On the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal is situated the town of Velankanni. It is also known as Velanganni. Nagapattinam is about 15 km from here and Chennai about 350 km. Velankanni is a historic port of India and it had trade with Rome and Greece in the ancient times. Although the Tsunami of 2004 took a toll on the town and its inhabitants, the town has now recovered from the shock and is vibrant again. Velankanni is most famous for the shrine of Our Lady of Good Health. Earlier this hamlet was famously called the City of Coromandel. Vellayar river flows through this town. Pilgrims turn up in large numbers at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Hotels in Velankanni offer a good stay at a reasonable tariff to their guests and there are plenty of accommodation choices for visitors, from hotels to guesthouses to bread and breakfast arrangements.

The Basilica is mostly popular among the Catholic pilgrims and the extended Basilica resembles the Marian Shrine of Lourdes in France. The original Basilica at Velankanni was built in the 16th century and it is believed that its origin relates to three miracles — apparition of Jesus and Mary to a shepherd, curing of buttermilk seller, and the Portuguese sailors surviving a dangerous sea storm. In 1962, Pope John XXIII raised the status of the church and hence it became a basilica. It is estimated that every year more than 20 million pilgrims visit this shrine from all over the world. There is an annual festival that is held between August 29 to September 8, during which the Feast of the Nativity of Mary is celebrated.

There are many heritages and architectural wonders spread across India which you can discover to your own amazement and delight. Basilica of Velankanni is just one of those. Besides the Basilica, there are many other places in this city of Coromandel that you can visit. Velankanni Beach is a nice place for relaxing and refreshing yourself along the vast scape of the open sea and shimmering sands. Sikkal is a place in Velankanni where you can visit the temple of Lord Singaravelan. Another temple, SriRangam temple is believed to be the first Vaishnav Mandir of South India. There are many churches and temples in the town. You can also visit the museums and the Tsunami Memorial Tower.