St Anthony's Church

Lonely Planet review

One of Colombo's most interesting shrines is St Anthony's Church. Outside it looks like a typical Portuguese Catholic church, but inside the atmosphere is distinctly subcontinental. The queues of devotees offering puja (prayers or offerings) to a dozen ornate statues behind glass cases recall a Hindu temple; a statue of St Anthony endowed with miraculous qualities is the centre of devotions.

Mothers often bring pubescent daughters here to pray for protection from malevolent spirits that might take advantage of the girl's nascent sexuality. The church seems to be as popular with worried Hindu and Buddhist mothers as it is with Catholics. Photography is frowned upon here.