Velankanni Church

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as “Lourdes of the East” and the Velankanni Church, is one of the most popular pilgrimages on the Bay of Bengal. The church is around 350 km south of Chennai. “Velankanni" means Virgin of Velai, the town. 

It was built around the 16th century after multiple apparitions were reported in the village. Since then, the church has become a site of reverence, and thousands of devotees and tourists visit the place to seek blessings.

The miraculous history of Velankanni Church, Nagapattinam, began centuries ago. For the first time, Our Lady with the infant is believed to have appeared before a Hindu boy who was delivering milk. She asked for milk for the infant, to which the boy agreed. Even after giving her the milk, the tank was full. Our Lady appeared again in front of the boy, and now that place is “Matha Kulam”. 

During the second apparition, Our Lady of Velankanni Church is believed to have appeared with the infant before a crippled boy and asked for buttermilk. After offering the same, the crippled boy was healed instantly. To honour this, a wealthy man built a thatched chapel here known as “Arokia Matha”. 

Portuguese sailors built the Velankanni Church during the 16th century. A major storm was approaching when the Portuguese prayed to Our Lady of Good Health and were saved.

Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine of Our Lady of Health every year. If you are also planning, knowing location details can be helpful. 

• The Annai Velankanni Church is located around 12 kilometres south of Nagapattinam. It is a town on the coast of the Bay of Bengal

• The shrine is also 350 kilometres South of Chennai.

Before visiting the shrine, make sure to check Velankanni Church Mass timings. Here are the details of the shrine timings:

 

 

Velankanni Church is open year-round. However, the best time to visit Annai Vailankanni Church can be:

 

• September to February

From September to February, you can experience pleasant weather in Nagapattinam. It is also one of the peak seasons to visit the shrine. 

Typically, from 29th August to 08th September, the feast of Our Lady of Good Health is also organised in the shrine. So, visiting during these months can be a good choice.

 

• March to May

March to May is the summer time here, and you may experience hot weather. The crowd may not be very large, and so, if you want to visit a shrine at a less crowded time, this could be the right time.

 

• June to August 

The monsoon typically hits the region from June to August. So, you may witness heavy rain during these months. However, it also brings a peaceful vibe and beautiful sightseeing opportunities.

Annai Vailankanni Shrine holds both religious and cultural significance among tourists and devotees.

 

• Religious Importance

Vailankanni Church is one of the most popular shrines in India. Being a Marian shrine, the place is a pilgrimage site for Christians and devotees of all sects. Every year, the shrine witnesses several devotees seeking blessings for good health. Our Lady is believed to heal the sick and help the needy.

 

• The Annual Feast

The shrine of Our Lady is also known as “Lourdes of the East” and conducts an annual feast every year. It is conducted from 29th August to 8th September and is a grand procession. Devotees believe the place answers each prayer and heals people from within.

Velankanni Church mass timings begin at 5:45 AM. Check out the details of mass timing so you can plan accordingly:

 

 

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is open to everyone. The shrine charges no registration or entry fees from visitors and devotees. So, you can visit the church during visiting hours without having to pay for it.

 

Donations are always honoured and appreciated at the shrine. Visitors may donate whatever they feel like.

As a visitor, you must keep in mind a few things before visiting Velankanni church, like:

 

 

 

Around Velankanni Church, there are several popular places to explore. Some of these are:

 

• Nagore Dargah

Nagore Dargah is just 18km away from Velankanni Church and is a popular Sufi shrine. You may visit here during your trip to the church. It is known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful vibe.

 

• Velankanni Beach

At a walking distance from the Velankanni Church is Velankanni beach. The peaceful shoreline, the ocean's waves, and the beautiful sunsets are amazing to watch and enjoy.

 

• Sikkal Murugan Temple

At a distance of 25km from Velankanni Church is the Sikkal Murugan Temple. Thousands of devotees and visitors pay a visit to this popular temple every year. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is known for vibrant festivals.