Velankanni Beach

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.