Medak Church – The Revered Structure in Telangana State
Towering above the Medak Landscape, the Medak Cathedral is one of the area’s biggest landmarks and a very famous Tourist attraction of Telangana State. Consecrated in 1924, the cathedral was the inspiration of Reverend Charles Walker Posnett, a Methodist Christian, who laid its foundation in 1914. A modest structure with an area of 1000 acres gradually evolved into a massive cathedral about 100 feet in width and 200 feet in length and with a seating capacity of 5000 people.
The Medak Church design reflects a deep influence of the Gothic revival style. Six different colors of mosaic tiles, imported from Britain, grace its walls. Its flooring has been laid by Italian masons brought in from Bombay. The whole structure rests on massive gray stone pillars.
The ornate stained glass windows which grace the interiors of the church depict stories from the life of Jesus. Some of the most noteworthy include the Nativity in the west transept, the Crucifixion in the east transept, and the Ascension behind the altar. The three amazing piece of art is also famous as the “gospel trilogy” The stained glass windows are the biggest attractions for tourists who come to visit the Cathedral. The pictorial glasses serve as a book for all those who cannot read. Each window bears inscriptions in English, Hindi and Telugu.
The roof of the Medak cathedral is crowned by the Bell tower. The approximate height of the tower is about 175 ft and is the tallest structure in the area. Its height had been the cause of great envy for the Nizam of Hyderabad as he wanted the Charminar to be the tallest structure. Therefore, he has also been known to have made an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the height of the cathedral.
Built of pristine white granite, the Cathedral is the seat of the bishop in Medak of the Church of South India. It is one of the largest churches in the whole of Telangana region. It also supervises the Medak Diocese, which is the largest in Asia and second largest in the world after the Vatican. It is also known to be the best and the largest of churches in India.
More than its aesthetic appeal, the Medak Church has a deeper significance in human life. In 1914, when the area went through a devastating famine, Reverend Charles Walker Posnett launched the Food for work programme. Under this, he promised food to workers who would contribute in building the church. This first initiative went a long way in building the bond between the church and the poor.
The Medak Church witnesses huge footfalls of devotees during Christmas who throng to its portals even from neighbouring states like Karnataka and Maharashtra. The beauty of the church is further enhanced with the Christmas celebrations as it lights up to celebrate the birth of the Lord. The Medak Cathedral is an intrinsic part of Medak history and culture and should be a must see for every tourist. Every year thousands of Tourists and devotees visit this place. One has to visit this known Telangana Tourist Place to feel the significance of Medak Cathedral.
Location: Medak Town, Telangana State
Distance to Medak Church:
– Distance from Hyderabad MGBS is 98 Kms (2 hours drive)
– Distance from Lingampally is 80 Kms (1.5 hours drive)
– Distance from Siddipet is 70 Kms (1.5 hours drive)
– Distance from Medak Town bus stop is less than 1 Km
– Distance from Nizamabad is 106 Kms (2.25 hours drive)
Nearby Attractions:
– Medak Fort
– Pocharam Reservoir, Medak district
– Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary
– Koti Lingeshwara Swamy Temple, Siddipet
– Jharasangam Temple near Zaheerabad, Medak,
Medak Church Timings: The timings for the morning and general services are as follows:
– 7 am for Sunday, morning service
– 9:30 am for Sunday, general service
In addition to this, the cathedral is also open for public viewing and prayer everyday from 7 am to 6 pm.
How to reach Medak Church:
– As Medak does not have a train station and Hyderabad is the nearest one at 80 km, tourists can reach Medak and avail private transport to reach the cathedral.
– Plenty of Bus ply from Hyderbabad MGBS to Medak everyday. BUs frequency to Medka is one in every 20 min starting from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Useful Contact Numbers:
– State Tourism Contact Number: 1800-42-545454