Poondi Madha Shrine is a highly revered shrine, situated at Poondi, about 35 km away from
Thanjavur, in
Tamil Nadu. It is regarded as one of the Roman Catholic Pilgrim centre similar to Velankanni.
The church, built by the Italian Jesuit missionary - Veeramamunivar, is dedicated to Mother Mary. This imposing structure is a combination of Gothic and French architecture. The remarkable feature is the row of statues of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, saints such as Francis Xavier and also one of Veeramamunivar (Constantine Joseph Beschi) on the facade, above the portico.
Accommodation is provided to the pilgrims by church authorities. Budalore Railway Station, on the main railway line between Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur, is the nearest railhead (10 km).
