Mary Annai Velangkanni

Continuations from my last visit to Medan in August..hehheee..

What you see below is not a Temple, it’s a church … called ‘Mary Annai Vellangkanni’ Our Lady of Good Health located at Tanjung Selamat, Medan North Sumatera. Based on the popular devotion to Mother Mary who is said to have appeared in 17th century in a coastal village called Vailankanni, in Tamil Nadu India. She has come to be known as Annai Velangkanni, meaning Mother of Velangkanni just as Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima.

This majestic looking building resembles a towering Temple, which will certainly draw the attention of any passers by. Mary Annai Velangkanni was under construction from September 2001 to September 2005 and was declared open on 1st October 2005.

The uniqueness of this shrin lies in the originality of its Indo-Mogul architecture, in it's ornaments and display of colours done by amateur hands and above all in it's Biblical content narrating from the history of salvation from creation until the second coming of Jesus through it's structures, ornaments and paintings. The shrine consists of two floors; A Community Hall on the ground floor a place of worship on th first floor with a balcony and seven storey tower with tripple domes, symbolizing heaven, the abode of the Triune God Almighty.

Rev. Fr. James Bhrataputra, SJ designer architect and contractor of this monumental shrine. The whole concept of the shrine was inspired by one of the contemplations on the mystery of Incarnation as suggested in the spiritual exercise of St. Ignatius of Layola, the founder of the Jesuit Order. Rev. Fr James has tried to give a concrete form to his life long contemplation as a Jesuit.

Mini garden dedicated to the memory of Marian Pope John Paul 11.

Children park back of the chapel

Before the entrance of the second floor stand two huge statues of St. Paul, the Apostle of nations and St Francis Xavier the Apostle of Asia welcoming the visitors. I only managed snap a statue of St Paul.

Entrance of the Community Hall at the ground floor

The miracles of God.

The interior of the church that is studded fully with relief, paintings and ornaments is a feast for eyes.

The dome above the alter has three paintngs describing the second coming of Christ and tha last judgement scenes.

The last supper

From the entrance door of the church, you can see the paintings are diffrent. What's the different?? Let me tell you.. but for sure I couldnt believe my eyes too!!.. I saw they having the feast at a table but when I come closer to the altar.. the feast are on the floor. Too bad, My camera a 'too good' to took a picture..hahhahaaaa...

Another church.. which catch my eyes.. St Fransiscus De Asisi.. located at Brastagi

The structures and design from the Batak culture

Inside the chapel..

Actually I took too many pictures of different types of church with their own uniqueness and design... will share with you all..next time..hehhehee