St.Thomas embedded this holy cross made of wood and instructed the people to pray the cross. St.Thomas marked the letters INRI on the top portion of the cross. As per the story engraved on the wall of church, due to a sandstorm the church was covered. Later in 1798 the church was again discovered by a Shepard boy miraculously. The Church is called Manal Matha Shrine or Our Lady of Sand.
According to legend, Christianity arrived in South India around AD 52 through St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ. The church is believed to have been consecrated by St. Thomas the Apostle, circa 63 AD. The beautiful wooden structure is a hidden gem in the quaint town of Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari district.
