Asia’s largest
Inaugurated
11 November 2026
Michelangelo’s masterpiece, rebuilt in cement on the shore of the Arabian Sea.
43ft
70+ ft with the cross
Graceover the sea
St. Jacob Forane Church, Pulluvila
Situated in Kochupally, Pulluvila, and built and maintained by St. Jacob Forane Church, this cement sculpture reimagines Michelangelo’s Vatican masterpiece on a colossal scale. It stands on the seashore of a beautiful coastal village, where a quiet lake meets the Arabian Sea, so the monument is framed by open water, sand and sky. A beacon of hope for the local fishing community, it welcomes visitors from around the world. Whether you come for the art, for prayer, or while travelling the Kerala coast, the Pulluvila Pietà offers a quiet moment you will remember.
Reborn
A Renaissance vision, carried into the Kerala coast
In 1499, Michelangelo Buonarroti sculpted the original Pietà, capturing the sorrow and peaceful acceptance of the Virgin Mary holding Christ. Centuries later, that same compassion has been set into the coastal landscape of South India. The Pulluvila Pietà is more than a replica. It carries classical Renaissance beauty into the grand scale of Kerala’s architectural heritage.
The people
Inaugurated & blessed by
V. D. Satheesan
Chief Minister of Kerala
Rev. Dr. Christudas R
Auxiliary Bishop, Trivandrum Latin Archdiocese
M. Vincent
MLA, Kovalam Constituency
Sculptor & parish priest
Devadathen
Sculptor (Shilpi)
Rev. Fr. Antony S.B
Parish Priest, St. Jacob Forane Church
Four years
Creating Asia’s largest Pietà took serious structural engineering and artistic precision. Sculptor Devadathen spent four years shaping this 43-foot work in cement, against coastal weather and the sheer physical challenge of the scale. Every fold of drapery and every anatomical detail was shaped by hand, so the figure carries the emotional weight of marble. With its cross, the monument rises past 70 feet, and it is built and maintained by St. Jacob Forane Church.
- The Pietà sculpture alone
- 0ft
- Total height with the cross
- 0+ft
- The sculptor's time on the work
- 0years
Plan yourvisit
- Location
- Kochupally, Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Hours
- Open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Sunset is the best time for photographs and soft light.
- Entry
- Free to the public.
Gettingthere
By air
25 km from Trivandrum International Airport, about a 45-minute drive.
By train
27 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.
By road
Take the scenic Vizhinjam–Poovar coastal road. Ample parking is available near the sculpture.
Nearby
Pulluvila is close to major tourist hubs. After the Pietà, visit the historic Vizhinjam Lighthouse, relax on Kovalam’s crescent beaches, or sample fresh Kerala seafood at the local harbour. Further along the coastal road, unwind at Poovar Beach, where the Neyyar river meets the sea. At Vizhinjam, the Azhimala Shiva Temple is home to the monumental seaside sculpture of Lord Shiva as Gangadhareshwara, rising about 58 feet over the waves.
Questions
Where is the Pulluvila Pietà located?
The Pietà stands at Kochupally, Pulluvila, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, on the seashore where a quiet lake meets the Arabian Sea, near Vizhinjam and Kovalam.
Is this the largest Pietà in Asia?
Yes. The Pulluvila Pietà is presented as Asia’s largest Pietà sculpture: a 43-foot cement work that rises past 70 feet with its cross, reimagining Michelangelo’s Pietà on a colossal scale.
Is it the world’s largest Pietà?
It is Asia’s largest Pietà and is believed to be the world’s largest Pietà sculpture. At 43 feet (70+ feet with the cross), it is far larger than Michelangelo’s original 1499 marble Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
How tall is the Pulluvila Pietà?
The sculpture is 43 feet high. Including the cross, the monument rises past 70 feet.
Who made the Pulluvila Pietà?
Sculptor (Shilpi) Devadathen spent four years shaping the work in cement. It is built and maintained by St. Jacob Forane Church, Pulluvila.
What are the visiting hours and entry fee?
The Pietà is open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM and entry is free. Sunset is the best time for photographs and soft light.
How do I reach the Pulluvila Pietà?
It is about 25 km from Trivandrum International Airport (around 45 minutes by road) and 27 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. Take the Vizhinjam–Poovar coastal road; parking is available near the sculpture.
What can I visit near the Pulluvila Pietà?
Nearby you can visit Vizhinjam Lighthouse, Kovalam beaches, Poovar Beach and the Azhimala Shiva Temple with its seaside Shiva sculpture.