In the early 1980s, I made my first trip to Velankanni with my cousin. He had decided to offer his hair to Velankanni Matha as part of his sister’s wedding vows and had invited me to join him. During my visit, I made a prayer to the Virgin Mary that if I ever had the opportunity to visit a foreign country, I would return and offer a small gift from the temple’s gift shop. Although my dream of traveling abroad eventually came true, I never found the time to fulfill my promise. Finally, in February 2023, I made the time to visit Velankanni again, this time traveling from Chennai. In this post, I will share my experience of fulfilling my promise to the Annai Velankanni church and include some pictures of the beautiful church and its surroundings.
The Annai Velankanni Church, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, is a renowned Catholic pilgrimage site located in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, India. Situated on the Bay of Bengal coast, the church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, commonly referred to as “Annai Velankanni,” and attracts millions of visitors every year, irrespective of their religion or faith, to seek her blessings. The church is widely believed to have miraculous healing powers and is reputed to fulfill people’s desires.
According to legend, the Velankanni Madha Church was built in the 16th century by Portuguese sailors who were rescued from a violent storm by the Virgin Mary. This is one of the three known miraculous appearances of the Velankanni Madha. She is also believed to have appeared to a shepherd boy and a buttermilk vendor. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several renovations and expansions, with the most recent renovation taking place in the 20th century.
Journey to Velankanni on the Karaikal Express from Chennai
For my journey from Chennai to Velankanni, I chose to take the Karaikal Express train to Nagapattinam, the nearest train station. The train departs from Egmore at 9.00 PM and arrives in Nagapattinam at 3.45 AM, providing a comfortable and time-saving overnight journey. However, there was a delay of nearly two hours on arrival. Although I had the option of taking a local train to my hotel in Velankanni, I decided to hire an auto-rickshaw to Queen’s Inn hotel, which took 20 minutes and cost me 250 Indian rupees for the 11-kilometer journey. Initially, I thought the hotel was within walking distance of the Velankanni Madha Church, but it was around 2 miles away, and we had to take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to reach there, which cost me 100 rupees for the trip. In this post, I will share my experience and provide useful tips for traveling to Velankanni.
A Comfortable Stay at Queen’s Inn Hotel in Velankanni
When planning my trip to Velankanni, I searched for accommodations through www.agoda.com and decided to book a room at Queen’s Inn hotel. The hotel was selected due to their prompt response to my inquiry regarding early check-in, an important consideration for my arrival at Nagapattinam train station early in the morning. The hotel staff informed me that early check-in was subject to room availability and that they would contact me a week before my arrival to confirm. To ensure a smooth checkout process, I opted for a two-night stay, providing me with flexibility in check-in and check-out times.
During my stay at Queen’s Inn hotel in Velankanni, I was impressed by the spacious and clean room with comfortable bedding and bathroom facilities. The room had a beautiful view of the hotel’s swimming pool, which was well-maintained and offered a refreshing feeling. Although I didn’t dine at the hotel restaurant, it was nice to know that it was available. The staff were friendly and helped me to arrange an auto-rickshaw. The hotel also provided ample space and a secure environment, making me feel safe during my stay. Although I didn’t have the chance to use the swimming pool, it looked inviting and spacious.
Queen’s Inn – Velankanni
Visiting Annai Velankanni Church
To visit the Velankanni Madha church complex, I took an auto-rickshaw and was dropped off in front of the church. As promised, I visited the temple store and purchased some silver replicas to offer to the Madha before entering the stunning church. As soon as I walked in, I felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility. The charismatic face of Velankanni Matha uplifted my spirits. I was grateful for the opportunity to pay my respects to her. After presenting the replicas, I spent a few peaceful moments in her presence before exploring the complex and taking pictures of the various buildings and churches. The complex is truly magnificent and well worth a visit.
Offering silver replicas of body parts, household items, or other objects is a common practice among devotees visiting the Velankanni Church as a way to show their devotion and gratitude to the Virgin Mary
Annai Velankanni Church and Store to Buy Silver Replicas
Knee Walking: A Devotional Practice at Annai Velankanni Church
As I walked around the Velankanni Madha Church, I saw several dedicated devotees walking on the sand path with their knees from one end to the other. It was a humbling experience to witness their devotion and faith. This act of walking on their knees is a common practice for devotees visiting the church as an act of devotion and a way of showing reverence and seeking blessings from the Virgin Mary. However, it’s important to note that this is a voluntary practice and not mandatory for devotees visiting the Velankanni Madha Church.
Knee Walking
Car Blessing and Tying Locks & Hankies
The blessing of new cars and other vehicles is a common practice at the Velankanni Church. Devotees bring their new vehicles to the church and request the priest to bless the vehicle by sprinkling holy water and offering prayers. The blessing of new cars is believed to bring good luck and protection to the vehicle and its passengers. It is also seen as a way to seek the divine protection of the Virgin Mary for safe and smooth journeys.
The practice of tying locks, hankies, and orange color threads to sacred spots outside the Velankanni Church is believed to have started as a way for devotees to make a vow or a prayer request to the Virgin Mary.
Car Blessing and Tying Locks & Hankies
Tall Jesus Statue
The Velankanni Church is famous for its 86-feet tall statue of Jesus Christ, which overlooks the church’s entrance. The statue portrays Jesus with his arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture, and it is a popular spot for visitors to take photos and offer prayers.
Jesus Statue
Our Lady’s Tank
Additional Images
Additional Information
Admission is free
Shoes or sandals are not allowed inside the Basilica
Photography or video recording is not permitted
Church Timings are from 5.00 AM to 9:00 PM
Mass Timings:Â Holy masses are offered in various languages
Experience the Beauty of Velankanni Beach
After exploring the Annai Velankanni Church complex, I took a short five-minute walk through small shops to reach the nearby beach. There were street vendors selling Mala to offer to Annai Velankanni. The beach was stunning, with calm waters and picturesque views. I spent a few peaceful moments there before catching an auto-rickshaw back to my hotel.
A Walk to The Beach
Visiting Siddhar Temple & Singaravelan Temple
During my journey to the train station, I had the opportunity to explore some local attractions and sample some of the delicious cuisine. With the help of my friendly auto rickshaw driver, I visited the renowned Siddhar Temple and Sikkal Singaravelan Temple. I paid the driver 700 rupees for the ride, which included stops at these temples. Finally, he dropped me off at the train station so that I could continue my journey.
Siddhar Temple & Singaravelan Temple
Trying Tamil Nadu cuisine Before Going to the Train Station
I stopped by a nearby Chettinadu hotel before catching my train. I ordered my favorite onion oothappam and dosa. The staff was very friendly and served the food hot. I enjoyed my dinner and then walked to the Nagapattinam train station. The one-day trip was very satisfying, and I left feeling very happy.
South Indian Veg. Dinner
Nagapattinam Train Station
- Velankanni, Tamil Nadu – Natasha Gracious
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