Description:
Manapad located around 70 km from Tirunelveli and 18 km south of Tiruchendur, is a predominantly Roman Catholic coastal village. It is one of the first places to be visited by St. Francis Xavier in 1542 when he initiated missionary activity on the Fishery coast. He is said have lived and prayed in a cavern on the seaward face of a cliff. Holy Cross Church close to the sea was built in the year 1581. This church has what is believed to be a fragment of the true cross of Jerusalem. Thousands congregate during the festival season from 1st to 14th September every year when the cross is publicly displayed.
