Velankanni: Coastal Haven of Spirituality
Velankanni, positioned along the Tamil Nadu coastline in India, is well-known for its churches, with a special focus on the Marian Shrine, recognized as Our Lady of Good Health, also called the ‘Lourdes of the East.’ This location has gained international recognition as a pilgrimage site highly revered by Catholics globally. The sight of the massive gatherings at the church and the shared cultural practices that people embrace, regardless of their religious affiliations, is truly remarkable. Here, we explore the intriguing aspects of Velankanni, also known as Velankanni Annai, Ave Maria, or Arokia Matha.
The central attraction is the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, encircled by a range of religious sites including the Holy Path, Morning Star Church, Chapel at Our Lady’s Tank (Matha Kulam), Church of Preparation for Reconciliation, Chapel at Nadu Thittu, and a massive statue of Lord Jesus. In the vicinity, there is also a museum showcasing vintage photographs of the church, historical insights, and a hall brimming with assorted items in silver and gold, generously contributed by devotees upon the fulfilment of their prayers and wishes.
The primary church, known as the Shrine Basilica, houses the revered statue of Our Lady of Good Health. Within this sacred space, Mother Mary cradles the infant Jesus in her arms. This basilica serves as a sanctuary of hope, faith, and healing, drawing devotees from diverse backgrounds worldwide, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. Keep reading to uncover the miraculous appearances of Mother Mary at Velankanni.
Our Lady’s Tank: A Source Of Divine Blessings
Our Lady’s Tank holds a remarkable story steeped in legend. It is said that in the 16th century, a milk boy from Velankanni, who used to trek to Nagapattinam to supply milk to a wealthy man, experienced a divine encounter by the tank. On a scorching summer day, he sought refuge under a banyan tree beside the tank to quench his thirst and rest. As he dozed off, a radiant woman appeared, cradling a cherubic baby in her arms. She approached the milk boy, requesting some milk to nourish her child. The boy, astounded by the presence of this beautiful and glorious lady, gladly offered her milk from his pot. He felt content for having aided her in feeding the infant. Upon reaching the wealthy man’s abode, he sought forgiveness for the unanticipated delay and reduced milk supply. However, when he opened his pot, he was astonished to find that the pot was brimming with the milk.
News of this extraordinary event quickly spread throughout the village, and it was believed that Mother Mary, accompanied by Infant Jesus, had manifested herself to the milk boy. The villagers considered themselves blessed that Mother Mary had chosen Velankanni as the site of this miraculous occurrence. The wealthy man was determined to locate the exact spot where this event transpired, and since then, this sacred place has been renowned as Our Lady’s Tank. The water from this tank is considered as holy and is thought to be a source of divine blessings.
Adjacent to the tank stands a chapel, featuring an altar where in Our Lady of Good Health has appeared to the milk boy. One side of this chapel is adorned with a tree where devotees tie cradles fashioned from a piece of cloth, offering prayers for the blessing of children.
The Shrine Basilica’s Origins
Following the event of appearance by Mother Mary to a milk boy, a notable encounter unfolded involving a physically disabled buttermilk boy in the vicinity of Nadu Thittu in Velankanni. This boy’s widowed mother would leave him under a tree at Nadu Thittu while he sold buttermilk to those seeking refreshment during hot, sunny days, earning a livelihood to cover their expenses.
One day, he was disheartened as no customers arrived to purchase his buttermilk. Suddenly, a woman of extraordinary beauty appeared, cradling a cherubic and beautiful baby, dressed in immaculate white attire. She kindly requested a glass of buttermilk from the boy. Overjoyed to serve his unexpected visitor, the boy complied. The lady’s gaze shifted from him to her baby, and in a matter of moments, the boy experienced a miraculous healing, unaware of the transformation taking place within him.
The lady then entrusted the boy with a significant task: to seek out a wealthy Catholic gentleman from Nagapattinam and convey her appearance and her desire for a chapel in her honour to be erected in Velankanni. The boy initially expressed his physical limitations and inability to fulfil this mission. However, the lady encouraged him to try to stand up. Astonishingly, the boy regained his ability to stand and move freely, rejoicing in his newfound mobility.
Upon reaching the wealthy Catholic man, the boy described the extraordinary events that had unfolded. To the man’s surprise, he had dreamt of Mother Mary instructing him to construct a chapel the previous night. Subsequently, the man built a small thatched chapel in Velankanni, commemorating the miraculous healing of the once-lame buttermilk boy. From that point forward, she is known as Our Lady of Good Health, and the chapel earned fame as the Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni, or simply, the Shrine Basilica. In recent times, a chapel was constructed at Nadu Thittu, marking the very spot where Mother Mary appeared to the buttermilk boy alongside the infant Jesus.
The Tale of a Portuguese Mariner
Once, a ship was voyaging from Macao to Colombo, navigating the dangerous waters of the Bay of Bengal when it found itself caught in a terrifying tempest. Fearing for their lives, the Portuguese sailor aboard the vessel fervently implored Mother Mary for protection and made a sincere pledge that, if they were to safely reach the shore, he would construct a church in her honour. Through the benevolence of Our Lady of Good Health, the tempest that had raged around them miraculously subsided, allowing the Portuguese sailor and his crew to escape the clutches of the deadly storm. Their vessel eventually found its way to the shores of Velankanni.
In keeping with his vow, upon arrival, the Portuguese sailor oversaw the transformation of a modest thatched chapel, originally constructed by a Catholic from Nagapattinam, into a grand chapel during the 17th century. It is a chapel that endures to this day, and the legacy of the Portuguese sailor’s promise lives on through the porcelain plates he placed upon the altar, still visible for all to see.
Close to Our Lady’s Tank, there stands a depiction commemorating the miraculous escape of the ship and its crew from the tempestuous sea storm.
Sacred Journey Of The Holy Path: A Test of Devotion
Known as the Holy Path, this sandy trail spans approximately 1 kilometre, positioned between the Shrine Basilica and Our Lady’s Tank. Devotees undertake a profound act of reverence by advancing on their knees along this path, ultimately reaching the far end at Our Lady’s Tank. Their unwavering faith, profound gratitude, and deep devotion fortify them, enabling them to endure the physical discomfort and hardship of this spiritual pilgrimage.
Travel Information
To reach Velankanni, travelers have several options. Government and private buses offer transportation to the town. Luxury buses operate from cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Madurai, Ernakulam, Trivandrum, and more. For those opting for train travel, there are two choices: they can arrive at Nagapattinam Railway Station, which is approximately 13 kilometers from Velankanni, and then use local buses, rickshaws, or taxis to reach their final destination. Alternatively, if their train has Velankanni as a designated stop, they can reach Velankanni Railway Station directly. Multiple trains, including Velankanni-Chennai Elmore Express and Vasco-Velankanni Express, along with passenger trains, serve this route. The nearest airport is located in Tiruchirapalli, or Trichy, which is approximately 151 kilometers from Velankanni. Travelers from the airport can opt for either a taxi or a train to reach Velankanni.
The place with Cultural Harmony
Ultimately, the initial visit to this location can be quite intense, particularly for newcomers. Accommodations and dining establishments are accessible to accommodate individuals from diverse economic backgrounds. Velankanni experiences a surge in crowds during the nine-day annual feast in September. Taking the climate into account, winter is the ideal season for a Velankanni excursion. Visitors may observe customs commonly associated with Hindu temples, such as ear piercing and hair donations. The remarkable aspect is the cultural interchange and the profound respect demonstrated by people for religious sentiments, which can be both surprising and deeply moving.
Here is a link to the video on YouTube with the glimpse of Velankanni:
