Church of Our Lady of Good Health

Pondicherry had been a French Colony for Three Hundred long years and therefore it is only natural that French influence would reflect in every aspect of the Culture of Pondicherry. The Church of Our Lady of Good Health is a perfect example of that impact. The 17th and 18th Centuries witnessed an acceleration in the preaching endeavors of the French Missionaries. This zeal of the Missionaries led to the construction of a number of Churches in Pondicherry and the Church of Our Lady of Good Health was a result of the efforts of the Missionaries.

The Church of Our Lady of Good Health is located in a tiny village called Ariyankuppam. A perfectly rustic place, the village is situated at a distance of 4 Kilometers from the South of Pondicherry. An unique feature of the Church of Our Lady of Good Health is that it provides an exciting beaten track for cycling expeditions.

Constructed in the year 1690, the Church of Our Lady of Good Health later went on to be re- built and renovated several times. The most prominent feature of the interior of the Church of Our Lady of Good Health are the rounded arches which carry a vault over the central aisle. The Crucifix is a free standing one and it is displayed upon the altar. The side walls inside the Church are decorated with brightly painted wooden images. The interior of the Church is completely peaceful and is a perfect place to rejuvenate ones mind and soul.