Giispune at 04:18, 7 May 2026

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
| fullname = Shrine Basilica Vailankanni
| image = Velankanni Church 2026.jpg
| landscape =
| caption = [[Façade]] of the shrine, 2026
| location = [[Velankanni]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| country = [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|10|40|48|N|79|50|59|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin map = India
| denomination = [[Catholic Church]] 
| sui iuris church = [[Latin Church]]
| churchmanship =
| membership =
| attendance =
| website = https://vailankannishrine.net/
| former name =
| bull date =
| founded date =
| founder =
| dedication = [[Our Lady of Good Health]]
| dedicated date =
| consecrated date = 1962
| cult =
| relics =
| events =
| past bishop =
| people =
| status = [[Minor basilica]]
| functional status = Active
| heritage designation =
| designated date =
| architect =
| architectural type = [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]]
| diocese = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Tanjore|Tanjore ''(Thanjavur)'']]
| archbishop = [[Francis Kalist]]
| bishop = [[Sagayaraj Thamburaj]]
| rector = Rev. Fr. C.Irudayaraj
| priest = Arputharaj S, Vice-Rector and parish priest
| serversguild =
| logo =
}}
The '''Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health''', also known as '''Sanctuary of Our Lady of Velankanni''', is a [[Christian]] [[Shrines to the Virgin Mary|shrine]] located at the town of [[Velankanni]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. The shrine is dedicated to the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Blessed Virgin Mary]].

The devotion has existed since the mid-sixteenth century, it is attributed to three separate events which occurred at the site: The [[Marian apparition|apparition]] of the [[Madonna and Child]] to a slumbering shepherd boy, the [[miraculous]] healing of a [[disability|handicapped]] buttermilk vendor and the rescue of [[Portuguese India Armadas|Portuguese sailors]] from a deadly sea storm.

Initially, a modest chapel was built by the [[Portuguese in Goa and Bombay|Portuguese from Goa and Bombay]], soon after they washed ashore safely in spite of a severe [[storm|tempest]]. An annual [[novena]] is celebrated and draws nearly 5 million pilgrims each year.

[[Pope John XXIII]] raised the Marian shrine to the status of a [[minor basilica]] via the [[Decretum laudis|pontifical decree]] ''Salutem Supplicibus Dilargiens'', signed & notarised on 3 November 1962. He called the shrine "the [[Lourdes]] of the East" due to the massive influx of [[pilgrim]]s.

==History==
[[File:Our Lady of Velankani.png|thumb|alt=Velankani Drav Mata.| ''Velankanni Maatha: அன்னை, Drav-Tarani Aṉṉai, द्रवतारणी'', [[Star of the Sea]]s]]

Marian apparitions at Velankanni include three of the Virgin of Velankanni in the 16th century, according to oral lore and popular belief. The third noteworthy incident is the reported miraculous rescue of the Portuguese in Goa and Bombay-Bassein, who were sailing away from a deadly monsoon surge and tempest, in the [[Bay of Bengal]] in the late 17th century.<ref name="history">[http://vailankanni.info/marian-apparitions/ History of the basilica on its home page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203024943/http://www.vailankannishrinebasilica.org/vailankannishrinebasilica/shrine-history.htm |date=3 December 2007}}</ref>

[[File:MadhaKulam.JPG|thumb|This well/pool is situated where the first apparition had occurred.]]

The first Marian apparition is said to have occurred in May 1570, when a local shepherd boy was delivering milk to a nearby house. Along the way he met a beautiful woman holding a child, who asked for some milk for the child. After giving her some milk, he continued on under the hot tropical sun, upon finishing his deliveries he found that the jug was still full of fresh and cool milk. A small shrine was built near the site where the boy encountered the woman, a location that came to be called ''Maatha Kulam'', which means "Mother's well" in [[Tamil language]].<ref name=cvoice>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110213110628/http://www.catholicvoice.ie/features/2009/08/02/our_lady_of_health_velankanni_india Thomas, William. "Our Lady of Health, Velankanni, India", ''Catholic Voice'', 2 August 2009]</ref>

The second Marian apparition is said to have happened in 1597, not far from ''Maatha Kulam''. A beautiful woman with a child in her arms appeared to a crippled boy selling buttermilk. The child asked for a drink of buttermilk. After he drank it, the woman told the boy to visit a gentleman in the next town and ask him to build a chapel in her honour at that location. As the boy set out he realised he had been healed and was no longer lame. A small thatched chapel was built shortly thereafter in honour of "Our Lady of Good Health" or ''Aarokia Maatha'' in Tamil.<ref name=cvoice/>

The third notable incident occurred when a Portuguese ship sailing from [[Macao]] to [[Ceylon (Sri Lanka)]] was caught in extreme weather in the Bay of Bengal. The terrified sailors invoked the aid of the Virgin Mary under her title [[Our Lady, Star of the Sea]]. The raging storm suddenly subsided and the entire crew of 150 on board the ship were saved from [[capsizing]]. This happened on 8 September, the feast day of the [[Nativity of Mary]]. In thanksgiving the sailors rebuilt the shrine, and continued to visit and donate to the cause of the shrine whenever their voyages brought them to the area.<ref name=cvoice/>

The shrine that began as a thatched chapel in the mid-sixteenth century and became a [[parish church]] in 1771, when [[Roman Catholicism in India|Indian Catholics]] were persecuted in the erstwhile [[Dutch Coromandel]], after the [[Luso-Dutch war]] was waged by [[Dutch Protestant]]s.<ref name="tn">[http://www.nagapattinam.tn.nic.in/church.html VAILANKANNI – an Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929150158/http://www.nagapattinam.tn.nic.in/church.html |date=2007-09-29 }} on [[Tamil Nadu]] government website</ref>

In August 2024, the [[Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith]]'s Cardinal [[Víctor Manuel Fernández]] confirmed to Bishop [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Tanjore|Sagayaraj Thamburaj]], [[Pope Francis]]' approval of the devotion to [[Our Lady of Good Health]] at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Millare |first1= Kristina |title=Vatican Approves India's Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Health Ahead of Shrine's Feast Day|url=https://www.ncregister.com/cna/vatican-approves-india-s-sanctuary-of-our-lady-of-good-health-ahead-of-shrine-s-feast-day |accessdate=August 10, 2024 |publisher= [[National Catholic Register]]|date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

== Significance and pilgrimage ==
{{See also|Mannat}}
[[File:Shrine basilica vailankanni.jpg|thumb|The basilica with a flag visible in the background]]
For [[Goan people|Goan]] and [[Konkani people]], she is called [[Shantadurga]] ("most compassionate one").<ref>Margaret Meibohm [http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI3138054/ Cultural complexity in South India: Hindu and Catholic in Marian pilgrimage] University of Pennsylvania</ref>{{or|date=October 2021}} This especially includes use of ''Kotimaram'' or ''[[Dwajasthamba]]'', 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.<ref>D Mosse ''Catholic Saints and the Hindu Village Pantheon in Rural Tamil Nadu, India'', Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland</ref><ref>Corinne G Dempsey, Selva J. Raj [https://books.google.com/books?id=zv42cV5dQmYC&dq=Velankanni+Hindu&pg=PA27 ''Popular Christianity in India: Riting Between the Lines''] State University of New York press.</ref>

The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. The Virgin Mary is depicted wearing a [[sari]]. The usual times for pilgrimage are during the annual festival between 29 August to 8 September, [[Holy Week]] and Christmas.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110629014331/http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/25/stories/2006122505140300.htm "Thousands of pilgrims throng Velankanni for Christmas"] news from ''The Hindu''</ref> Some pilgrims, instead of using a mode of transport, perform "walking pilgrimages" to it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/More-than-20000-devotees-walk-to-Velankanni-ahead-of-flag-hoisting/articleshow/22130361.cms|title=More than 20,000 devotees walk to Velankanni ahead of flag-hoisting – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=29 August 2013 |access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref> They attend [[Mass (Catholic Church)|mass]], [[novena]]s, flag-hoisting and carry a ''[[palanquin]]'' of Mary in a procession. 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.<ref name=":0" /> The pilgrims sometimes [[Tonsure|shave their heads]] as an offering and perform [[Ear piercing|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/mumbai/melting-pot-taking-a-trip-to-velankanni-to-find-solace-in-mother-mary/|title=Melting pot: Taking a trip to Velankanni, to find solace in Mother Mary|newspaper=The Indian Express|first=Neha|last=Kulkarni|date=2016-08-29|access-date=2020-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/thousands-throng-velankanni-to-take-part-in-the-grand-car-procession/article9082163.ece|title=Thousands throng Velankanni to take part in the grand car procession|date=2016-09-08|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>

Due to the number of pilgrim visits during festival season, the [[Indian Railways]] introduced special train services to the town of [[Velankanni Town|Velankanni]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/special-trains-for-velankanni-festival-rush/articleshow/53865745.cms|title=Special trains for Velankanni festival rush – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 August 2016 |access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref>

==Architecture==

[[File:Velankanni Basilica complex.png|thumb|Layout of the basilica complex: 1. Basilica, 2. ''Nadu Thittu'' shrine, site of second apparition, 3. Adoration & Reconciliation chapel, 4. Our Lady's Pond, site of first apparition, 5. [[Stations of the Cross]], 6. Mysteries of the [[Rosary]], 7. the [[Sacraments]]]]
The basilica is built in the [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style of architecture. The southern side was extended in 1928 and the northern in 1933.<ref name="archi1">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071009055016/http://www.vailankannichurch.org/about-vailankanni.htm About Velankanni]}} on www.velankannichurch.org.</ref> The Shrine Basilica contains three chapels, as well as Our Lady's Tank, Church Museum, Priests' Residence, Offering Center, [[Stations of the Cross]], mysteries of the [[rosary]], Shrine Mega Mahal and Vailankanni Beach. The building is painted in white, except for the roof that is made of red tiles.

[[File:Annai Velankanni Church.webm|thumb|Annai Velankanni Church]]
[[File:Annai Velankanni Feast 2012.webm|thumb|Annai Velankanni Feast 2012]]
The early part of the 20th century marked rivalry between [[Jesuits]] and [[Order of Friars Minor|Franciscans]] regarding their influence on missionary work in Velankanni. In 1928, the Jesuit 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 wings, to the right and to the left of the 'Main Altar', meeting the nave at right angles.<ref name="velaboutchurch"/>

A spacious vestry was provided immediately behind the altar. Thus the entire sacred edifice began to assume the shape of a Latin cross. Right over the center of the ancient main altar was the miraculous image of Our Lady of Good Health.<ref name="velaboutchurch"/>

In 1956, a new welcome arch was blessed and opened by Bishop [[Rajarethinam Arokiasamy Sundaram]]. The illuminated arch stood to show the way to eager pilgrims who sought the protection of Mary. In January 1961, a new central [[altar]], executed in white marble, replaced the former one made of cement concrete.<ref name="archi1"/> In 1974–75, an extension of the basilica was built behind the existing central altar to accommodate the multilingual pilgrims. The extension included a two-storied church with {{convert|93|ft|m}} high [[dome]] and {{convert|82|ft|m}} high gothic spirals.<ref name="velaboutchurch"/> It was designed to resemble the [[Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes|Basilica]] in Lourdes, France.<ref name=":0">[https://web.archive.org/web/20050510113156/http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/08/stories/2005050800720300.htm All roads lead to Velankanni] on ''The Hindu'' news.</ref>

==List of parish priests==
The basilica first became a parish in 1771.<ref name="tn"/> The list of parish priests (mainly [[Portugal|Portuguese]]) from 1771 until now is as follows:<ref name="velaboutchurch">[http://www.velankannichurch.com/pages/aboutchurch/aboutchurch.html About Church] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122121922/http://www.velankannichurch.com/pages/aboutchurch/aboutchurch.html |date=2012-11-22 }} on VelankanniChurch.com</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+List of Parish priests of the basilica
!S.no
!Year
!Month
!Parish Priest
!Notes
|-
|1
|1771
|Sep
|António do Rosário
|
|-
|2
|1774
|Aug
|José de Santa Rosa de Viterbo
|
|-
|3
|1777
|Jul
|António do Rosário, Commissary
|
|-
|4
|1779
|Sep
|Luís dos Remédios
|
|-
|5
|1783
|Jan
|António do Rosário, Commissary
|
|-
|6
|1788
|Dec
|António de Jesus Maria José
|
|-
|7
|1789
|Sep
|António do Rosário, Commissary
|
|-
|8
|1792
|Sep
|José de Santa Rosa de Viterbo, Commissary
|
|-
|9
|1814
|May
|Constaantino de Jesus Maria, Commissary
|
|-
|10
|1819
|May
|Tomás da Piedade
|
|-
|11
|1822
|Feb
|Francisco Xavier Mascarenhas
|
|-
|12
|1822
|Aug
|Francisco das Dores
|
|-
|13
|1824
|May
|Felipe de Jesus
|
|-
|14
|1825
|Sep
|Francisco Dos Dores
|
|-
|15
|1828
|Jun
|Felipe de Jesus
|
|-
|16
|1829
|May
|Clemente das Dores
|
|-
|17
|1847
|Oct
|Isidoro Manuel Alemão
|
|-
|18
|1858
|Apr
|José Felix Fernandes, AG.PP
|
|-
|19
|1863
|Nov
|Felipe de Nery Joaquim Dias
|
|-
|20
|1876
|May
|Inácio António de Andrade
|
|-
|21
|1886
|Aug
|Miguel Francisco Fernandes
|
|-
|22
|1890
|Dec
|Joaquim José, Ag. P. Vic. Nagapattinam
|
|-
|23
|1891
|Feb
|Guilherme José Dias
|
|-
|24
|1892
|Dec
|Joaquim José Luís, Ag. P. Vic. Nagapattinam
|
|-
|25
|1893
|Mar
|Martinho Valeriano de Sá
|
|-
|26
|1899
|Sep
|Joaquim Francisco da Piedade Dias
|
|-
|27
|1900
|Aug
|Camilo Fernandes
|
|-
|28
|1910
|Jun
|Sebastião Xavier de Noronha
|
|-
|29
|1942
|Sep
|M. V. Rodrigues
|
|-
|30
|1963
|Jun
|S. Maria Soosai
|
|-
|31
|1980
|Sep
|Tomás Vaz
|
|-
|32
|1982
|Sep
|S. L. Gabriel
|
|-
|33
|1990
|May
|M.M. Sammanasu
|
|-
|34
|1997
|Jun
|G. Arul Iruthayam
|
|-
|35
|2003
|Jun
|P. Xavier
|
|-
|36
|2009
|Jun
|A. Michael
|
|-
|37
|2015
|Jun
|A.M.A. Prabakar
|
|-
|38
|2021
|Nov
|C. Irudayaraj
|
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery heights="160">
File:Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu Entrance.jpg|Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu - entrance
File:Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu.jpg|Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu
File:VeilankanniChurchExtn.jpg|Velankanni - basilica extension
File:VeilankanniPond.JPG|Velankanni Church pond
File:Holy path Vailankanni.jpg|Pilgrims walking on their knees towards the pond
File:VeilankanniAdorationCenter.jpg|Velankanni - Adoration Center
File:Vailankanni Basilica.JPG|Velankanni Basilica
File:VelankanniPanorama.jpg|Velankanni Basilica - a panoramic side view - church and church extension seen at a stretch
File:Main-Church-Left-Side-View-Veilankanni.JPG|Velankanni Basilica - side left side view
File:Velankanni Flagpole.jpg|Flag pole at the church
File:Velankanni Apostalic Brief.jpg|alt=Velankanni Apostalic Brief|Velankanni apostolic brief
File:Velankanni proclamation Inscription.jpg|Velankanni proclamation Inscription
</gallery>

== In popular culture ==
The basilica is a recurring setting in the Tamil film ''[[Annai Velankanni]]'' (1971). It also appears as a minor setting in the [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam-]]Tamil bilingual film ''[[Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam]]'' (2022) and the Malayalam film ''[[Pulimada]]'' (2023).

==See also==
*[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Tanjore]]
*[[List of basilicas in India]]
*[[Basilica of Our Lady of Health, Harihar]]
*[[Marian apparitions#Apparitions with no or undocumented approval|Marian apparition]]
*[[Christianity in Tamil Nadu]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health}}
* [https://www.vailankannishrine.net/ Sanctuary of Our Lady of Vailankanni] – Official website
* [https://vailankannishrine.tv/ Marian Shrine of Vailankanni TV] – Live streaming
* [https://medium.com/@weareji/lourdes-of-the-east-96314c5a01e7 Lourdes of the East]

{{Nagapattinam district}}
{{Basilicas in India}}

[[Category:Shrines to the Virgin Mary|Good Health]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic church buildings in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Catholic pilgrimage sites]]
[[Category:Basilica churches in Tamil Nadu|Our Lady of Good Health]]
[[Category:Churches in Nagapattinam district]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic shrines in India]]

Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health - Revision history

Giispune at 04:18, 7 May 2026