St. Anthony’s Shrine – Poovalur

Contact Details:

St. Anthony’s ShrinePoovalurPoovalur, Tiruppur – Tamil Nadu.
Parish Priest – Fr. Victor Anthony Raj.
Church Established – 1850.

Brief History:

St. Anthony’s Shrine at Poovalur is one of the ancient pilgrimage centers in the Coimbatore Diocese, established in 1850. The region’s Christian history traces back to Apostle Thomas on the west coast and St. Francis Xavier on the east coast, with subsequent evangelization by Jesuit missionaries including Robert de Nobili (1606-1656) and St. Arnaud (1675-1693). The shrine gained prominence through miracles attributed to St. Anthony. A notable incident occurred when authorities attempted to relocate the saint’s statue to another parish, but local residents of all faiths collectively protested, compelling the priests to abandon the transfer. Thousands of devotees from Kerala, nearby hill stations, and major cities visit on Tuesdays for special novenas and healing prayers. The feast of St. Anthony is celebrated on June 13.