Simala

Yesterday, we had a journey to what a place called Simala. It is a shrine dedicated to Our Lady who made a miracle a few years ago. This is my second time going there with family, and the first time happened four years ago.

The first time I came here, there was only a church. But now, they built an extension (the one with the towers). The shrine looks like a castle from afar. 

As you are going to the shrine, there is big statue of Our Lady that stood facing the church. There is also an arch with a crown atop as you are going there. 

Going to the church needs a stair which is on the right one. The one with a straight path is for some pilgrims who are unable to walk. On the other hand, the left stairs is for exit. 

We head to the right stair and go to an area where candles are lit up and a small space for writing our letters, petitions and thanksgiving. 

Different candle colors with different stories

We write some letters and drop it on a box. We also lit up some candles. The candles are tall and there are different colors with different purpose/petitions, for example, the red one is for Love, the green one is for exams or financial business, or gold for good health.

The candle area and the petition area is just beside the church. 

The church altar

Anyway, as we go to an area where we could see the Miraculous image, there are cabinets where there are testimonials came from people who had visited the place. Some are successful in their studies while some are healed. Before going to see the statue, it is a need to take off the shoes and slippers. 

That day, there are only a few people visited the shrine. The queue is not that long as well. After seeing the image, we headed to an area or gallery where there are different images of Mother Mary in all parts of the world. 

There is also a display of some things that are significant during the miracle of the Miraculous Mother Mary. We go downstairs later on and go back to where we left our shoes and slippers. 

Going there is truly an amazing journey.