According to the 20th-century publications, the origin of the Holy Shrine in Velankanni dates back to the 16th century. During this period, Velankanni witnessed the appearances of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus in her hand and worked miracles. The history of the church is well connected with those miracles, especially the third one (given under the title Stories and Legends). According to the oral tradition, the initial structure was built by a Catholic gentleman where the apparition of Mother Mary appeared. Later the Portuguese sailors, owing to their miraculous escape from a storm in the sea decided to fulfill their vow taken at that time. As a token of their gratitude, they built a beautiful chapel and the statue of Mother Mary was shifted to this new structure.

Initially, Velankanni was part of a much bigger parish called Nagapattinam. Later, considering the influx of visitors, it was given the status of an independent parish in 1771. Even though the shrine represents Catholicism, it opens its portals to all, irrespective ... More

According to the 20th-century publications, the origin of the Holy Shrine in Velankanni dates back to the 16th century. During this period, Velankanni witnessed the appearances of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus in her hand and worked miracles. The history of the church is well connected with those miracles, especially the third one (given under the title Stories and Legends). According to the oral tradition, the initial structure was built by a Catholic gentleman where the apparition of Mother Mary appeared. Later the Portuguese sailors, owing to their miraculous escape from a storm in the sea decided to fulfill their vow taken at that time. As a token of their gratitude, they built a beautiful chapel and the statue of Mother Mary was shifted to this new structure.

Initially, Velankanni was part of a much bigger parish called Nagapattinam. Later, considering the influx of visitors, it was given the status of an independent parish in 1771. Even though the shrine represents Catholicism, it opens its portals to all, irrespective of their faith.