Christians in Mangalore have honored members of three Hindu families who had protected their church from Muslim invaders more than two centuries ago.

Father Paul Pinto, parish priest of Our Lady of Remedies Church, honored the three with areca nut, beetle leaves and a bunch of plantains on Nov. 24 as part of an age-old tradition.

The three Hindu households had saved the Kirem Church from destruction in 1784 by Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan.  read more »