On Sunday, huge crowds gathered in Besant Nagar around the Velankanni Church to celebrate the opening of the annual festival with its flag-raising ceremony. Attendees raised their right hand or folded them in prayer as they fervently sung "Ave Maria" in Tamil.
This 10-day festival is a smaller version of the one celebrated in the small town of Velankanni, located about 150 mi (240 km) south of Chennai along the Bay of Bengal. According to legend, Mary and the infant Jesus appeared three times here, first to a Hindu boy, then to a physically disabled boy (who was then healed), and lastly rescued some Portuguese sailor merchants from a terrible sea storm. September 8 marks the day of the merchants' landing and dedication of a chapel in Mary's honor. It is said that at both Velankanni churches, healings and other miracles occur, which draws a large gathering of people from all faiths. This seaside town of 10,000 swells during the festival, with some pilgrims walking many weeks to arrive. In fact, the Velankanni church attracts more pilgrims than any other sacred shrine in India.
No comments:
Post a Comment