Velankani church-a divine abode
by church
It is located close to Queens Inn on the sandy shores of Bay of Bengal. Velankanni Church is considered as one of the holiest Christian pilgrimage destinations in India. Declared as the holy city by the Pope, it draws devotees in large number from all over the world.Annually, 20 million pilgrims flock to the shrine from all over India and abroad
Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
Velankanni has one of the country’s biggest Catholic pilgrimage centres, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Devoted to Our Lady of Good Health, it is popularly known as the “Lourdes of the East”. It is said that Virgin Mary appeared here along with Baby Jesus around the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century, after which Velankanni became a revered site for the Christian community.The church building was raised to the status of basilica in 1962 .
Miracles…
The church’s founding is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and Jesus to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the survival of Portuguese sailors assaulted by a violent sea storm.
Architecture
The Basilica is built in the Gothic style of architecture. The Shrine Basilica contains three chapels, as well as Our Lady’s Tank, Church Museum, Priests’ Residence, Offering Center, Stations of the Cross, Stations of the Rosary, Shrine Mega Mahal and Velankanni Beach. The building is painted in white, except for the roof that is made of red tiles.
In 1933 the Shrine was expanded with two new wings, to the right and to the left of the ‘Main Altar’, meeting the nave at right angles.
A spacious vestry was provided immediately behind the altar. Thus the entire sacred edifice began to assume the shape of a Latin Cross. Right over the center of the ancient main altar was the miraculous image of Our Lady of Good Health.The illuminated arch stood to show the way to eager pilgrims who sought the protection of Mary.
Annual Festival
An estimated 3 million people visit the shrine during its annual festival from 29 August to 8 September. The 11-day annual festival concludes with the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary on 8 September.
Devotees all over the world
Velankanni is the most important destination and almost the synthesis of all Marian Sanctuaries for the pilgrims of the world. The crowds of pilgrims come here regardless of creeds and languages. Our Lady of Velankanni devotions down through the centuries have proved the Shrine to be of divine origin and has assumed international character. Mary, the focus of unity at Velankanni, is a clear proof of international, multicultural, and religious harmony.
Velankanni has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY – Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojanascheme of Government of India.
Queens Inn is just a km away and our hotel staff will guarantee premium service based on your requests.
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