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Velankanni church is considered a very powerful holy place in India where one is cured of any medical ailment when one offers prayers with a true heart. Devotees often offer a gift made of gold, silver etc., in the shape of the body part in which they have a medical ailment to God, in thanks for being cured. For example, a person with a heart condition may offer prayers and promise to donate a heart shaped gift made of gold to the church when he or she is cured, and when that happens, they fulfill their promise. It is also possible to offer monetary donations within the church, by dropping such monetary donations into a drop box available for this purpose. People of all religions come to visit this church, and offer prayers. Regardless of their race, religion or other consideration, devotees state that prayers and requests made with a sincere heart are always granted. There is a rectangular mud section leading to the old church, where some devotees can walk on their knees for some distance to show their gratitude for favors they have received, or to make a request by showing some sacrifice on their part first. The church is open from early in the morning to late in the evening, and there are services in various local languages available to devotees throughout the day.
Velankanni church is considered a very powerful holy place in India where one is cured of any medical ailment when one offers prayers with a true heart. Devotees often offer a gift made of gold, silver etc., in the shape of the body part in which they have a medical ailment to God, in thanks for being cured. For example, a person with a heart condition may offer prayers and promise to donate a heart shaped gift made of gold to the church when he or she is cured, and when that happens, they fulfill their promise. It is also possible to offer monetary donations within the church, by dropping such monetary donations into a drop box available for this purpose. People of all religions come to visit this church, and offer prayers. Regardless of their race, religion or other consideration, devotees state that prayers and requests made with a sincere heart are always granted. There is a rectangular mud section leading to the old church, where some devotees can walk on their knees for some distance to show their gratitude for favors they have received, or to make a request by showing some sacrifice on their part first. The church is open from early in the morning to late in the evening, and there are services in various local languages available to devotees throughout the day.

== Other Titles ==
''Our Lady of Good Health'' is also referred to as:
*'''Velankanni Matha'''- Mother Velankanni <ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/29/stories/2007082961000600.htm 'Annai Velankanni Matha’ festival begins today] from the Hindu.</ref>
*'''Arokia Matha'''-Mother of Good Health<ref name="vailchurch"/>
*'''Velankanni Amma'''
*'''Punitha Arokia Annai'''- Saint Mother of Good Health<ref>
[http://www.vailankannishrinebasilica.org/vailankannishrinebasilica/parish.htm Parish page] of Our lady of Good Health.</ref>


==Basilica Architecture==
==Basilica Architecture==

Revision as of 11:49, 17 October 2011

Velankanni
Vailankanni
வேளாங்கண்ணி
town
Population
 (2001)
 • Total10,144
Websitewww.nagapattinam.tn.nic.in/church.html

Velankanni (Tamil:வேளாங்கண்ணி), officially spelled as Vailankanni (Virgin of Velai, the town), also spelled as "Velanganni" (due to Tamil to English Transliteration), is a Parish under Tanjore Roman Catholic Diocese and a panchayat town in Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a small town located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal 350 km south of Chennai (Madras) and 12 km south of Nagapattinam on the Coromandel Coast, in Tamil Nadu, India.

Once a port that traded with Rome and Greece, the tiny commercial center gradually lost its importance to the larger Nagapattinam. The canal built to link this town with Vedaranyam still lies to the west of Velankanni. The Vellayar, a minor branch of the Cauvery River, runs on the south of this town discharges into the sea.

Here located an important Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to Our lady of Good Health.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[1] Velankanni had a population of 10,144. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Velankanni has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 68%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 64%. In Velankanni, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health

Velankanni can be traced to the mid-16th century and is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and the Christ Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a violent sea storm.

Although all three apparitions resulted in the erection of a shrine to our Lady, it was the promise of the Portuguese sailors that caused a permanent edifice to be built at Velankanni. The chapel was dedicated on the feast of the Nativity of Mary (8 September), the day of their safe landing. More than 500 years later, the nine-day festival and celebration is still observed and draws nearly 2 million pilgrims each year. The Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni, also known as the "Lourdes of the East",[2] is one of the most frequented religious sites in India. Velankanni church (Our Lady of Good Health) was built in the late 16th century CE with modifications by Portuguese and further expansions later on due to influx of pilgrimages.

The Gothic style of architecture is a unique feature of the church. The church itself is an imposing building with inspiring architecture. While the buildings have been painted white, roof of the church is made by the tiles with striking red in contrast to the colour of the walls. The environment around the shrine is spic and span radiating rays of hope and piety.

As a token of gratitude to Mother Mary, Portuguese sailors who escaped from a severe cyclone, built the chapel 24 feet to 12 feet with a dome overhead. In their possible subsequent visits, perhaps they brought porcelain plates, which could be seen even now illustrating bible scenes and other cultural arts of the time, to beautify the Church they had built earlier. The main statue that they had brought to the altar of the Shrine was Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus, standing majestically on the globe.

In the year 1771, Velankanni acquired the status of a Parish with Fr. Antonio de Rozario as the First Parish Priest.

Basilica (Extension) of Our Lady of Good Health

Velankanni church was raised to the status of basilica in 1962 by His Holiness Pope John XXIII.

Festivals are celebrated here with all pomp and gaiety. Every year on August 29 the feast of our lady commences with the hoisting of the flag and on the 10th day it ends after the dismounting of the flag. A conservative estimate of the crowd is around 1.5 million on these days (Fifteen hundred thousands). Hotels and houses will be overcrowded during these days and people used to sleep in the open air. Holy masses are conducted in at least eight languages, Tamil, English, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Konkani, Hindi and Marathi.

File:Velankannimada.jpg
Our Lady of Good Health Velankanni

The Government, for security duty of the feast sends a contingent of 500 police officers, 10 DSPs, 25 Inspectors, 40 SISs and 60 women police. Over and above the Shrine spends enormous amount of money in deploying additional watchmen, sweepers and other work force. A sizable sum is also spent in supplying potable water, and keeping the place clean.

The shrine built a big hall of Museum to display the offerings. Periodically this is changed and the new ones are kept in the showcases.

Velankanni church is considered a very powerful holy place in India where one is cured of any medical ailment when one offers prayers with a true heart. Devotees often offer a gift made of gold, silver etc., in the shape of the body part in which they have a medical ailment to God, in thanks for being cured. For example, a person with a heart condition may offer prayers and promise to donate a heart shaped gift made of gold to the church when he or she is cured, and when that happens, they fulfill their promise. It is also possible to offer monetary donations within the church, by dropping such monetary donations into a drop box available for this purpose. People of all religions come to visit this church, and offer prayers. Regardless of their race, religion or other consideration, devotees state that prayers and requests made with a sincere heart are always granted. There is a rectangular mud section leading to the old church, where some devotees can walk on their knees for some distance to show their gratitude for favors they have received, or to make a request by showing some sacrifice on their part first. The church is open from early in the morning to late in the evening, and there are services in various local languages available to devotees throughout the day.

Other Titles

Our Lady of Good Health is also referred to as:

  • Velankanni Matha- Mother Velankanni [3]
  • Arokia Matha-Mother of Good Health[4]
  • Velankanni Amma
  • Punitha Arokia Annai- Saint Mother of Good Health[5]

Basilica Architecture

Layout of the Basilica complex. 1.Basilica, 2.Nadu Thittu shrine-site of second apparition, 3. Adoration & Reconciliation chapel, 4.Our Lady's Pond-site of first apparition, 5.Stations of the cross, 6.Stations of the Rosary, 7.Stations of the Sacraments

The Basilica is built in Gothic style of architecture. The southern side was extended in 1928 and northern in 1933.[6] The Shrine Basilica contains three chapels, Our Lady's Tank, Church Museum, Priests' Residence, Offering Center, Stations of the Cross, Stations of the Rosary, Shrine Mega Mahal and Vailankanni Beach. The building is totally painted in white, except for the roof that is made of tiles of striking red color.

Southern side

Early part of 20th century marked rivalry between Jesuits and Franciscans on influence on the missionary in Velankanni. In 1928 a solution was found to this problem. The church of Immaculate Heart of Mary (managed by the Jesuits) was demolished and the statues were brought to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health, eventually in 1933 the Shrine expanded with two new wings, to the right and to the left of the 'Main Altar', meeting the nave at right angles.

Northern side

A spacious vestry was also 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.

Shrine altar

In 1956, a new welcome arch was blessed and opened by Bishop Sundaram. The illuminated arch stood to show the way to the eager pilgrims, who sought the protection of Mary. In January 1961, a new central altar, delicately executed in spotless white marble, was erected replacing the former one made of cement concrete.[6]

Extension basilica-altar

In 1974-75, an extension of the basilica was built behind the existing central altar to accommodate the multilingual pilgrims. The extension included a two storied church with 93 feet (28 m) high dome and 82 feet (25 m) high gothic spirals. The extension was designed to resemble the Basilica in Lourdes, France.[7]

Morning Star Church

A new, magnificent church that is coming up on the northern side of the Holy Path. Named after a popular Marian invocation, the Morning Star Church is meant to be a monumental abode for Our Lady, besides serving other liturgical purposes. At whopping measurements - 400 feet long, 138 feet wide and 40 feet high - the 'Morning Star Church' will be one of a kind in that, there will be no intermediate columns. It will have a seating capacity of over 15,000 numbers. Designed with Portuguese artistic nuances and the over all view resembling a shell,this will surely be an architectural wonder. The front elevation will be similar to the main Basilica. Construction works are in the pipeline.[8],[9]

The Feast day

September 8 is commemorated as the feast of Our Lady of Good Health. The celebration starts 29 August and ends on the day of the feast.[10] The feast day prayers are said in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, Hindi and English.[11]

Geography and climate

Vailankanni, a hamlet on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal, is located 350 kilometers south of Chennai and 14 km south of Nagapattinam on the Coramandal coast, at 10°24′N 79°29′E / 10.40°N 79.49°E / 10.40; 79.49 in Nagapattinam district of Tamil nadu state.

Summer Winter
Max. 36 °C (97 °F) 29 °C (84 °F)
Min. 28 °C (82 °F) 21 °C (70 °F)

When to visit Velankanni?

Taking pilgrimage to Velankanni Church can be done throughout the year. It will be good to plan during the months of October to March as the climate will be mild and cool.

Late August to middle of September is the peak season as the festival is conducted. Millions of pilgrims will be attending the car festival held on 8 September every year. Visiting Velankanni during festival time will be a fun than a pilgrimage.

During April, May and June it will be very hot due to summer, as well as crowded due to holiday seasons. More number of tourists visit the church than pilgirms in this season.

November will see the Church almost empty during afternoons as cyclone used to stop the flow of pilgrims. October, November and February,March is the perfect time as the church will be less crowded and the climate will also be good.

How to Reach?

Velankanni is well connected by road, rail and air. Most devotees reach Velankanni by road passing through Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh. The highways connecting Cities with Velankanni are reasonably good and well maintained.

By Road

Reaching Velankanni by road is much convenient as 'East Coast Road' pass through this town.

Reaching Velankanni From Chennai: Take NH45, reach Tindivanam (131 km), from there take NH 66 to reach Pondicherry (43 km). From Pondicherry take NH 45A to Cuddalore (25 km). Up to Cuddalore roads are very fine as its all either 6 lane or 4 lane. From Cuddalore to Chidambaram (44 km) and After Chidambaram, reaching up to Karaikal (64 km) is time eating (takes at least 2 hrs) even though the distance is just 104 km), road is curvy and care is needed while driving. From Karaikal reach Nagapattinam (10 km). From Nagapattinam take NH 67 and drive towards Tanjore about 5 km, you will reach a village called Puththoor. Take left and drive about 10 km to reach Velankanni Church entrance arch. From the arch, Veilankanni church is just 3 km.
Reaching Velankanni From Bangalore: Take NH7 to reach Namakkal (195 km). From Namakkal take SH25 to reach Trichy (80 km). This road has lots of curves - care is needed while driving. Lots of sand smugglers ply their trucks at very high speed creating traffic jams and accidents. Instead of reaching Trichy via Musuri from Namakkal, go to Karur (46.6 km) and then travel to Trichy (82.4 km) which will add 50 km more in distance . From Trichy take NH 67 to reach Nagapattinam (144 km). Make a note not to go to Nagapattinam. Reach Puththoor (which is located 5 km before Nagapattinam) and take Right and drive about 10 km to reach Veilankanni Church entrance arch. From the arch, Veilankanni church is just 3 km. Total distance is 424 km. Or from Bangalore travel to Tiruvannamalai (210 km) - Tirukkovilur - Panruti - Cuddalore then via Chidambaram (113 km) to Nagapattinam (74 km) and to Velankanni Church (18 km). Total distance using this route is 415 km. Even though you save 9 km, the road is very bad comparing to the previous one.
All major towns and cities in South India are well-connected to Velankanni by the state-owned, scheduled Road Transport Express buses and the private omnibus services as well as by many tour operators.

Many pilgrims walk from Puththoor to Veilankanni as a thanks giving or to petition to the Mother to fulfil their prayers.

By Train

Railway track work has been completed up to Velankanni which connects Velankanni with Nagapattinam. Passenger services got started on this route with effect from 21 December,2010. There are two local trains running towards Nagapattinam daily in the morning and evening. Now there also exists Velankanni Express Train (No:17315) from Vasco-Da-Gama(VSG) in Goa to Velankanni(VLKN) and Velankanni-VSG Express Train (No:17316) from Velankanni(VLKN) to Vasco-Da-Gama(VSG).

Nagapattinam, which is just 12 km away using seashore road or 18 km using proper road, is well rail-connected to all major cities in India through Chennai and Trichy. Taxi services can be availed from Nagapattinam to Velankanni for a charge of about ₹250.

By Air

Nearest Airport to Velankanni is at Tiruchirapalli International Airport at distance of about 165 km. It is an International airport with daily domestic flights to Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur etc., as well as many international flights. Taxi services are available from Tiruchirappalli to Velankanni for a fare of ₹ 2000 approx. for an INDICA Cab.

Accommodation

The church management provides lodging facility at a very affordable cost of Rs 200 per Day, while there are many other private promoters also into hotel business in this town. For availing church lodging facility - one should stand on queue in the counter to book a room and rooms are always provided on first come first served basis depending on the vacancy. Private Hotels provide advance booking. Single rooms to cottage houses are available in plenty. Care should be taken while opting for private economy class lodges as few may run brothel.

During the month of January, April, May, June, August, September, December and during every Friday, Saturday and Sunday - getting an accommodation is very tough, as lots of pilgrims pour-in here.

List of few good hotels/lodges in Velankanni:

  • Hotel Velanganni (Phone: 04365-263527)
  • Hotel Golden Sand – Velankanni (Phone: 04365-263426}
  • Hotel Sea Gate (Phone: 04365-263910)
  • Hotel Picnic (Phone: 04365-263510)
  • Hotel MGM Bethesda Inn (Phone: 04365-263900)
  • Clinton Park Inn (Phone: 04365-264990-98) - a star category hotel

There are several other hotels/lodges in different budgets available. Guest houses are also available at very affordable cost. Church owned rooms will be cheap in terms of price and maintanence. All quality guest houses, avoid giving rooms to singles. Carrying ID cards, return tickets can help to get rooms easily. This is because of increase in number of suicide cases registered in Velankanni and most of the cases relate to people travelled as single.

Church Timings

The Shrine is kept open from 5.00 a.m. morning to 9.00 p.m. evening.[12]

Daily Services

Every Morning

  • 5:45 a.m. Holy Mass in Tamil
  • 6:45 a.m. High Mass in Tamil
  • 9:00 a.m. Holy Mass in Malayalam
  • 10:00 a.m. Holy Mass in English
  • 12:00 a.m. Holy Mass in Tamil

Every Evening

  • 6:00 p.m. Novena Prayers, Rosary, Evening prayers.
  • 6:30 p.m. Holy Mass in Tamil

Weekly Services

Thursday Evenings

  • 6:30 p.m. Holy Mass in Tamil

All Saturdays

  • 7:00 a.m. Holy Mass at Our Lady's Tank
  • 5:45 p.m. Car Procession around the Shrine Basilica, Rosary, Novena prayers, Blessing with the Statue of Our Lady.
  • 6:30 p.m. Holy Mass in Tamil

List of parish priests served Velankanni

The basilica first became a parish in 1771. Many of these priests later became Bishop for Diocese of Tanjore

  • 1771 Sep. Fr. Antonio de Rozario
  • 1774 Aug. Fr. Jose de Santa Roza de Viterbo
  • 1777 Jul. Fr. Antonio de Rosario, Commissary
  • 1779 Sep. Fr. Luis dos Remedios
  • 1783 Jan. Fr. Antonio de Rosario, Commissary
  • 1788 Dec. Fr. Antonio do Jesus Maria Jose
  • 1789 Sep. Fr. Antonio de Rosario Commissary
  • 1792 Sep. Fr. Jos. Roza de Giterbo Commissary &V. F.
  • 1814 May Fr. Constantine de Jesus Maria Commissary
  • 1819 May Fr. Thomas de Piedade
  • 1822 Feb. Fr. Francisco Xavier Masearenhas
  • 1822 Aug. Fr. Francisco Das Dores
  • 1824 May Fr. Felipe de Jesus
  • 1825 Sep. Fr. Francisco Dos Dores
  • 1828 Jun. Fr. Felipe de Jesus
  • 1829 May Fr. Clemente Das Dores
  • 1847 Oct. Fr. Isidore Manuel Alimao
  • 1858 Apr. Fr. Jose Felis Fernandes AG.PP
  • 1863 Nov. Fr. Felipe Nery Joaquim Dias
  • 1876 May Fr. Ignacio Antonio d' Andrade
  • 1886 Aug. Fr. Miguel Francisco Fernandes
  • 1890 Dec. Fr. Joaquim Jose Ag. P. Vic. Nagapattinam
  • 1891 Feb. Fr. Cuilherme Jose Dias
  • 1892 Dec. Fr. Joaquim Jose Luis Ag. P. Vic. Nagapattinam
  • 1893 Mar. Fr. Martinho Valeriane de Sa
  • 1899 Sep. Fr. Joaquim Francisco da Fiedade Dias
  • 1900 Aug. Fr. Camilla Fernandes
  • 1910 Jun. to 1942 Fr. Sebastio Xavier de Noronha
  • 1942 Sep. to 1963 Fr. M. V. Rodriguez
  • 1963 Jun. to 1980 Fr. S. Mariasoosai
  • 1980 Sep. to 1982 Fr. Thomas Vaz
  • 1982 Sep. to 1990 Fr. S. L. Gabriel
  • 1990 May to 1998 Fr. M.M. Sammanasu
  • 1998 Jun. to 2003 Fr. G. Arul Iruthayam
  • 2003 Jun. to 2009 Fr.P.Xavier
  • 2009 Jun. till date Fr.A. Michael


Education

There are five schools situated in Vailankanni town[13]

  • Our Lady of Health Higher Secondary School
  • Our Lady of Health Middle School
  • Our Lady of Health Elementary School
  • Infant Jesus Primary School (English Medium)
  • Christ the King High School special school for handicapped and Deaf & Dumb Children.

Museum

The Museum which is located in Vailankanni stands as a live-witness to Our Lady's blessings upon her devotees and to the gratitude of pilgrims.[13] Offerings of gold, silver other metals and kinds, received from pilgrims, are displayed here. The Museum Open from 6.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. every day.

Tsunami - Aazhip Peralai

Vailankanni was one of the worst hit areas in the Tsunami - Aazhip Peralai that came on December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Worst started happening at around 9.30 am on the evil Sunday. As the 8 am Tamil Mass was over, pilgrims from Kerala were inside the church to attend the Malayalam Mass. Sea water rising up to 5 feet even near Bus Stand area washed almost all who were standing near the beaches. thousands of pilgrims were dead and they were buried en masse in a single grave pit almost 4 km away from the church.,[14][15]

Other Churches representing Velankanni Annai

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vailankanni.
  • Velankanni Church - Front View
    Velankanni Church - Front View
  • Velankanni Basilica - Extension - Fron View
    Velankanni Basilica - Extension - Fron View
  • Veilankanni Basilica - A Panoramic Side View - Church and Church Extension seen at a stretch
    Veilankanni Basilica - A Panoramic Side View - Church and Church Extension seen at a stretch
  • Veilankanni Basilica - Left side view
    Veilankanni Basilica - Left side view
  • Veilankanni Basilica - Right side view
    Veilankanni Basilica - Right side view
  • Veilankanni Basilica at Dusk
    Veilankanni Basilica at Dusk
  • Veilankanni Church Pond
    Veilankanni Church Pond
  • Pilgrims walking on their knees towards the Pond
    Pilgrims walking on their knees towards the Pond
  • Veilankanni - Adoration Center
    Veilankanni - Adoration Center
  • Velankanni Basilica
    Velankanni Basilica
  • Chappel in Nadu Thittu where Mother Mary appeared for the first time
    Chappel in Nadu Thittu where Mother Mary appeared for the first time
  • A Chappel for St Sebastin at Velankanni
    A Chappel for St Sebastin at Velankanni
  • Velankanni Church Office housing office, priest residence and a shop
    Velankanni Church Office housing office, priest residence and a shop

See also

References

  1. ^ Template:GR
  2. ^ Hindus join in India's Marian pilgrimage on Catholic World News
  3. ^ 'Annai Velankanni Matha’ festival begins today from the Hindu.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference vailchurch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Parish page of Our lady of Good Health.
  6. ^ a b About Velankanni on www.velankannichurch.org.
  7. ^ All roads lead to Velankanni on The Hindu news.
  8. ^ MORNING STAR CHURCH on www.vailankannishrine.org
  9. ^ A new magnificent church likely to come up at Vailankanni in Tamil Nadu on newsflash24x7
  10. ^ Velankanni festival ends with feast mass on The Hindu news
  11. ^ Lakhs throng Velankanni church on Chennaionline.com
  12. ^ [1]
  13. ^ a b [2]
  14. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4382689.stm
  15. ^ http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/dec/28iype1.htm
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