St. Joseph's Cathedral Hyderabad

St. Joseph's Cathedral is located in Gun foundry area of Hyderabad and is one of the most beautiful cathedrals. It looks absolutely stunning with its ornate architecture and five giant bells in an open bell tower atop the cathedral. While the belfry is vaguely roomier, the steps are not advised for anyone with the faintest stirrings of unsteadiness. Skip the idea of climbing up the dilapidated stairs in case you get claustrophobic. But all the rickety stairs and dicey perpendicular ladders are worth trotting up for a breath-taking view of the city and the regal bells.

The central hall of this sacred place is such an extended space that it can accommodate 500 people at a time for congregation. The giant bells of this cathedral have been brought all the way from Italy and were attached to this legendary construction in the year 1892. These bells have been specially tuned so that a number of hymns can be played on it. In the alcove inside the Cathedral, one can find an imitation of the 'Pieta' by Michelangelo.

The bells have always been considered as an important part of the cathedral. Not only are they sacred, but also it was believed that church bells are safeguard against lightning and tempests and so the bells were rung dynamically during an approaching storm to warn people. In olden days, when watches were not popular, bells were rung to indicate time. The blessing of bells, a ritual to consecrate the bells is like an exorcism wherein the evil spirits are driven out before the bells are put in church. This tradition has been kept alive till date and the priest first purifies any new bells that are to be put in the cathedral. There are definite rules regarding the number of bells to be put - five or more are allowed for a cathedral and two or more for a parish church.