Velankanni Church in Tamil Nadu - Things to Know Before Visiting

Located across the Bay of Bengal, Velankanni Church plays a pivotal role in the hearts of Christians. Also popular as the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, the church's courtyard holds numerous magical stories. People from all over the world visit this divine church.

Could you imagine someone claiming to have seen Mother Mary? It sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? Yet, that's the remarkable tale behind Velankanni Church, where miraculous encounters date back to the 16th century.

1. The First Apparation

In May 1570, a weary shepherd boy rested beside a pond on Anna Pillai Street after delivering milk, only to be awakened by a celestial light, revealing a lady and child.

He offered milk, and upon returning home, convinced his sceptical master when the milk pot overflowed. Returning to the pond, only the boy could see the Lady, leading to the sanctification of the spot as Matha Kulam or Our Lady’s Tank.

2. Second Apparition

In the wake of the initial apparition, an impoverished mother and her handicapped son resided in Vailankanni. One day, as the son sold buttermilk under a Banyan tree, a radiant lady emerged from a divine light, requesting buttermilk and instructing him to inform the Catholic priest in Nagapattinam of her appearance.

Miraculously, the boy's legs were healed, leading to the prompt construction of a chapel in Vailankanni with the community's support.

3. Third Apparition

In the 17th century, Portuguese sailors sailing from Macao to Columbo encountered a fierce storm in the Bay of Bengal. They prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, promising to build a church wherever they landed.

Miraculously, the storm ceased, guiding their ship to land near Vailankanni on September 8th. They fulfilled their vow by transforming a small chapel into a grand stone-built structure adorned with intricate biblical designs on their subsequent visit, showcasing their faith and divine guidance.

All three apparitions led to the construction of this magnificent structure, popularly known as Velankanni Church.

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The Basilica is constructed in a stunning structure of Gothic style. Over the years, several modifications led to a dreamy church as it appears from a distance.

• The building is a massive, painted white exterior with red tile roofs in Gothic and Portuguese styles. The southern part of the church was extended in 1928, and the northern part in 1933.
• The Shrine of Baslica has three chapels: a Church Museum, an Offering Centre, a Priest's Residence, Vaulankanni Beach, Stations of the Rosary, Our Lady’s Tank, and the Mega Mahal Shrine.
• The Main altar is beautifully adorned with life stories of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary. Several other shrines are dedicated to different saints and religious figures.
• The interiors are designed with beautiful stained glass windows that swiftly depict scenes from the Holy Bible. The walls are filled with various Virgin Mary paintings and Jesus Christ paintings.
• The surroundings of the shrine are spacious and epic and people visit with utmost devotion to calm their minds in the beautiful ambience.

1. Best Time to Visit Velankanni Church

The best time to visit Velankanni Church is during the annual festival organised by authorities in September. The other best months can be from November to February.

2. Velankanni Church Location

Velankanni Church is located in the town of Velankanni, Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

3. Holy Mass Timings in Velankanni Church

Mass timings of Velankanni Church differ according to the days, languages and occasions.

• Weekdays - 5:40 am (Morning prayer), 6 am (Tamil Mass), 7 am (Tamil in lower Basilica), 8 am (Telugu), 9 am (Malayalam), 10 am (English), 11 am (Hindi), 12 pm (Tamil in Lower Basilica)
• Sundays - 7:30 am (Tamil), 5 am (Tamil in Lower Basilica), 6 pm (Tamil in Lower Basilica)
• Saturdays - 7 am ( Tamil at Our Lady’s Tank), 5:45 am ( Mass in Tamil)
• First Friday - 6 am (Tamil in Upper Basilica)
• First Saturday- 5:30 pm (Tamil in Lower Basilica)
• Second Saturday - 9 am (Healing and Fasting Prayer)
• Third Saturday - 7 am
• Fourth Saturday - 6:30 am (Tamil), 8 pm (Children's Evangelization Programme)
• The month of May -  Our Lady’s Car Procession

The church organises a festival of Our Lady of Health specifically on 8th September annually. It is the most famous festival that is grandly celebrated in the church.

4. How to Reach Velankanni Church?

Velankanni Church is well-connected by road, and cabs, taxis, and buses are easily accessible. Some of the ways are as follows:

• Nearest Airport to Velankanni Church: Tiruchirapalli is the nearest airport to Velankanni, which is 165 km away. You can book a cab or taxi to reach the airport.
• Nearest Railway Station to Velankanni Church: Nagapattam is the nearest railway station to Velankanni Church, 12 km away.
• Nearest Bus Station to Velankanni Church: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and State Express Transport Corporation are the private operators which more convenient to book.

5. Entry Fee of Annai Velankanni Shrine, Nagapattinam

There is no entry fee for visiting the church. However, donations are always welcomed in the church.

6. Velankanni Church Nearby Places to Visit

Velankanni offers a diversity of beautiful places to visit. Here are a few places near Velankanni Church.

1. Vellankanni Beach
2. Vellayar Beach
3. Velankanni Church Museum
4. Pongu Sani Temple
5. Nagapattinam
6. Nagore Dargah

• For centuries, it has been believed that the people of Velankanni have experienced the divine force that protects them from evil and heals the sick. Hence, one of the names of the churches is “Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health.”
• The Church is popular with many names, such as Velankanni Church, Lourdes of the East, and Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health.
• The miracles of Mother Mary of Velankanni are famous not only in the town but also all over the country, as these unnatural miracles are often experienced in the town.

Velankanni Church is filled with stories seamlessly depicting the Power of the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Over the centuries, there have been many incidents where the Virgin Mary has saved lives in Velankanni and healed the sick. Hence, the church has been one of the most visited pilgrimages over the years.