St. Philomena’s Cathedral, Mysore

St. Philomena's Cathedral, Mysore tickets: which one to buy

Saint Philomena's Cathedral stands on the northern side of Mysore, now Mysuru, in the state of Karnataka, southern India, about two kilometres from the Mysore Palace, and entry is free. It is one of the largest churches in India and one of the tallest, and it is a popular stop on tours of Mysore, which usually combine the cathedral with the Mysore Palace, the Chamundi Hill temple, the Devaraja Market and the Brindavan Gardens.

Mysore is about three hours from Bengaluru by road or train. The cathedral is an active church, and visitors are welcome outside mass times; shoes may need to be removed in the crypt. Photography inside is usually restricted. The cathedral's twin spires are visible from far away, and the gardens around it are pleasant. Auto-rickshaws are the easiest way to travel between the sights of Mysore. Photography inside is generally not allowed, but the exterior can be photographed freely.

Visiting St. Philomena's Cathedral, Mysore: what to see

A small church was built here in the nineteenth century, and the present cathedral was built between 1936 and 1956, designed by the French architect Daly in a neo-Gothic style inspired by the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, laid the foundation stone, reflecting the tolerance of the ruling family. The cathedral's twin spires rise about 53 metres, and the church has a cross-shaped plan with a nave, transepts and choir. Inside, stained glass windows made in France show scenes from the life of Christ, including the Nativity, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

The crypt beneath the altar holds a statue of Saint Philomena, a young martyr of the early church, and a relic of the saint, obtained from Italy, which is venerated by pilgrims. The cathedral was declared a minor basilica. The cathedral's facade has pointed arches and rose windows, and the twin spires are decorated with pinnacles. The interior's columns support ribbed vaults. The altar is carved from marble, and side altars hold statues of saints. The crypt is reached by steps behind the altar and is lit by candles. The grounds include a small garden and a grotto. The cathedral holds masses in Kannada, Tamil and English. It is lit up at night during festivals.

St. Philomena's Cathedral, Mysore opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily, with masses in the morning and evening. Mysore has a pleasant climate for much of the year, with the monsoon bringing rain from June to September and the coolest season from October to February. The Dasara festival in September or October is the city's great celebration, when the Mysore Palace is lit with thousands of bulbs and a grand procession passes through the streets.

The feast of Saint Philomena in August brings pilgrims. Christmas is celebrated with decorations. Allow about half an hour for the cathedral and crypt, and combine it with the palace, especially on Sunday evenings when the palace is illuminated. The Devaraja Market, a short auto-rickshaw ride away, is famous for its flowers, fruits and incense.