Padri Ki Haveli Explained

Building Name:Visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary
Location:Patna
Geo:25.611°N 85.144°W
Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic
Region:Magadh
State:India
Province:Bihar
Municipality:Patna Municipal Corporation
Status:Cathedral
Heritage Designation:Oldest Church of Bihar
Leadership:Dr. Victor Alphonse (General Secretary, Parish Council).
Architecture:yes
Architect:Tirreto
Architecture Type:Cathedral
Architecture Style:Neoclassical
Year Completed:First build – 1713
Major redisgn – 1772
Construction Cost:700 in 1772

Padri-Ki-Haveli ("Mansion of Padre"), also known as the Visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary, is the oldest church in Bihar. When Roman Catholics arrived in Bihar, they built a small church in 1713 at a place now known as Padri-ki-Haveli.[1]

The current church was re-designed by a Venetian architect Tirreto in 1772. He came from Kolkata to design the church. The foundation stone of this church has a dimension of 70 feet of length, 40 feet of width and 50 feet of height.[2]

Nawab Mir Qasim destroyed the church because of the quarrel with the British traders on 25 June 1763. Ancient records were destroyed and burnt consequently. In 1857, during the Great Indian Rebellion, the church was very damaged again.

Today, the monument stands as an architectural wonder with intricate details present in few churches in India.

Notes

Notes and References

  1. http://www.bihareebabu.com/christian.htm Christianity in Bihar
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20090410055421/http://patna.bih.nic.in/html/padrikihaveli.htm PADRI KI HAVELI
  3. http://www.tsiindia.com/east-india/padri-ki-haveli-bihar.html Large Cathedral Bell and architecture of Padri Ki Haveli church in Bihar
  4. http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/oct/20teresa.htm Patna room still houses Mother's memories