Miracles In Velankani
In spite it was a breezy night, the sea was pretty good and calm. The Portugal ship was sailing towards Columbia from the shore of Calcutta through the Bay of Bengal. When ship reached the east of latitude 79 degree and 51 minutes the captain Augustinos came out of his cabin and passed his eyes through the extend to the sky.
The ship was passing in front of Velankanni shrine. Being a part of mere practice this prayer was followed by everyone, no matter they had believe in it or not. It is said that this prayer rescued the Portuguese sailors from a tempest that occurred a centuries back. Construction
The shrine is built apart on the sandy shores of Bay of Bengal where sea and river joins. It is India’s most sacred pilgrimage of Mother Mary situated at Tamil Nadu on the bank of river Velliyar, which is a minor branch of Cauvery River. It lies on the beautiful Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. The Roman Catholic Latin Rite Basilica is devoted to the Lady of Good Health and is country’s one of the biggest Catholic pilgrimage center.
Historical evidences about the church are not available and oral tradition is the only source. It is believed that the church was built in 1570. The church has gained popularity after the Holy Mary appeared for a Hindu boy from Mathakkulam in Annapilla Street, one kilometer away from the Basilica church. Years after Hail Mary had again appeared for another boy who was handicapped. After this incident the boy had recovered from his disability. It is built in the Gothic style, was modified by Portuguese and then further expanded later on due to the influx of pilgrims.
The early part of the 20th century marked rivalry between Jesuits and Franciscans regarding their influence on missionary work in Velankanni. In 1928, the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was demolished and the statues were brought to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health. In 1933 the Shrine was expanded with two new things, to the right and to the left of the ‘Main Altar’, meeting the naïve at right angles. A spacious vestry was provided immediately behind the altar.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health erected by the Portuguese and the Indians stands at this site. The iconic depiction of the Mary is unique in that it is one of two only icons where Mary is portrayed wearing an Indian Sari. It is about 3 feet high in a yellow sari wearing ornaments. There are about 500 statues of Mary around the Church.
For Goan and Konkani people, she is called “Shantadurga”. This especially includes use of Kotimaram, which has been described as an extended influence of Hinduism on Catholicism, thus making the Basilica a meeting point of two of the major religions of the world. The portrayal of the Virgin Mary as a curer of illness and a victor over all demonic forces is seen by local Hindus as an attribute equivalent to the Hindu goddess Mariamman.
A major event is the procession, where only women are allowed to pull the first car and a statue of Mary is in the last and most decorated one. People of other religions also take part. The pilgrims sometimes shave their heads as an offering and perform ear-piercing ceremonies, both being Hindu traditions. Another ritual considered sacred is dipping oneself in the pond. There is a holy flag which is lowered to signal the end of the festival.
Feast Day
September 8 is commemorated as the feast of Our Lady of Good Health. The celebration starts on 29th of August and ends on the day of the feast. Every year on 29th August, the feast festival gets started with a flag hoisting ceremony at the church by evening 6 pm followed by the procession of Our Lady of Health. Due to the number of pilgrim visits during festival season, the Indian Railways introduced special train and bus services to the town of Velankanni.
Before becoming a big town, the pilgrims were given shelter near to the Church. Later this shelter facility was extended due to the rapid increase in the number of pilgrims. Now, the Church has 13 buildings offering free shelter for 1620 pilgrims. Apart from halls and dormitories, rooms on daily rent are also available. For this, 24 hours working Facilitation centers are situated near the bus-stand. Other lodges are also available. The church canteen provide free food for the pilgrims will be open from 6 am to 10 pm. Food is cheap and is available in small “eating houses” and food stalls on the main road. This church has become one of the most visited religious places in India.
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