Velankanni Festival

The Velankanni Festival of Tamil Nadu is surrounded by many mysterious legends. The most popular story is that some shipwrecked Portuguese sailors were saved miraculously from a terrible storm in the sea. After they had reached the shore, the local fishermen took them to a dilapidated chapel to thanks the god for saving their live. The sailors paid their tribute by establishing a permanent church. They worked on the improvement of the church with their subsequent visits.

The church was dedicated to Our Lady on the eighth day of the month of September. That was the beginning of the nine day long festival of Velankanni. Thousands of religious followers and devotees wearing orange robes visit the holy place where the ship landed. The divine church, which has earned the name – Lourdes of the East is well known for Virgin Mary's heavenly healing power.

The Marian shrine is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites of southern Asia. Serene and picturesque landscape embraces the chapel, which is bathed by the sea green waters of the Bay of Bengal. This out of the world set up, makes it a great tourists spot. Pilgrims and visitors from all over the country and even different parts of the world come to see the famed chapel. If you are traveling to Tamil Nadu and still have not visited the church, its high time you should.

Last Updated on 1/17/2011