St.Thomas Malankara Catholic Church At Bhopal

History

The establishment of Bethany Ashram Pune on 24 October 1955 can be said to be the beginning of the mission of the Malankara Catholic Church outside its canonical territory. The Portuguese extended the Padroado agreement in their evangelization programme over India and wanted to bring the Indian Church of the St. Thomas Christians under this jurisdiction. The Church in India which was rooted in the socio-cultural environment and which enjoyed autonomy in internal administration in communion with the Universal Church resisted the unwanted intervention of the Portuguese who brought with them the Western ecclesiastical traditions.The Church of St.Thomas Christians could not withstand any more the denial of her autonomy. The initial resistance slowly gave way to discontentment, which ended up with the revolt in 1653 known as the Koonan Cross Oath.

Patron Saint: St. Thomas the Apostle

Parish Priest: Fr. John Nedumcheril

Catholic Families : 106

Catholics: 421

No. of SCC Units : 4

Parish Associations: Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM), Legion of Mary, Women’s Desk

Help Line/Phone Number

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Location info

• **Address_:_P.B. No. 27, Shiksha Mandal P.O., Behind Income Tax Office, Arera Hills, Bhopal M.P. - 462 011
  **

• District:Jahangirabad

• Nearest City: Jabalpur

Climate & weather

Winter is the best climate to visit.

Things to visit & highlights

Devi Shrinagar Palace,T.T Nagar,Saputara National Park

How to reach St.Thomas Malankara Catholic Church At Bhopal

• Nearest Railway Station**:**Habib Ganj Railway Station

• **Nearest Airport:**Airport Authority Of India,Arera Hills

• **Road Transport:**Central Bus Stand

Hotels & accommodation nearby

• Hotel Crown Palace,Hotel OMNI Palace,Lemon tree hotel.

Things to carry

Carry Your own Garbage Bags and do not Dispose off Plastic Bags Here and There.Maintain Cleanliness.

Best time to visit St.Thomas Malankara Catholic Church At Bhopal

Winter is the best climate to visit.

Timings & opening hours

6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily; Mass timings vary

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry; donations welcome

Duration needed

30 minutes to 1 hour

Safety tips

Dress modestly; maintain silence during service; photography may be restricted during Mass

Nearby visiting places

Religious sites, schools, community centres, and colonial-era buildings

Nearest airport, railway & bus

• Hotel Crown Palace,Hotel OMNI Palace,Lemon tree hotel.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Madhya Pradesh. 4G is reliable in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and along national highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench national parks. Most hotels and resorts in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Madhya Pradesh’s cities offer diverse cuisine. Indore is famous for street food — poha jalebi, sabudana khichdi, and bhutte ka kees. Bhopal has excellent Mughlai cuisine. Temple towns (Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Khajuraho) have traditional vegetarian thali restaurants.

Things to do at St.Thomas Malankara Catholic Church At Bhopal

Attend Mass services, admire the architecture and stained glass, explore the church grounds, photograph the exterior, and learn about the church’s history.

Nearest petrol pump

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum retail outlets are available in the nearest town or city. Major highways have fuel stations at regular intervals. It is advisable to fill fuel before entering remote areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks where fuel stations may be limited.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Mass timings? Sunday Mass is typically in the morning; weekday Mass varies by church.

Is the church open for tourists? Yes, tourists are welcome but should maintain respectful silence during services.

What is the architectural style? Churches in MP show a blend of colonial Gothic and local architectural influences.

Is there any entry fee? Entry is free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

Religious sites may have steps at the entrance and may not have ramps. The interiors are generally level once inside. Some historic sites have uneven stone floors. Visitors with mobility concerns should check in advance.

Rules & restrictions

Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (scarves or shawls are often available at the entrance). Photography is generally permitted without flash, but video may be restricted. Maintain silence inside. Mobile phones should be on silent mode. Remove shoes if required (indicated by signage). Do not touch artefacts or altars. These are active places of worship — respect services, festivals, and devotees.

Best photography spots

Madhya Pradesh has limited church architecture. The focus should be on the state’s magnificent Hindu and Jain temples (Khajuraho, Orchha, Sanchi). Khajuraho’s temple sculptures are among the most photogenic in India — shoot them in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon to bring out the relief details.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Madhyapradesh
• Category: Churches

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.