Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Velankanni Basilica Festival Begins With Grand Flag-Hoisting Ceremony
The annual festival at Velankanni Basilica has started.
It began with a special ceremony to raise a flag showing Mother Mary.
Many thousands of people came from different parts of India and from other countries.
The flag was carried in a procession before Bishop Sagayaraj blessed it.
After the flag was raised, the basilica was lit up and fireworks were set off.
The festival will last for 10 days.
A large car procession will take place on September 7.
A special Mass will be held on September 8, which is celebrated as Mother Mary’s birthday.
Police, buses and trains have been arranged to help keep visitors safe and transport them.
The 10-day annual festival at Velankanni Basilica began Saturday with a ceremonial flag-hoisting.
Lakhs of devotees joined a procession carrying a flag bearing the image of Mother Mary.
Bishop Sagayaraj blessed the flag before it was raised amid hymns and chants.
The grand car procession is scheduled for September 7, followed by a special Mass on September 8.
Authorities deployed 2,000 police personnel, while special buses and trains were arranged for pilgrims.
- Who
- Lakhs of devotees, Bishop Sagayaraj, government officials, church representatives and police participated in or supported the festival.
- What
- The 10-day annual festival of the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health began with a ceremonial flag-hoisting.
- When
- The festival began on Saturday; the grand car procession is scheduled for September 7 and the special Mass for September 8.
- Where
- The celebrations are taking place at the Velankanni Basilica in Velankanni, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The festival is held to celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary.
- Festival duration
- 10 days
- Opening ceremony
- Ceremonial flag-hoisting after a procession through Beach Road and Arya Nattu Street
- Main procession
- Grand car procession scheduled for September 7
- Special Mass
- Concelebrated Mass scheduled for September 8
- Religious services
- Novena prayers, Marian prayers, concelebrated Masses and Eucharistic blessings
- Languages for Masses
- Konkani, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada
- Security
- Six Superintendents of Police and 2,000 police personnel deployed