Velankanni

One of the most visited pilgrim centres in India, Velankanni, a city in Tamil Nadu, is nestled on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The well-known shrine named Basilica of our Lady of health entices pilgrims globally. Moreover, people of other religions also pay a visit to this Church to seek blessings and pray at the shrine of Our lady of health.

The Pope in the Vatican City declared Velankanni place to be a Holy city after learning about the significance of this place. The statue of Jesus Christ is located in the enlarged Basilica of this Roman Catholic church, which has two floors. One distinctive aspect of the Church is its Gothic-style architecture. Moreover, the Church itself is a large structure with beautiful architecture. While the structures are painted white, the Church's roof comprises red tiles that stand out against the white walls. The ambience surrounding the shrine is entirely spic and span. Sending out rays of piety and hope. There is also a shrine called "Lady of Sorrow," where a picture of the grieving Mother is shown holding the child Jesus.

It is believed that the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a slothful shepherd boy led to the construction of the Basilica at this place. In the year 1519, Antonio da Montecucculi, an Italian merchant from Genoa, came to this place and built a chapel. Later, in the year 1542, the chapel was destroyed by the Portuguese, who attacked this place. The Shrine of Our Lady of Health, popularly known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Health, was constructed in the year 1547 by the Portuguese.

Moreover, the most important festival of Vallankanni is the festival of Our Lady of Health, celebrated on the 8th of September every year. It is one of the largest and most popular festivals in India. The festival attracts a vast number of devotees from all over the country. This festival commemorates the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a slothful shepherd boy who was tending his flock of sheep.

Velankanni Overview

Best Time to Visit Velankanni

The Velankanni weather remains salubrious throughout the year. The place has a tropical climate, and if you want to visit the tourist places in Velankanni, you must visit this city in the months from October to March. The weather in Velankanni is calm and chilly, which will make your journey to this beautiful city great. The Velankanni temperature is warmest during the months of April to May. The lack of rain during the monsoons makes things worse by increasing humidity. The best time to visit this city is, therefore, during the winter.

How to Reach the Places to Visit in Velankanni?

You can reach this city to visit tourist places in velankanni by Road, Rail, and Air. The majority of pilgrims go by road from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, or Andhra Pradesh to this city. Reasonably decent, well-maintained roadways connect significant cities with this city.

By Road:

Chennai is only at a distance of 313 km from Velankanni place via the National Highway 45, whereas Tiruchirapalli or Trichy is only 155 km away via NH67 highway. Pondicherry is only 156 km away via NH-45A. The State Transport Authority of Tamil Nadu operates daily buses from significant towns to this city because it is a well-known pilgrimage destination.

By Rail:

This city has its own railway statiaon and is linked to Nagapattinam- Velankanni, a comprehensive gauge line. However, it lacks excellent connectivity. Nagapattinam Railway Station is appropriate for linkage to significant Indian cities.

By Air:

The airport that is closest to this city is Trichy or Tiruchirapalli, which is about 153 kilometres away. Chennai Airport is only 312 km and is a significant international airport.

What are the things to see and do in Velankanni?

There are numerous tourist sites in the city. There are a number of things to see and do in this city, including visiting the Velankanni Beach, the Velankanni Church, the Velankanni Museum, and the Our Lady of Health Shrine. You can take a stroll on the beach with your loved ones and attend festivals held at the Church of Our Lady of Health. You can also take a boat ride around this city. You can also shop for souvenirs at Velankanni Market.

Places to Visit in Velankanni

Some of the popular tourist sites in the city are:

Velankanni Church

Situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Velankanni Church is regarded as one of the sacred Christian pilgrimage sites in India and is located on the Coromandel Coast. This beach is 12 kilometres away from Nagapattinam and 350 kilometres away from Chennai. It is deemed that Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus made an appearance here, making this city a prominent location for the Christian community. The Pope declared it to be a holy city, attracting numerous followers from all over the world.

Velankanni Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern coast of India is Vellankani Beach. Because of its close proximity to the Church of Our Lady of Health, it is a popular destination for tourists. Culture and Religion have a long history in Vellankani. It served as a port of trade for ancient Greece and Rome. In Southern India, it is one of the most popular pilgrimage locations.

The beach is nearby Vellaiyar River, which offers boating services to tourists. This river offers a distinctive boating experience because it links directly to the Bay of Bengal. The abundance of the ocean's catch is also celebrated at the beach, where a range of delicacies is offered at a number of fresh seafood vendors.

Velankanni Beach is located at a distance of 12 km from the city of Nagapattinam. Velankanni Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with clear waters and is ideal for swimming.

Velankanni Church Museum

The museum is a structure next to the church. Velankanni Church Museum was created to house the gifts that the devotees gave to the mother as a sign of the numerous favours they had received. There are some highly intriguing articles here. Numerous notes and even drawings on rock can be found here.

Nagapattinam Tourism

A town on the Bay of Bengal coast with significant historical value, Nagapattinam is also a well-known pilgrimage site with the Divya Desam of this city, as well as numerous mosques and temples dotted throughout. Named after Nagur, the country of serpent gods, Nagapattinam is endowed with admirable historical and cultural value. In addition to numerous holy locations, this area has a long beach.

Restaurants in Velankanni

Some of the restaurants that serve scrumptious foods in this city are:

Hotel Dravidar: Visit Hotel Dravidar to eat delicious food after admiring Morning Star Church for Our Lady of Vailankanni. Don't leave without tasting some excellent fish curry and biryani. This location is well known for its excellent customer service and helpful staff that are always available to assist you.

Neithal ocean food Restaurant: Neithal Ocean Food offers Indian food. People can indulge in delectable delicacies at this location and relish expertly prepared crabs, fried fish, and prawns.

Hotel SeaBreeze: Hotel SeaBreeze offers delicious Chinese food and scrumptious fish. The first bite of good fish will leave you impressed.

Places to stay in Velankanni

Some of the hotels to stay in this city are:

Sri Gnana Vedha Beach Residency: You may have a wonderful stay at this opulent hotel with well-maintained rooms, a fantastic restaurant, and a variety of services.

Queens Inn: Hotel: The Queens Inn offers a remarkable range of amenities as well as scenic destinations.

MGM Velankanni Residency: The opulent MGM Velankanni Residency, built with contemporary architecture, is a centre of top-notch services near nature.

Hotel Golden Sand: The hotel offers panoramic views with lots of amenities and delicious food.

Hotel Picnic: Hotel Picnic offers cosy lodgings, cutting-edge amenities, and budget-friendly South Indian specialities located close to the well-known Vailankanni Church.

GS Resorts: GS Resorts offers a memorable stay in this town with several accommodations, a fantastic pool, and an on-site restaurant.

Food to Try in Places to Visit in Velankanni

Some of the most popular foods that you must try in this city are Fish Curry, Prawn Curry, Crab Curry, Chicken Curry, Mutton Curry, Vegetarian Curry, Basmati Rice, Garlic Bread, Dosa, Idli, Vada, Sambar, Rasam, Puliyodarai, Paruppu Payasam, Pollachi Nandu Fry, Rasam, Mutton Kola Urundai, Chicken Chettinad, Filter Kaapi, Pongal, and Murukku.

Things to Buy in the Places to Visit in Velankanni

The villages of Velankanni are known for their unique hand looms and silk, which are widely available there. You can buy handmade items from there, like Shawls. Some other items you can buy from this city are Dry fruits, Spices, Paintings, Wooden toys, and Pottery.

Some of the popular markets in this city include

Velankanni Fish Market

If you’d like to buy fresh seafood, then you can head to Velankanni Fish Market and purchase fish at cheap rates.

Velankanni Commercial Street

This street is lined with several shops on either side. You can purchase everyday items as well as clothes from here.

Annai Madhura Supermarket

Here you can find a wide range of edible items including dry fruits and local spices to take back home.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour's are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren't just "local" tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too
• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn't normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn't get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!
• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what's going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

Conclusion

Velankanni Tamil Nadu is home to the famous Roman Catholic shrine, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in India and attracts around 1 million pilgrims from all over the world every year. You can visit this place to seek the blessings of God. It is a perfect place to visit with your kith and kin.