Shrine Annai Velankanni Church
DirectionIt is a famous Christian Pilgrim Shrine, 26 Kms. away from Karaikal. It is located in Velankanni of Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu.
Velankanni has one of the country’s biggest Catholic Pilgrimage Centre, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Devoted to Our Lady of Good Health, it is popularly known as the “Lourdes of the East”. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century.
Annually, 20 million pilgrims flock to the shrine from all over India and abroad, out which an estimated 3 million people visit the shrine during its annual festival from 29 August to 8 September. The 11-day annual festival concludes with the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary on 8 September.
How to Reach:
By Air
The Nearest Airport is Tiruchirappalli 160 Kms. and Chennai is 300 kms.
By Train
Velankanni railway station is a terminal station on the 10 kilometre long Nagapattinam
By Road
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu) (SETC) and several private bus operators ply to cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ernakulam, Madurai, Nagercoil, Salem, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Trivandrum. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation run a daily bus service to Changanassery.