India Christian Heritage 2026: Saint Thomas, Kerala, Goa, Velankanni, Mumbai and Bandel Pilgrim Guide
Browse more guides: India travel | Asia destinations India Christian Heritage 2026: Saint Thomas, Kerala, Goa, Velankanni, Mumbai and Bandel Pilgrim Guide TL;DR I planned three trips across Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal to follow India's Christian story from the 52 CE Saint Thomas landing at Cranganore to the 2 million pilgrims at Velankanni. Christians form 2.3 percent of India (28 million), Kerala 18 percent, Goa 25 percent, and Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya all above 86 percent. This guide covers four pilgrim circuits, costs in INR and USD, three itineraries, eight FAQs and phrases in five languages. Why Visit India Christian Heritage in 2026 One fact surprises most visitors I meet: Christianity reached India in 52 CE, when the Apostle Saint Thomas stepped ashore at Cranganore in Kerala, decades before it took root in most of Europe. I followed that story across five regions in 2026. The 22nd Solemn Exposition of the relics of Saint Francis Xavie...