About Velankanni
Velankanni - Lourdes Of The East
Velankanni is a paradise with many jewels and gems. This beautiful destination in Tamil Nadu is utterly serene, natural, and distant from the hullaballoo of city life. The place is ideal for a pilgrimage tour as well as a beach holiday, making it a must-visit when planning a tour to Tamil Nadu.
Popular Place To Visit In Velankanni
VELANKANNI FESTIVAL
Every year, from 28 August to 8 September, a festival is celebrated at Velankanni Church. As rituals, pilgrims take a bath in the sea water, shave their heads, and walk on their knees or roll up to the shrine. These 10 days are considered highly auspicious in Velankanni.
CHURCH OF MOTHER MARRY
Velankanni, along with being a popular travel destination in Tamil Nadu, is also home to several Catholic pilgrimage sites. And the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is one of its gems when it comes to prominent religious sites in Velankanni for tourists. The establishment of this popular church is the result of three miracles: the curing of lame buttermilk vendors, the apparition of Mary, and the Christ Child. Erected in the Gothic style of architecture, the church traces its history back to the 16th century and came into recognition in 1962 when Pope John XXIII decided to raise its status to basilica. Since then, it has been one of the most eminent tourist attractions in Velankanni. Devoted to Our Lady of Good Health, the shrine not only represents Catholicism but is also a place for Protestants, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhism, and other religions. Moreover, the church also organizes its weekend and daily masses in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, keeping both native and tourist pilgrims in mind. As far as the church's attractions are considered, there is an idol of Mother Mary, in which she is adorned with the Indian sari, and another larger chapel.
