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2026 Annual Feast of Our Lady of Velankanni · Aug 29 – Sep 8 · Learn More →
Annual Feast 2026 · Aug 29 – Sep 8

Annai Velankanni · வேளாங்கண்ணி

Velankanni Shrine
Pilgrim Guide 2026

வேளாங்கண்ணி யாத்திரை வழிகாட்டி

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health - the "Lourdes of the East" - is India's most beloved Marian shrine. Find mass timings, book hotels, and plan your pilgrimage here.

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Hotels Near Basilica
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Mass Timings
Daily & Sunday schedule
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Plan Your Visit
Step-by-step guide
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Annai Velankanni Church Tamil Nadu
Annual Feast 2026

Velankanni Annual Feast 2026

Aug 29 – Sep 8, 2026 11 Days · Velankanni, Tamil Nadu

The Annual Feast of Our Lady of Good Health is one of Asia's largest Marian pilgrimages. Over 3 million pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and diaspora communities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka converge on Velankanni for 11 days of prayer, processions, and solemn Masses.

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3M+
Pilgrims attend
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11 Days
Aug 29 – Sep 8
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7+
Languages of Mass
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Sep 8
Grand Feast Day
2026 Event Timeline
Aug 29 Flag Hoisting - Novena Begins

Day 1 of the 9-day Novena. Opening ceremony and first solemn Mass of the feast.

Aug 30–Sep 5 Novena Masses (Days 2–7)

Each day sponsored by a different diocese. Masses in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, Hindi, English.

Sep 6–7 Major Processions & Vigil

Car festival before feast day. Candlelit vigil night with beach ceremonies and overnight prayers.

Sep 8 🎉 Grand Feast Day

Pontifical High Mass by Bishop of Thanjavur. Grand procession of Our Lady's statue through Velankanni. Arrive by 5:00 AM for interior seating.

⚠️ Book hotels now. Budget guesthouses sell out by June–July. AC hotels on Beach Road sell out by May. This is not an exaggeration.

Live Mass

Watch Mass Live from Velankanni

The Velankanni Shrine broadcasts daily Holy Mass live on YouTube. Stream the Mass from anywhere in the world - the official channel goes live from 5:40 AM IST daily.

Main Shrine 5:40 AM – Morning Prayer, 6:00 AM Tamil Mass
Lower Basilica 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM (English), 12:00 PM, 6:30 PM
Upper Basilica 8:00 AM (Telugu), 11:00 AM (Hindi)
Watch Full Live Stream →

Official channel: Vailankanni Shrine TV Live 2

Hotels in Velankanni

Book Your Stay Near the Basilica

Compare prices across top booking platforms. Hotels fill up fast during the Annual Feast (Aug 29–Sep 8) and peak weekends - book early.

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📅 Pilgrimage season rates
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Directory

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Shrine Schedule

Mass Timings at the Basilica

Daily masses across four churches - Main Shrine Basilica, Lower Basilica, Morning Star Church, and Naduthittu Church. Services in Tamil, English, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Konkani.

Shrine open daily: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Confession available 5:00 AM–8:00 PM with multilingual confessors.

View Full Schedule →
5:40 AM
Morning Prayer
Main Shrine
6:00 AM
Tamil Mass
Main Shrine
7:00 AM
Tamil Mass
Lower Basilica
8:00 AM
Telugu Mass
Upper Basilica
9:00 AM
Malayalam Mass
Morning Star Church
10:00 AM
English Mass
Lower Basilica
11:00 AM
Hindi Mass
Upper Basilica
6:00 PM
Rosary & Mass
Lower Basilica

Timings may vary on feast days and Sundays

Shrine History

The Three Apparitions of Our Lady

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health was established following three miraculous apparitions spanning more than a century - each one drawing pilgrims from across the world.

First Apparition at Velankanni - Shepherd Boy and Our Lady of Good Health
1
1550s

The Shepherd Boy & Our Lady

A young shepherd transporting milk fell asleep near a pond on Anna Pillai Street. Upon waking, he saw a beautiful Lady holding a Divine Child - who requested milk. The pot miraculously overflowed. The location became known as "Matha Kulam" - Our Lady's Tank.

Second Apparition at Velankanni - Crippled Boy Healed by Our Lady
2
1600s

The Crippled Boy Is Healed

A poor widow's lame son selling buttermilk at Nadu Thittu witnessed a radiant Lady with a Divine Child. She asked for buttermilk, then instructed him to inform a wealthy Catholic gentleman to build a chapel. When the boy rose to leave - his legs were healed. The Lady became known as "Arokia Matha" - Mother of Good Health.

Third Apparition at Velankanni - Portuguese Sailors Saved from Storm
3
1650

Portuguese Sailors & the Storm

Portuguese merchants sailing from Macao to Colombo were caught in violent storms in the Bay of Bengal. They prayed fervently to Mary as "Stella Maris" - Star of the Sea. Miraculously the seas calmed and their ship landed at Velankanni on September 8 - the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. They built a magnificent stone chapel in gratitude.

Shrine Timeline
1550s
First apparition - shepherd boy
1600s
Second apparition - crippled boy healed; first chapel built
1650
Third apparition - Portuguese sailors; stone chapel built
1771
Major renovation - larger church constructed
1962
Pope John XXIII elevates to Minor Basilica
Velankanni Shrine Complex Overview - Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
The Shrine Complex

Four Churches, One Sacred Ground

The Velankanni shrine complex includes four distinct churches, each hosting masses in different languages to serve pilgrims from across India and beyond.

1
Main Shrine Basilica
The principal church - Tamil Mass from 6:00 AM
2
Lower Basilica
English, Tamil masses throughout the day
3
Morning Star Church
Malayalam (9:00 AM) and Konkani (8:00 AM) masses
4
Naduthittu Church
Tamil Mass on special Saturdays
350 km
From Chennai
144 km
From Trichy
12 km
From Nagapattinam
165 km (Trichy)
Nearest Airport
Velankanni Shrine 360° Virtual Tour - Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health Panorama
Interactive Experience

360° Virtual Tour of the Shrine

Can't visit Velankanni right now? Walk through the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in a fully interactive 360-degree panoramic experience - the main shrine, beach, and surrounding grounds from any browser or VR headset.

🏛️ Main Shrine Basilica - interior & exterior walkthrough
⛪ Lower Basilica and Upper Basilica - full panoramas
🏖️ Shrine Beach and sacred coastal grounds
🎨 Portuguese porcelain altar plates (17th century)
Open Virtual Tour →
Getting There

How to Reach Velankanni

Transport guides →
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By Air
Tiruchirapalli International Airport

165 km from Velankanni. Flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, and international destinations. Taxi or bus from airport.
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By Train
Velankanni Express (No. 17315)

Direct train from Vasco-Da-Gama, Goa. Nagapattinam station (12 km away) connects to all major Indian cities.
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By Road
TNSTC & Private Buses

Daily services from Chennai (400 km), Trichy (144 km), Bangalore (424 km), Coimbatore (460 km), and all major Tamil Nadu cities.
Velankanni Railway Station - How to reach Velankanni by train
Nagapattinam 12 km
Karaikal 26 km
Thiruvarur 33 km
Chennai 400 km
Bangalore 424 km
Trichy 144 km
Coimbatore 460 km
Mumbai 1,312 km
Hyderabad 873 km
Kolkata 1,850 km
Pune 1,230 km
At the Shrine

Facilities, Activities & Pilgrim Customs

Shrine Facilities

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Historical Museum
Open 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM daily. Houses gold, silver, and precious metal votive offerings donated by pilgrims across centuries - a testament to miraculous healings and answered prayers.
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Annai Book Centre
The shrine's own bookshop stocking devotional literature, prayer books, rosaries, medals, and Marian texts. Deepens your spiritual connection to the shrine's history.
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Gift Shop & Religious Articles
Holy cards, medals, religious figurines, local handicrafts, and votive candles. Available at stalls within the shrine complex. Cash preferred.
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Shrine Office
Open 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed 12:30–2:00 PM). Closed Sundays, New Year's Day, Good Friday, and Christmas. Room bookings: +91 04365-263540.

Pilgrim Activities & Customs

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Velankanni Kappu (Sacred Vow Shawl)
A yellow or gold shawl worn as a symbol of pilgrimage and vow to Our Lady. Available at shrine stalls. A centuries-old tradition shared by Catholic, Hindu, and Muslim pilgrims.
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Hair Offering (Tonsure Vow)
Pilgrims shave their heads at designated areas near the shrine as an offering of gratitude to Our Lady. Shared across Catholic, Hindu, and other devotional traditions here.
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Beach, Grotto & Sacred Pond
The shrine sits on the Bay of Bengal. The beach, the grotto, and "Matha Kulam" (Our Lady's Tank) are especially sacred - open for quiet prayer, ritual dipping, and meditation.
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Processions, Cultural Programs & Seafood
Diocese-sponsored cultural programs and multilingual processions during the feast. The Tuesday evening car festival procession is a highlight. Velankanni's beachside seafood stalls are legendary.
Phone
+91 04365 263 423
Address
Velankanni, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu 611111
Shrine Open
5:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
View on Google Maps →
Pilgrim Guides

Shrine Guides & Articles

All guides →
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On YouTube

Velankanni on Video

Official shrine channel →
The March 2023 Miracle at Velankanni
Baby Jesus appears in Our Lady's crown during morning Mass - witnessed and recorded live, 228K+ views
Annual Feast Flag Hoisting 2023
Official opening ceremony of the 11-day Annual Feast - Mercy TV
Velankanni Church - Full 4K Tour
Complete tour of the basilica complex, beach, and shrine grounds in ultra HD - 419K+ views
Annai Velankanni (1971 Full Movie)
Dir. K. Thangappan · Gemini Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, Kamal Haasan · 3.5M+ views on YouTube
✨ March 2023 Miracle

Baby Jesus Appears in Our Lady's Crown

On March 4, 2023, during the morning Holy Communion at the Velankanni Basilica, witnesses reported seeing the face of Baby Jesus appear in the crown of Our Lady. The vision lasted approximately three minutes before disappearing.

The event was captured during the shrine's live mass telecast and generated renewed pilgrimage interest from devotees across India and the world.

🎬 Cultural Heritage

Annai Velankanni - The 1971 Tamil Film

The devotional Tamil film Annai Velankanni (1971), directed by K. Thangappan, starred Gemini Ganesan, Jayalalithaa, Srividya, Sivakumar, Padmini, and K.R. Vijaya, with a young Kamal Haasan making an uncredited appearance as Jesus Christ. The film was subsequently dubbed into Telugu (Mary Matha), Malayalam (Velankanni Mathavu), and Hindi (Mata Velankanni).

The film brought the story of Velankanni to millions of households across South India and remains a beloved piece of devotional cinema - now available in full on YouTube with 3.5M+ views.

Watch on YouTube →
Complete Pilgrim Reference

Everything About Velankanni Shrine

Customs, ceremonies, travel routes, climate guide, and shrine history - a complete reference for pilgrims and visitors planning their journey.

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Pilgrimage Customs & Ceremonies at Velankanni

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The pilgrimage to Velankanni spans faith traditions - Catholic, Hindu, and Muslim devotees all participate in its sacred customs. Beyond the standard Mass and novena, these are the key ceremonies observed at and around the shrine:

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Ear-Piercing Ceremony
A devotional vow fulfilled at the shrine by piercing ears - traditionally a Hindu custom adopted by many Velankanni pilgrims to mark the fulfillment of answered prayers and petitions to Our Lady.
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Matha Kulam (Holy Pond) Ritual
Ritual dipping in "Matha Kulam" - Our Lady's Tank - the sacred pond where the first apparition (1550s) occurred. Pilgrims bathe in its waters seeking healing, blessings, and spiritual purification.
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Adoration Chapel
A dedicated space within the shrine complex for Eucharistic adoration, open throughout the day. Many pilgrims find this quieter than the main basilica - ideal for silent personal petitions and contemplation.
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Palanquin Procession of Our Lady
During feast celebrations, Our Lady's statue is carried in a beautifully decorated palanquin through Velankanni. Thousands of devotees line the streets for a glimpse and to receive her blessing.
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Flag Hoisting & Lowering Ceremony
The Annual Feast opens with a solemn flag hoisting ceremony on August 29 and concludes with the flag lowering after the Grand Feast Day (Sep 8) - marking the close of 11 days of prayer and celebrations.
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Car Festival (Tuesday Evening Procession)
The penultimate day of the feast features a spectacular car festival - Our Lady's statue paraded on a giant decorated float through Velankanni. By tradition, women devotees lead and pull the first car.
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First Saturday Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima
On the first Saturday of each month, the shrine observes special devotions to Our Lady of Fatima - including Rosary, Mass, and meditations on the five Mysteries. A quieter, more intimate gathering than the annual feast that many regulars consider spiritually profound. Open to all denominations.
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Things to Do in Velankanni Beyond the Basilica

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Velankanni rewards visitors who stay an extra day. Beyond the basilica, the town offers a beach, legendary seafood, local markets, and cultural programs - especially during the Annual Feast season.

🏖️ Shrine Beach & Coastal Walk

The Velankanni shrine sits directly on the Bay of Bengal - giving it an oceanic spirituality unique among Indian pilgrimage sites. Walk the shore at sunrise or sunset for a meditative experience. The beach holds deep religious significance: the Portuguese sailors who survived the 1650 storm landed here on September 8, founding the chapel that grew into today's basilica. Many pilgrims come to pray by the water before dawn Mass.

Note: The beach is safe for walking and light wading, but sea currents on the Coromandel Coast can be strong - swimming is not recommended, especially during monsoon season.

🦐 Velankanni Seafood - What to Eat

Velankanni's beachside seafood stalls are legendary among Tamil Nadu food lovers. Fresh fish, prawns, crabs, and lobster are prepared daily - grilled, fried, or curried in coastal Tamil Nadu style. Prices are reasonable; quality is excellent during peak season when boats come in daily. Best stretch: the stalls on Beach Road heading south toward the lighthouse. Look for places with high turnover - busy means fresh.

Most restaurants near the basilica also serve vegetarian and Jain options for those observing food restrictions during pilgrimage.

🛍️ Shopping - What to Buy in Velankanni

The market streets around the shrine are lined with stalls selling a wide range of devotional and local goods:

Velankanni Kappu - The sacred yellow vow shawl - INR 50–300 depending on quality and fabric
Rosaries, medals & holy cards - Available at shrine stalls and street vendors; wide price range
Religious figurines & statues - Our Lady of Velankanni in various sizes - ceramic, resin, metal
Local handicrafts - Shell art, woven mats, coastal craft items unique to the Coromandel coast
Textiles & devotional wear - Traditional Tamil sarees, dhotis, and pilgrimage clothing
Spices & condiments - Coastal Tamil Nadu spice mixes, dried fish, local produce

Cash is preferred at most stalls. Bargaining is expected at street vendors but not at the Annai Book Centre or official shrine shops.

🎵 Cultural & Educational Programs

During the Annual Feast, each sponsoring diocese stages cultural programs - concerts, classical music, devotional drama, and art exhibitions celebrating the history of the shrine and Our Lady. Local schools and parishes organize lectures on the shrine's significance. Outside feast season, occasional programs are hosted at the shrine auditorium - check with the shrine office on +91 04365-263540 for current schedules.

🌿 Shrine Gardens & Grounds

The shrine complex includes landscaped gardens and parklands offering a peaceful retreat between prayer sessions. A leisurely walk through the full complex - past the grotto, Matha Kulam, the beach promenade, and the four churches - takes 45–60 minutes. The grounds are particularly beautiful in the early morning, before the main pilgrimage crowds arrive.

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Detailed Driving Routes to Velankanni from Every Major City

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Velankanni is accessible by road from all major South Indian cities. The final approach is via Nagapattinam on the NH67/NH32 coastal highway. Here are the main driving routes with highway numbers, stops, and realistic travel times:

Chennai → Velankanni
~400 km
Via NH45, NH66, NH45A, NH67 · ~8 hrs
Stops: Tindivanam → Pondicherry → Cuddalore → Chidambaram → Karaikal → Nagapattinam → Puththoor → Velankanni
Trichy → Velankanni
~144 km
Via NH67 · ~3 hrs
Most direct inland route. Trichy → NH67 → Nagapattinam → Puththoor Junction → Velankanni. Well-maintained highway throughout.
Bangalore → Velankanni
~415–424 km
Via NH7 / SH25 / NH67 · ~9 hrs
Route A (424 km): Bangalore → NH7 → SH25 → NH67. Route B (415 km): via Tiruvannamalai → Tirukkovilur → Panruti → Cuddalore → Chidambaram → Nagapattinam.
Coimbatore → Velankanni
~460 km
Via NH544, NH67, NH48 · ~9 hrs
Coimbatore → NH544 → NH67 → NH48 → NH7 → SH25 → NH67 → Nagapattinam → Velankanni.
Hyderabad → Velankanni
~873 km
Via NH44 / NH65 / NH67 · ~15 hrs
Route passes through Andhra Pradesh via multiple highway intersections before entering Tamil Nadu and connecting to NH67 toward Nagapattinam.
Mumbai → Velankanni
~1,312 km
Via Eastern Expressway → Mumbai-Pune Expressway → Chennai · ~22 hrs
Most pilgrims from Mumbai take the Velankanni Express train (No. 17315 from Vasco-Da-Gama, Goa) - strongly recommended over a 22-hour drive.
Pune → Velankanni
~1,230 km
Via Mumbai-Pune Expressway → NH48 → NH7 · ~21 hrs
Pune → Mumbai-Pune Expressway → NH48 → NH7 → SH25 → NH67 → Nagapattinam → Velankanni.
New Delhi → Velankanni
~1,723 km
Via NH48 / NH19 / NH27 / NH16 · ~30+ hrs
Drive not recommended. Take a flight to Trichy (TRZ) or Chennai (MAA), then drive or take a train to Velankanni.
Kolkata → Velankanni
~1,850 km
Via NH16 coastal highway · ~30+ hrs
Kolkata → NH16 → Bhubaneshwar → Visakhapatnam → Chennai → NH67 → Velankanni. Train strongly recommended for this distance.

⚠️ During Annual Feast (Aug 29–Sep 8): Road congestion increases significantly within 20 km of Velankanni. Plan to arrive before dawn or late evening. Police may restrict vehicles close to the basilica during peak days - walking from Nagapattinam (12 km) is common among devotees.

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Velankanni - Geography, Climate & Town Profile

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Location & Geography

Velankanni is a coastal town on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu. It lies approximately 350 km south of Chennai and 12 km north of Nagapattinam town.

The town is built on a narrow coastal strip between the sea and the backwaters. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused significant damage to Velankanni, but the basilica itself survived - an event widely noted by devotees as miraculous. The shrine's Gothic-style architecture was inspired by the Basilica in Lourdes, France.

District Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu
Coastline Bay of Bengal - Coromandel Coast
From Nagapattinam 12 km north (seashore road)
From Karaikal (Puducherry) 26 km south
From Thiruvarur 33 km southeast
Architecture Gothic Revival style
Heritage Status Pilgrimage Tourism Heritage Site (Govt. of India)
Church Complex 4 churches: Main Shrine, Lower Basilica, Morning Star, Naduthittu

Climate & Best Time to Visit

Jan – Mar 22–30°C
Cool & Dry
Best time to visit. Pleasant weather, low humidity, clear skies. Ideal for pilgrims and families.
Apr – Jun 28–38°C
Summer
Hot and humid. Annual Feast preparations begin in June. Book accommodation well ahead if visiting.
Jul – Sep 24–32°C
Pre-Monsoon & Feast
The Annual Feast falls here (Aug 29–Sep 8). Heavy pilgrimage crowds. Northeast monsoon begins late Sep.
Oct – Dec 22–28°C
Northeast Monsoon
Heavy rains, cyclone season (Oct–Nov). Cooler temperatures after December. Fewer pilgrims outside Christmas.
Town Census Data (2001)
Population 10,145
Literacy Rate 69% (above national avg. of 68%)
Male Literacy 75%
Female Literacy 64%
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Parish Rectors of the Velankanni Shrine - A 250-Year History

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The Velankanni Shrine has maintained a continuous succession of Parish Rectors under the Diocese of Thanjavur since 1771, when the major renovation of the church was completed and the formal rectorship system was established.

Key Milestones in Shrine Leadership

1771
First documented Parish Rector appointed - Fr. António do Rosário - following the major church renovation that year.
1962
Pope John XXIII elevated the shrine to a Minor Basilica - requiring the appointment of a Rector (not just a Parish Priest) under Canon Law.
2021
Most recently documented appointment: Fr. C. Irudhayaraj (November 2021). The full succession spans 250+ years and is maintained by the Diocese of Thanjavur.

Administrative Structure

The Velankanni Shrine functions as a Minor Basilica under the Bishop of Thanjavur. The Parish Rector is responsible for:

→ Overseeing all liturgical celebrations and Mass schedules across the four churches
→ Managing the Annual Feast (Aug 29–Sep 8) - coordinating with 15+ dioceses
→ Administering the Shrine Office, Historical Museum, and Annai Book Centre
→ Supporting the Shrine Hospice and pilgrim accommodation facilities
→ Coordinating the international devotee communities (Goa/Konkani, Kerala, Andhra, Karnataka, Sri Lanka)
→ Maintaining the shrine's votive offering collections and historical records

For the complete official list of Parish Rectors since 1771, contact the Shrine Office: +91 04365-263540 or visit during office hours (9 AM–5:30 PM, Mon–Sat).

About This Guide

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