Devotees flock to the Virgin Mary of Vellankani from all corners of India and South Asia. Millions of people gather at Vellankani for the festival, which is marked by the devotees taking ritual dips in the sea
 
This is the land where the devout come for salvation. The power of the Virgin Mary of Vellankani is such that her devotees flock to her from all corners of India and South Asia. Whether to pray to her or honour her, invoke her favour or celebrate her glory, there is a unique power in this church.

This Mecca of South Asian Christianity is believed to have been born from three miracles. The place got its reputation for curing maladies from the second miracle, when the Virgin cured a lame boy. And from the Virgin’s miraculous rescue of the sinking Portuguese ship came the vibrant Vellankani Festival, held each year between the August 29 and September 8 to celebrate the miracle.

Millions of people gather at Vellankani for the festival, which is marked by the devotees taking ritual dips in the sea. Some even donate their hair to the shrine. But of all, the most overwhelming proof of devotion is the sight of people crawling on their knees or rolling all the way to the shrine.

Myriad voices raised in hymn within the resounding interior of the church; smells of incense mingling with the jasmine flower; the beautiful, bedecked idol of Our Lady with her radiant child in her arms; and the Basilica itself bathed in lights, glowing like an ethereal being against the dark, inky night sky. And the magical essence of Vellankani is complete.

Getting There

Vellankani, otherwise known as Velangani, or Vailankani, is situated in Tamil Nadu in the South of India. It lies specifically on the Coromandel Coast, as the Eastern Coast of India is otherwise known. A mere 14 km south of the city of Nagapattinam and 350km from Chennai, the state capital, Vellankani enjoys an equable climate.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Trichy, which is well connected with all the major cities of the country.

By Rail: Nagapattinam, about 10 km away from Vellankani, is the nearest railway station.

Ph. (04365)-22389

By Road: There are frequent buses to Vellankani from Thanjavur, which is 95 km away (a three hr journey).

Sightseeing

Vellankani Church (Basilica of Our Lady of Health) : This is the main shrine, dedicated to Our Lady of Health as the Virgin Mary is called here. The Basilica is built in the Neo-Gothic style, and looks out onto the Bay of Bengal. Its brightly whitewashed east fagade is flanked by an octagonal drum with tapering spires; the crossing within is marked by circular windows.

Museum of Offerings : Situated in front of the church is the Museum of Offerings - stocked with gold and silver, models of houses and trains, testimonials and other curiosities offered by grateful devotees.

Holy Path : Lined with the Stations of the Cross, the Holy Path leads west from the Basilica to Our Lady’s Tank. This commemorates the spot where the Virgin first appeared.

Polint Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary : 45 km south of Vellankani, the Polint Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is made up of 17 sq km of tidal swamps, which form an ideal habitat for flamingos and other water birds.

Nagore : Nagore is located at a distance of 19 km north of Vellankani. Irrespective of caste, creed and religion, people offer their worship at this Islamic Shrine. The Kandhuri festival held here sometime during October or November (depending on the calendar) is very popular

Kodiyakkarai : Kodiyakkarai is 82 km from Vellankani. This place is noted for its bird sanctuary. Nearby is Muthuppettai with its scenic backwaters.

Vedaranyam : Vedaranyam lies at a distance of 72 km from Vellankani. The Vedaranyewarar Temple here is worth visiting, being one of the Sapathavidanga Thallams. This place was the centre stage of Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha during India’s struggle for freedom from the British.

Ettukkudi : The distance between Vellankani and Ettukkudi is 42 km. The Murugan temple at Ettukkudi is considered an important shrine, dedicated to the Hindu God Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati. This temple finds a place in hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar.

Tiruvarur : Tiruvarur lies at a distance of 41km from Vellankani and is one of the Sapthavidanga Thalams. Thyagaraj Swamy Temple and Angalamman Temple are well known

Koothanur : Koothanur lies at a distance of 59 km from Vellankani and is associated with the life of the great poet Ottakkoothar. There is a separate temple for Saraswathi, the Goddess of Knowledge.

Mannarkudi : Mannarkudi, situated at a distance of 70 km from Vellankani, is famous for its Rajagopalaswamy temple, a Vaishnava temple.