St. Lawrence Shrine, Minor basilica in Karkala, India.
St. Lawrence Shrine is a basilica featuring Gothic-style architecture, situated among green landscapes on Karkala's outskirts in Karnataka. The building serves a community of around 1,800 believers and includes a school and orphanage alongside the main church structure.
The shrine was founded in 1759 and remains tied to the persecution history of regional Christians. After a period under Tipu Sultan's rule, Christians returned and rebuilt the structure.
The shrine draws crowds during the Attur Jatre festival, where devotees gather for religious ceremonies and pass down traditional practices. These customs remain central to how the local community expresses and maintains its faith.
The site is accessible to visitors and set in a green area outside town where you can take your time exploring. Its proximity to community facilities like the school creates an active, everyday atmosphere.
The shrine received Minor Basilica status in 2016, a recognition that set it apart among India's religious sites. This elevation reflects its continuing importance within the local and national faith community.
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