Velankanni Church is one of the most popular pilgrim centers of South India. People of various faiths visit this church. Velankanni is located in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Velankanni is on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal, around 350 km south of Chennai and around 12 km south of Nagapattinam. The Pope of the Vatican City has tagged Velankanni as a ‘holy city’.

Velankanni Church is granted the status of Basilica, which is the greatest honor for a Church. “Basilica” is a Greek word that means a “Royal Hall”.

Legend

During the 16th century, Our Lady carrying her infant son appeared to a Hindu milk boy who was resting under a Banyan tree. She asked for milk for her baby. The boy gave her. As a result, the boy reached the Hindu customer, to whom the milk was to be delivered, late. He apologized and narrated the incident to the customer. On seeing the pot, the man found it to be full of milk. He sensed a miracle and went with the boy to the same spot. Our Lady appeared again. As the residents of the local Catholic communitylearnt about this, they were elated. Today, the spot where Our Lady appeared is called Lady’s Tank or “Matha Kulam”.

A few years later, Our Lady appeared again, this time to a crippled boy selling buttermilk at a public square on the outskirts of Vailankanni village. She asked for buttermilk for her baby. She asked the boy to visit a nearby town of Nagapattinam and inform a certain rich Catholic man about her appearance. The boy did so, not realizing that Our Lady healed his crippled leg miraculously. The Catholic man already had a dream earlier night to build a chapel for Our Lady. When the boy and the man returned to the spot, Our Lady appeared again. The man built a chapel and, today, it is a holy place called “Arokia Matha” or Mother of Good Health.

A few more years later, Our Merciful Mother rescued several Portuguese merchant sailors from a bad storm that had wrecked their ship. On reaching the shore of Vailankanni, the merchants were guided to the thatched chapel by local fishermen. The merchants paid tribute and showed their gratitude to Our Lady by constructing a small permanent chapel. They improved the chapel in every visit.

History

According to the historical data available, Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni came into existence in the 16th century. In September 1771, Vailankanni was granted the status of Parish. The years 1920 and 1933 witnessed the renovation of the beautiful shrine facing the East.

The shrine got the status of “Basilica” on November 3, 1962, by His Holiness Pope John the XXIII. Reasons for the shrine getting this status include the innumerable miracles taking place in Vailankanni, the appearances of Our Lady, the striking architecture of the church, and the brilliance of the shrine.

Architecture

Vailankanni’s famous shrine Basilica of our Lady of health attracts swarms of pilgrims from around the world. Velankanni Church features an extended Basilica. It has two floors. Tourists can see the statue of Jesus Christ here.

What attracts the most is the Gothic style of architecture of this Church, which, itself, is a striking building painted in white. Roof of the church features red tiles, which create a beautiful contrast with white walls. The church exudes pure and positive ambience.

Tourists can also find shrine of Our Lady of Sorrow. It depicts sorrowing Mother with baby Jesus in her hand.

There is a museum opposite to the Basilica. It features a wide variety of exhibits. The museum also displays precious offerings by devotees. Walls on either sides exhibit Biblical incidents that create intrigue and admiration among tourists.

Church Festivals

Velankanni Festival starts from August 29 and goes on till December 8, during which the place becomes lively and decorated. The annual Feast of Our Lady of Good Health is celebrated on September 8 in memory of the safe arrival of Portuguese merchant sailors and the birthday of Our Lady.

Days between August 29 and September 8 are full of fanfare and preparation. A rough estimate of people attending the festival touches the 1.5 million mark. Para liturgical, special liturgical and novenas services are carried out in the church during this time.

Church Timings

The Church is open from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm.

Best Time to Visit

Tourists must come here during the Velankanni Festival, although all the months are conducive.

How to Reach

Vailankanni is well connected to the entire country through road and rail.

• The nearest airports are Tiruchirapalli and Chennai.
• The nearest railway station to Velankanni is Nagapattinam, at a distance of 11 km.
• Tourists can get buses from Chennai, Chidambaram, Pondicherry, Madurai, Thanjavur and Trichy. Buses run frequently at every 15 minutes from Nagapattinam.