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