Velankanni festival
Date : August 29 - Sep 8, 2011
Venue : Velankanni Church, Tamil Nadu
The Velankanni festival of the Velankanni Church, situated in the South Indian hamlet of the same name, is celebrated every year from August 29 to September 8. September 8 is considered auspicious because it was the day the Portuguese sailors, who built the church, first landed in these parts.
On August 29, a huge procession of devotees make their way to the church. Once they reach there, there is a grand flag hoisting ceremony, attended by highly placed officials of the area. This marks the beginning of the festival. The chariot procession begins at 8 pm and carries the chariots of The Mother, St. Michael and St. Joseph.
Apart from this procession held on the first day, there are chariot processions for every day of the festival. On the penultimate day, six chariots take part and on the last day, seven.
During the festival days, the holy Mass is conducted in English, Konkani, Marathi, Malayalam and Telugu. On other days, it is conducted in Tamil, Malayalam and English, from 6 am in the morning till 6.30 pm in the evening (rosary and novena prayers).
Velankanni means ‘Virgin of the town of Velai’. The hamlet, visited by pilgrims throughout the year, is located 350 kilometers south of Chennai .
Venue : Velankanni Church, Tamil Nadu
The Velankanni festival of the Velankanni Church, situated in the South Indian hamlet of the same name, is celebrated every year from August 29 to September 8. September 8 is considered auspicious because it was the day the Portuguese sailors, who built the church, first landed in these parts.
On August 29, a huge procession of devotees make their way to the church. Once they reach there, there is a grand flag hoisting ceremony, attended by highly placed officials of the area. This marks the beginning of the festival. The chariot procession begins at 8 pm and carries the chariots of The Mother, St. Michael and St. Joseph.
Apart from this procession held on the first day, there are chariot processions for every day of the festival. On the penultimate day, six chariots take part and on the last day, seven.
During the festival days, the holy Mass is conducted in English, Konkani, Marathi, Malayalam and Telugu. On other days, it is conducted in Tamil, Malayalam and English, from 6 am in the morning till 6.30 pm in the evening (rosary and novena prayers).
Velankanni means ‘Virgin of the town of Velai’. The hamlet, visited by pilgrims throughout the year, is located 350 kilometers south of Chennai .
