A Gratifying Trip To Velankanni in Tamil Nadu

Despite having visited numerous times, Velankanni is a place that envelops me in a special bond each time I go. The journey from my hometown to Velankanni is over five hundred kilometres by road. The trip itself becomes fulfilling and memorable, whether traveling with loved ones or alone. Given the geography, a flight journey is not a viable option for my journey. Therefore, road transportation is the most convenient choice for me. As such, like every time before, I travelled by road to Velankanni last week. Visiting Velankanni has traditionally been a part of my religious beliefs, a pilgrimage, a family outing, and a time for relaxation. As the years have passed, this practice has become ingrained in me, resembling a therapeutic tradition. Attending religious services, conversing in the local Tamil language, window shopping, and navigating through the crowds—these experiences are something I long for. Beyond its religious significance, Velankanni holds a special place in my heart in South India.

What is special about Velankanni?

Miraculous apparitions of Mother Mary at Velankanni in the 16th century paved the way for the recognition of the place. A thatched chapel built to honour Our Lady was later established as a parish in the 1770s. Thus, the church was dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. Even as the popularity of the place grew, the number of believers visiting Velankanni multiplied. More incidents of miraculous cures were reported in the subsequent years. Such news only encouraged the believers, irrespective of religious barriers to visit the site. Soon, the name of the place, Velankanni, began to be associated with Our Lady of Good Health Church. Now, tens of thousands of people visit the place daily.

Churches and Religious Practices

As far as I can remember, the Velankanni campus consisted of the main church of Our Lady of Good Health, the Way of the Cross towards the Pond, and the Pond Church. However, in the last couple of decades, several new additions have been made. The Basilica extension, Morning Star Church, adoration centre, and gigantic sculptural works of scenes from the Bible are all new. A mini movie hall that shows the history of the church in multiple languages is one of the latest additions.

Holy Mass is held in different churches in multiple languages. The faithful walking towards the Pond Church on their knees, offering flowers and candles, praying at the adoration hall, and rosary stations are different religious practices.

Shopping

If the aforesaid mentioned details concern religious beliefs, there is a flamboyant side to your visit. Of course, visiting Velankanni as a child entailed solely the shopping aspect. I am sure even today such sentiment is shared by every child visiting Velankanni. And guess what, if you see the shopping area, you are going to fall for it too. Although these shops remain open during the day, they stay crowded from evening till night. That is when the weather is conducive for a comfortable walk to the beach.

Right in front of the main church, you can see vendors selling candles, flowers, and coconut tree saplings, which are the main offerings here. Followed by them is a long beeline of innumerable shops stretching till the beach. You are going to be tired of shopping and window-shopping through the hundreds of shops. From toys, household and religious articles, food items, clothes, and loads more items can be shopped for here. Do not expect high-class or branded items here. Nevertheless, combing through these shops, you are sure to buy something or other. At the end, by the seaside, there are a few gaming stations meant for children and adults. 

Food

Much like the options you have when shopping for innumerable items, the variety of street food items is tempting too. From fruits to nuts, sweets and hot items, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, beverages and ice creams, fresh, frozen, baked, or fried, you get it all here. If you are super cautious about hygiene, it’s better to watch out for what you order. One of the attractive dishes you could take a bite of by the side of the beach is seafood. 

In any case, you will need to eat something when you stay there for a couple of days. There are good hotels too. From most of these hotels, you can have South Indian dishes. If you go for a walk near the main church in the wee hours, you can spot vendors selling steaming dosa, vada, puttu, etc., by the side of the road. Many hotels we stay at provide a kitchen and cooking options. Therefore, we can go to the local market, shop for what we need, and cook for ourselves. That is a worthwhile experience, too. 

Beach

Unlike an ideal spot where you have blue, pristine waters and a vast, gorgeous, sandy beach, here you have a contrasting picture. Yet, it is not a boring beach. By evening, the beach is crowded. Despite the poor water quality, many people enjoy playing and swimming in the waters. If you walk sideways a bit, you could see fishermen at work, and if you’re lucky, you could buy fresh fish too.

Accommodation

There is no dearth of accommodation facilities here. As your vehicle crosses the arch entering the Velankanni township, you begin to spot lodges. As your vehicle moves towards the main church area, most of what you see on either side of the road are big and small lodges. Whether you are a solo traveller or part of a group of fifty, you can find places to stay. Other options include AC/non-AC rooms or villas, with cooking options and many other amenities. It is better to look for lodging near the church, which will provide you access to all the prime spots easily. 

The accommodation facilities run by the Shrine are cheaper but are usually crowded. Even at other places, you can get a room for as low as INR 500/night. Invariably, it depends on the season. 

Best time to visit 

Each and every day at Velankanni is crowded and gives a festive mood. The summer heat is notoriously excruciating here. Hence, the ideal period to visit is from December to February. Usually, the annual feast of the church is celebrated from the 29th of August to the 8th of September. Nearly two million devotees attend the festival. 

Where is it located and How to reach? 

Velankanni is a township in the district of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli, which is 165 kilometres away. The nearest railway station is at a distance of 15 kilometres. The easiest and most convenient means to reach Velankanni township is by road. All the key cities and highways are connected to Velankanni. 

Velankanni is the centre of a religious faith and belief. Simultaneously, it is also a hub of yearlong festivity. Once you have been to the place, you are prone to visit it again and again. Perhaps that is why I miss this place and long to visit Velankanni at least once a year. I am already looking forward to my next trip to Velankanni.