Velankanni church at Chennai is located at the famous Eliot’s beach in Besant Nagar. It is one of the important monuments of Chennai city. Being located at the Elliot’s beach on the shore of Bay of Bengal this shrine is as like a heaven for the pilgrims.
About Velankanni Church :
The Annai Velankanni Shrine is situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal, at the Elliot’s beach, in Chennai. The Church is a popular tourist destination for visitors who come to offer prayers or visit the beautiful Bessie beach.
The name Annai Velankanni strikes a deep chord of reverence amongst the devout of all religions in the south of India. The church is the replica of the Basilica of Our Lady of Health at Velankanni. People belonging to different faiths gather here to pray for the health and happiness of their loved ones as it is believed that one will get the same blessings in this shrine of Virgin Mary as he gets in Velankanni.
Attraction Of Velankanni Church In Chennai :
Annai Velankanni Shrine is situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal, at the Elliot’s beach, in Chennai. This beautiful shrine is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Annai Velankani. The church is the replica of the Basilica of Our Lady of Health, Velankani. People belonging to all faith and religion gather here for worship. This church attracts lots and lots of people and it is believed that one will get the same blessings in this shrine of Virgin Mary as he gets in Velankani.
History Velankanni Church In Chennai :
In 1971, this Church was a substation of St Louis Church, Adyar.Fr PT Arulappa, the then Parish Priest, St Louis Church, Adyar and a great Missionary started Our Lady of Vailankanni Church under trying conditions.The Archbishop of Madras Mylapore, Most Rev Dr R Arulappa, erected it as a separate Parish in 1973. The imposing 97 feet belfry was declared open by the then Chief Minister Dr M Karunanidhi 27th August 1972. On 15th August 1985 a bigger Church was blessed and consecrated by Archbishop Most Rev Dr R Arulappa. By the efforts of Rev Fr PJ Lawrence Raj, several extensions and renovations were made to this Shrine. A beautiful community hall, stalls, Museum and class room blocks were constructed. In May 2000, nearly 8 grounds were purchased and a beautiful stage was erected and dedicated to Jubilee 2000. In 2001 a small Chapel for the blessed Sacrament was built. In 2002 a grotto depicting the miracles of Our Lady of Good Health was created. In 2003, Mother Mary’s Square and Reconciliation Chapel was constructed. From 2000 to 2003, 3 grounds were purchased in which the new Convent building stands. On 8th September 2005 this Church was decreed as a Shrine of the Archdiocese of Madras ‘ Mylapore by the Most Rev Dr AM Chinnappa SDB, Archbishop of Madras ‘ Mylapore.
Places In Velankanni Church Chennai :
Madha Church(Shrine) : The famous chapel dedicated to the Annai Vailankanni Our Lady of Good Health, Besant Nagar.
This was originally built in 1972. The upper portion of the walls is covered with paintings on the Apparitions of Our Lady of good Health. This was expanded in September 2000.
Church : The big Church (Velankanni Church Chennai)is where regular Sunday Mass, Marriage services and 1st friday & 1st saturday services are conducted.
Mother Mary’s Square : was constructed in the year 2003 with the intention of visually presenting the four apparitions of Blessed Virgin Mary recognized by the Catholic Church. They are as follows:
Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531)
Our Lady of La Salette (1846)
Our Lady of Lourdes (1858)
Our Lady of Fatima (1917)
People come here to recollect the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and pay homage in the devotion to Our Mother.
The Grotto : The Grotto was constructed in the year 2002.
A banyan tree is the base under which are depicted the 3 Apparitions of Our Lady of Good Health at Vailankanni. Devotees offer sarees in thanksgiving to Annai Vailankanni, which are draped around the statue of Mother Mary.
Adoration Chapel : Opened in September 2001, this air-conditioned chapel creates and provides a serene atmosphere for people who come here to pray to the Eucharistic Lord.
It is open to the faithful from 7:00am. to 8:30pm. on all days. Every Thursday special Adoration service take place in the evening from 7.30pm to 8.30pm
. During the rest of the day the chapel is open for personal prayer, meditation and reflection.
Location Velankanni Church In Chennai :
Velankanni Church is located in Nagapattinam. You can travel to Nagapattinam by train, which you can catch from Tambaram station. It is an overnight journey. You can get into Tambaram station within 45 minutes from the Madras central. You can also travel to Nagapattinam by road hire any deluxe or ‘call taxis’. These deluxe taxis offer the facility by which you can drive these cabs yourself. You can also hire the call taxis for which you need to call them up and fix your tour and also the charges of your tour. The standard charge of the private cabs is Rs.4.50 per kilometer or Rs.30 per hour. You can also tour to the Velankanni Church in Madras from Trichy and Thanjavur by rail. The distance of Nagapattinam from Madras or Chennai is about 350 kms. Chennai is the present name of the earlier Madras city.
Mass ? Timings / Language :
First Sat: – 6.30 am,10.30 am,12.00 noon, 5.45 pm -Tamil
10.00 pm All Night Adoration & 1st Sunday – 4.00 am – Tamil
Every Sat: 6.30 am, 11.00 am, 6.00 pm Tamil & 7.30 am – English
Sunday – 6.15 am, 9.00 am (Church & Children – P T Arulappa Hall)
12 noon – Tamil
7.45 am (Church & Children – P T Arulappa Hall),
6.30 pm – English
Every Second Sunday: 11.00 am – Malayalam
Eucharistic Chapel Timings : 7-00 am to 9.00 pm
Address :
Annai Velankanni Shrine
Besant Nagar
Elliots Beach Road,
Chennai – 600 090.