This shrine is better known as “Lourdes of the East”…

About 350 km south of Chennai, near Nagapattinam stands the city of Vailankanni. It has been put on the tourist map because of the Vailankanni shrine, which is known to have miraculous healing powers. The pilgrims and the devout, trek from far and near to seek the blessings of, and offer Novena to Our Lady of Good Health, at Vailankanni, which when translated, means the “the shrine of the Virgin of Velai”

The story goes that in the early 16th century, an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared, at this very spot, holding infant Jesus in her arms. She cured the sick and dying and made the cripple walk, performing miracles for the devout. In one such apparition, she requested the devout to construct a shrine for her. A small thatched chapel was built at the location to offer prayers to the benevolent Virgin. Much later, it was some devoted Portuguese merchants who constructed a church at the site.

Franciscan missionaries extended the church further, to accommodate the swelling stream of devotees who now flocked to the church. Gothic domes were added and the nave was extended. The museum holds interesting relics as well as contributions by the devotees who experienced Our Lady’s miraculous healing powers. The Vailankanni festival is held in September every year.