Velankanni Our Lady of Good Health Church was built in the 16th Century on account of 3 miracles happening there. This Church is built in the  Gothic style of architecture. It is also known as Velankanni Matha Church, Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, and Annai Velankanni Church.

The main ornamentation at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is the statue of Mary holding the infant son, Lord Jesus Christ, standing on a globe. The Velankanni shrine’s status was raised to that of a basilica in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.

There is a legend behind this church. It is the apparition of the Mother and child. The first apparition of a mother and child was to a boy who was delivering milk. The second apparition was of a lame or crippled young boy who was selling buttermilk.

Annai Velankanni Basilica came into prominence after the safe landing of the Portuguese sailors in the 17th century. They prayed to Mother Mary, thus saving their lives from the sea storm. It is believed that their ship landed here on the 8th of September. September 8th is celebrated as the ‘the Nativity of Mary‘. It is also celebrated as ‘the feast of Our Lady of Good Health’ or Velankanni festival.

The Basilica of Velankanni is a pilgrimage site, especially for the Christians. Millions of people visit this church every year. For some people, it is a pilgrimage. It is the exquisite architecture that attracts some others.

The main shrine at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health was a thatched shrine till 1771. The Statue of Mother Mary carrying a child is the main attraction here. There is a water tank on the side of this Basilica church. The shepherd boy to whom Mother Mary appeared is believed to have drunk water from this tank. This tank is considered as a holy tank by devotees. They drink water from this tank and also carry the water from the tank to their homes. It is believed that many miracles happened to those who drank this water!

Wax replicas of different body parts are offered to Mother Mary by those recovering from ailments. Silver images of the house, baby, male, female, wedding ring, etc, are also offered to Mother Mary by devotees. Walking on their knees on the sand along the Holy Path leading to Our Lady’s Tank is another offering by ardent devotees. Head tonsure is yet another offering here. Rosary Prayer is offered by devotees while walking along the holy path here. Some of these rituals are a blend of catholic faith with Hindu rituals.

There are many churches in this small town on the banks of the Valayar branch of the Cauvery River. Each church has its significance, but they all have Mother Mary as the common theme.

The southern side of the church was extended in 1928, and the northern side in 1933. During 1974-75, further extensions were carried out, and a ‘Lower Basilica’ was constructed, following the design of the Basilica in Lourdes in France. Now, the ‘Lower Basilica’ stands behind the ‘Main Basilica’. Both these Basilicas conduct prayer services all through the day in different languages. All these extensions were made considering the uniformity of the structures and colors to look alike.

Above the Lower Basilica, there is another church where occasional services are held. Naduthitu Church is another church on the road leading to the Basilica shrine. It is believed that the lame boy got healed by the grace of Mother Mary at this location. No prayers are held here. Pilgrims can spend time in silence here.

Adoration Chapel is another must-see place for the pilgrims. Morning Star Church is the latest addition and is marvelous in terms of its architectural value. This massive structure has not even a single pillar inside the shrine. The stained glass windows and intricate doors are the beauty of this church.

The Statue of Jesus here is the tallest Jesus statue in India. It is 200 feet in height.

The devastating Tsunami of December 2004, which damaged the entire area around the church,4 miraculously spared the pilgrims attending the mass service inside the Velankanni Church.

Note: The San Thome Basilica, built over the Tomb of St. Thomas at Marina Beach, Chennai, was also spared from Tsunami damage.

How Do I Go to Velankanni, Our Lady of Good Health Church?

Velankanni is a small town on the Bay of Bengal coast, around 350 kilometers from the capital of Tamilnadu, Chennai. It is well connected with roads and trains. Velankanni’s Station code on the Indian railway website, irctc.co.in, is VLKN. The nearest major international airport is at Tirusulam, Chennai International Airport.

Hotels near the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health

Some of the Hotels near Morning Star church are listed in this paragraph. Hotel Rosemary charges around Rs. 1000 to 2000 per night, and their phone number is +91-97874-89397. Hotel Picnic charges Rs. 1750-2500, and their phone number is +91-98429-63510. Seagate Church View Resorts costs 4000-600 per night, and their phone number is +91-4365-264910. Their email ID is seagateresorts@gmail.com. Six people can stay at the resort, each with two AC rooms. The same group also owns Seagate Hotel, and their phone number is +91-4365-263910. They have the email id hotelseagate@gmail.com.

Some Hotels near the Basilica are listed in this paragraph. Hotel Dravidar costs Rs. 2000 to 3500. Their phone numbers are +91-9750035000 and +91-9750197000. Hotel Paradise costs Rs 1000 to 2500 per night, and their phone number is +91-96000-14630.

Clinton Park Inn is on the church road. Their phone number is +91-97506-11111. Their deluxe double bedroom tariff ranges from Rs 6,500 to 8,500 (plus GST), based on season. On weekdays, they have special rates. Call them for details.

If you are interested in booking rooms owned by the Velankanni Church, please get in touch with them through the email id, admin@velankannichurch.com. Alternatively, call +91-4365-264-890 or +91-4365-263-421 and ask the telephone operator to connect to the room booking staff.

Note: All rates are subject to change, and please verify the rates at your end.