Velankanni Beach
About Velankanni Beach
Far From City: 1 kms from city center
Cost:
About Velankanni Beach
Weather:
Time Required:1-2 hrs
Open Time:Sunrise to Sunset
Cost:No entry fee
Pilgrimage at Vellankanni
Velankanni has one of the country's largest Catholic pilgrimage centres, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. The pilgrim is devoted to Our Lady of Good Health and is popularly known as the 'Lourdes of the East' throughout the world. The origins of the church can be traced back to the 16th century where the church was first built in Roman-Gothic style. During the Portugal invasion, changes were made to the structure by their architects. The church has had a few expansion due to the growing influx of pilgrims.
The founding of the church is attributed to three miracles which are: the apparition of Jesus and Mary to a sleeping shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor and the survival of Portuguese soldiers who were assaulted by the violent sea. The church building was raised to the status of basilica by Pope John, the 23rd in 1962. It is reported that over 20 million pilgrims flock to the region from all over the world annually. The church celebrates an 11- day festival from 29th August to 8th September. During this period a total of 3 million pilgrims are believed to attend the festival.
Sea Food at Velankanni
If you happen to go to Velankanni and not indulge your taste buds in seafood, you would be missing out on an experience of a lifetime. It almost like visiting Agra and missing out on seeing the Taj Mahal. The fishermen of Velankanni pride themselves on their daily catch, and the chefs of Velankanni use age-old recipes to turn the catch into sumptuous meals. The cuisine of this region ranges from easy, on-the-go snacks to spicy curries that leave you craving for more. They are served traditionally on a banana leaf.
The locals enjoy their daily meals with a seafood dish on their plates. Sitting on the sandy shores while the salty breeze gently blows through your hair while a piping hot plate of fish fry and prawn curry is probably the best experience one can have at the Velankanni beach.
How to Reach Velankanni Beach
Velankanni lies on the East Coast Road, about 350 kilometres from Chennai. The town of Velankanni has a railway station which connects throughout the country. Buses from various points of the town go to the beach. It is a very popular spot, autos can also be hired from across the town to reach the beach.
Top Tourist Places in Velankanni
Velankanni Beach
Nagapattinam
Velankanni Church Museum
Sikkal
Handicrafts and silk
All Tourist Places in Velankanni
Tips
1. Beach gets crowded after 9:00 AM, Early morning visits are recommended.2. The water can rise to high tides, so be cautious while swimming.3. Boating in Vellaiyar River is recommended, it is walking distance from the beach.
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