| Velankanni Temple |
| About: |
| Velankanni is located 12 km south of Nagapattinam on the Coromandel Coast, in Tamil Nadu. The shrine here is dedicated to Our Lady of Health, the Madonna of Velankanni and is popularly known as ‘Sacred Arogya Matha Church’. Virgin Mary is believed to have miraculous healing powers. Thousands of pilgrims belonging to various castes and communities flock daily to this ‘Lourdes of the East’. The church has an imposing facade with tall spires and the wings present the shape of a cross. In a niche in the alter is enshrined the statue of Our Lady of Health.he small hamlet on the sandy shore of the Bay of Bengal is 350 kms far from Chennai. Towards the south of the Velankanni village flows a small tributary of the Cauvery River. The sacred place was once a port and people of this region traded with countries like Rome and Greece, which was the ancient commercial center of the western countries |
| Location info: |
| Address:Velankanni Temple, Nagapattinam Nagai tamil nadu India |
| District: Nagai |
| Nearest City: Nagapattinam |
| Best time to visit: September to May |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The winters are relatively very pleasant when average minimum temperature remains around 20°C. |
| History: |
| Sometime during the sixteenth century, Our Lady with her infant son appeared to a Hindu boy carrying milk to a customer?s home. While he rested under a Banyan tree near a tank (pond), Our Lady appeared to him and asked for milk for her Son and the boy gave her some. On reaching the customer’s home, the boy apologized for his lateness and the reduced amount of milk by relating the incident that occurred on his way. On inspection, the man found the milk pot to be full and realized that something miraculous had happened. That man, also a Hindu, wanting to see the place where the apparition occurred, accompanied the boy.When they reached the tank, Our Lady appeared once again. On learning that it was Our Lady who appeared to the boy, the residents of the local Catholic community became ecstatic. The tank where the apparition took place is called “Matha Kulam” or Our Lady’s tank. |
| Interesting Places to visit: |
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Velankanni Church:
Devoted to Our Lady of Health, the Madonna of Velankanni, the shrine at this church is distinguished as Sacred Arogya Matha Church. Fully consecrated to Virgin Mary and the Heavenly Mother, this church has an expanded Basilica. There is also a shrine of Our Lady of Sorrow, where the grief-stricken Mother is portrayed carrying Infant Jesus in her arms.Church Museum:
A visit to the Velankanni Church is the chief reason for coming for a tour to Velankanni, which includes sighting the museum situated opposite the Basilica. This museum has various exhibits, with biblical incidents depicted on both sidewalls.Nagapattinam:
Positioned near Velankanni, Nagapattinam is one of the famed harbors of India. It is home to some impressive temples, a mini museum, a lofty lighthouse and the sprawling golden beach.
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| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station: Trichy, Chennai and Thanjavur. |
| Nearest Airport:Chennai International Airport |
| Road Transport:Buses are available for Chidambaram, Chennai, Madurai, Pondicherry, Trichy(141kms) and Thanjavur (89kms). Buses and trains frequently run from Nagapattinam. |
| Nearest Visiting places:Sri Rangam Temple : Located in Trichy, it is the first of the Vaishnava temples in south India, the Sri Rangam temple is the premier amongst the 108 Vaishnava divyadesas. The Vaishnava Acharyas made it the head quater of the Vaishnava movement. In present times the temple is managed by the Vaishnava Acharyas from the place Nathumani. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the entire Universe. |
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Nearest Petrol Pump:Petrol Pump:Petrol Pump
Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tamil NaduHP Petrol Pump
,Karaikal, Karaikal, Pondicherry
Petrol Pump
Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:Hotel Seagate
Main Road, Vailankanni, nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611111, velankanni, Tamil Nadu 611111- 04365 263510HOTEL SELVIES
2, KATTUKARA STREET, THIRUVARUR. 610 002- 04366 222080 |
| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Superintendent of Police Office, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611003 – 09443968700Porayar Police Station
Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu |
Nearest Hospital:
Government Hospital, Nagapattinam : +91 4365 242459
Nagai Hospital, Nagapattinam : +91 4365 224115 / 241150 / 9362611636
Pentagan Hospital : +91 4365 224515
Ansari Hospital : +91 4365 224349
Venkateshwara Hospital : +91 4365 242325 |
