Marks of Hindu Culture

It is very evident that Arnose, who being well-versed in Indian Epics and Upanishads, was an admirer of the same and that he incorporated lots of traits of Hindu culture into his church construction. The circular wall, gate- houses and the elephant and horse portrayed inside the church are ample examples. Being an ardent devotee of Holy Mother Mary he has dedicated many of his poems to her such as Umaparvam, Vyakula Prabandham, Deva Mathrusthavam and Janova Parvam., there are seven circular pictures of the sanctuary out of which two are dedicated to mother Mary, another one to St. Ignatius of Layola the founder of his religious congregation and another one to St. Francis Xavier, his own exemplar forerunner.

In later years many a parish came into being around and in the suburbs of Velur Church. At present one can see about fifty parishes bifurcated from Velur the mother church. All of them separated themselves from the maternal church and consequently developed into free and self sufficient ones. Now we cannot claim to have a perfect history of Velur Church. The present condition of the church is naturally the result of various timely renovations and modifications done during the last centuries. In the year 1953 the main entrance gate was constructed without causing any damage to the Arnos Bhavan and it was named Padiri Memorial. All these prove that the people of Velur always were well aware of their indebtedness to their beloved founder. During 1965-66 the then parish priest built a school in the top ground, added a wing to the church towards the south and fixed shutter instead of the front main door of the church. It is to be gratefully acknowledged that then Hon. Chief Minister C. Achudamenon granted some financial support for this noble cause without any governmental control.