Destination guide
Discover Bela Church
At a glance
Why this place stands out
Bela Church, or Our Lady of Sorrows Church, is an 1890 Gothic Roman Catholic church in Badiadka, Kasaragod, recognised as the district’s oldest church.
Bela Church, formally known as Our Lady of Sorrows Church, stands in Bela village within Badiadka Grama Panchayat of Kasaragod district. The Kasaragod district administration identifies the present Gothic-style Roman Catholic church as having been constructed in 1890 and describes it as the oldest church in the district. Keralam Tourism also connects the local Catholic tradition with Konkani families who moved through the region during periods of political upheaval and later established the church at its present location.
The pointed Gothic character and historic parish identity make Bela different from many churches built in Keralam’s more familiar Syrian Christian architectural traditions. It remains an active place of worship rather than a museum, with an annual religious festival forming part of parish life. Visitors interested in church history, architecture and Kasaragod’s multilingual border culture can include Bela on a route through Badiadka and the northern part of the district.
Nammude Keralam