Neendakara

St. Sebastian’s Church

Neendakara is an important fishing harbour in Kerala set near the es- tuary where Ashtamudi lake embraces the Arabian Sea. There is also a port here. There was a Christian community here from the early centuries. It is believed that St. Thomas Christians settled down here in the ninth century. There was yet another migration from Quilon to Neendakara in the fourteenth century. Portuguese missionaries min- istered here from 1520 onwards. Franciscan missionaries also visited Neendakara. In 1558, Neendakara was erected a separate parish. The ancient Church gave way to the present Church in 1983. A lower Primary School was established here in 1899. Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa have a convent here (Our Lady of Fatima Convent). They es- tablished a High School for girls, St. Agnes GHS in 1982. They also conduct a free boarding for destitute girls. The Catholic Orphanages’ Council has its headquarters in Neenadakara. The Shrine of St. Jude near the National High Way attracts devotees in large numbers. The Order of the Discalced Carmelites have a house (Carmel Bhavan) here where spiritual guidance is provided. The Confraternity Feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated with pomp and gaiety.