Adaikkala Madha Shrine, Elakurichi

Adaikala Madha Shrine, Elakurichi is a Catholic church located in the village of Elakurichi near Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, India. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge, also known as Adaikkala Madha in the Tamil language.

History
The church was built in the 18th century by French Missionary Constanzo Beschi, popularly known as Veeramamunivar in Tamil. The current structure of the church was rebuilt in 1971. The church has a unique blend of Indian and European architectural styles.

Madha Kulam (Sacred Pond)
King of Ariyalur Arengappa Malavarayar affected with an incurable cancerous mole (Raja Pilavai) approached veeramamunivar to heal him.

Munivar knowing fully well his inability to do so, sought the refuge of Mother Mary. Heeding the prayers, our blessed mother brought forth a miraculous spring like in Lourdes.

He applied the soil mixed with the spring water on the incurable mole. On the very same night, he got cured. In order to thank for the favors received the king donated 175 Acres of land on which stands the present shrine.

Devotional activities
The shrine is famous for its annual feast, which is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of December. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the state and the country come to the shrine to participate in the celebrations. The feast is a time of great joy and devotion, with many people offering prayers and performing various acts of devotion.