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This basilica is not only a highly visited pilgrim center, but also a tourist attraction. It has two colossal belfries built in gothic style. The church is 370 feet long east-west side and 180 feet wide along north-south side. The total plinth area of the church measures 25,000 square feet. The rear side of the Church has a tower measuring 260 feet in height.

Altars of the Church

As one enters the Church through the massive main door (elephant door) one notices the expansive nave that leads to the main altar. As he steps into the church and looks up, he finds, poised perpendicularly above him on the ceiling, the breath taking beautiful mural painting of the Holy Trinity. On both sides of the naves are a number of rock pillars wrapped in mosaic. Thousands can participate in the liturgy, occupying the nave, aisles, transepts and the balcony on both sides. The floor of the Church is paved with mosaic bricks and the whole church is gorgeously illuminated with varied varieties of electric lamps. The main altar of the church is about 100 feet high. There is a grand array of 10 altars, spread adjacent to the main one, fine altars on wither wing, all of them as grand and solemn as the main altar, but not in height. In the center of the main altar, is the statue of Our Lady of Dolours and sides of this statue, are two beautiful statues of Holy angels Raphael and Michael. Just below them there are the twelve apostles of Christ. The magnificent dome resting on four gigantic pillars is above the main altar. Inside the dome are painted in gorgeous colours of the Mother of dolours and pictures showing her seven Dolours. There are the pictures of the four Gospel writers in the four corners of the dome. In the front right corner of the main altar is installed the Episcopal throne - an elaborately carved sculptural marvel (It is noteworthy that H.H. Pope John Paul II was seated on this throne when he made his historic visit to Trichur on 7th February 1986). The beautifully engraved lectern which was sanctified by His holy touch and which is preserved as a memento of his visit to Trichur, adorns the front left corner of the main altar. On the right side of the main altar, there is a beautiful picture depicting the miracle of Jesus feeding 5000 people with two fish and five loaves. The other side shows the picture of Holy Mary's assumption. The ten altars to the right and left wings of the main altar are consecrated with the statues of St. Francis Xavier, Little flower, St Thomas the Apostle of Christ, Christ the King, The Holy Family, St. George, St. Joseph, St. Antony, St. Sebastian and St. Maria Gorethy. The statues of the Mother of Rosary in the altar in the end of the northern aisle are exquisite in their forms. There are two more altars under the belfries on both sides of the entrance of the Church. These altars are dedicated to St. Francis Assisi and St. Vincent De Paul. Thus there are in all fifteen altars in the Church.

Septic Cell Model Cemetery

Beneath the main altar of the Church can be seen tombs interring the mortal remains of bishops. It is in one of these tombs H. Ex. Bishop Vazhappilly, founder of the Church, rests eternally. On the southern wing of the Church there are crypts for burying priests. One of the belfries of the Church has eight bell carillon which chimes melodiously. The 'Septic-cell model cemetery', the largest of its kind in India, stands in the northern side of the rear of the church. Perpetual Adoration Day by day, people in large numbers come to pray at the Perpetual Adoration Centre. On all Fridays, believers assemble in the church to participate in the Novena of the Mother of Dolours. The main feast of the church is celebrated on the last Sunday of November every year. This feast is considered as the second biggest festival of Thrissur. The landscape of Thrissur includes a mighty monument of architectural skill, sculptural excellence and the sturdy faith of the Catholics of Trichur, attracting the solemn devotion of a large number of visitors including foreigners and art-lovers.