Understand
[edit]
Velankanni is a major pilgrimage centre for the Catholic Christian community in India. It is the location of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health dedicated to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]Nearest airport is Tiruchirappali (TRZ IATA) that is about 165 km (103 mi) from Velankanni.
By train
[edit]- Velankanni SR .
By car
[edit]Buses are available for Chidambaram, Chennai, Madurai, Pondicherry, Trichy(141 km) and Thanjavur (89 km). Buses run from Nagapattinam. Velankanni is connected to all the major towns and cities in and around Tamilnadu. Regular bus services are available to Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur and Pondicherry etc.
By bus
[edit]From Chennai
[edit]- Universal Travels operates bus service from Chennai to Velankanni, the bus is a AC Seater bus. It departs from Chennai at 1PM. The fare is approximately ₹360. There is a Non A/C Seater/Sleeper which departs from Chennai at 9PM and the fare is ₹310/₹370. There is a Non A/C Seater/Sleeper which departs from Chennai at 10PM and the fare is ₹300/₹370. There is a Non A/C Seater which departs from Chennai at 11PM and the fare is ₹360. One can book the tickets from this [ http://www.universaltravels.in/site/unisite/index.jsp website.]
- RathiMeena Travels operates bus service from Chennai to Velankanni, the bus is a Volvo AC Seater bus. It departs from Chennai at 1:30PM and reaches Velankanni at 8PM. The fare is approximately ₹440.
- PRN Subramanian Travels operates bus service from Chennai to Velankanni, the bus is a Volvo AC Seater bus. It departs from Chennai at 1:30PM and reaches Velankanni at 8PM. The fare is approximately ₹340.
From Bangalore
[edit]- Gokulraj Travels operates bus service from Bangalore to Velankanni, the bus is a non AC Seater bus. It departs from Bangalore at 9PM and reaches Velankanni at 6AM the next day. The fare is approximately ₹490.
- SPS Travels(Rukma Travels) operates 2 buses from Bangalore to Velankanni, the bus is a non AC Seater/Sleeper bus. It departs from Bangalore at 9PM and reaches Velankanni at 8AM the next day. The fare is approximately ₹460 to ₹550.
- Universal Travels operates bus service from Bangalore to Velankanni, the bus is a non AC Seater/Sleeper bus. It departs from Bangalore at 8PM and reaches Velankanni at 5AM the next day. The fare is approximately ₹500. You can book the tickets from this [ http://www.universaltravels.in/site/unisite/index.jsp website.]
Get around
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See
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- 1 Basilica of Our Lady of Health, Velankanni. Daily 6:30AM to 8PM. This Gothic church was raised to the status of a basilica in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. A beautiful museum is attached to the church.
- 2 Morning Star Church.
- 3 Velankanny Port (Velankanni Beach), Beach with many temples..
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Try the fresh fish fries available at the seaside, made as your choice but only if you are satisfied with the cleanliness.
- Arya Bhavan Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263675.
- Chandra Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263462.
- Picnic Kerala Restaurant (Picnic Hotel), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263510.
- Seagate Family Restaurant (Seagate Hotel), Velankanni.
- Velankanni Restaurant (Velankanni Hotel), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263527.
Drink
[edit]Velankanni is a coastal area. Therefore it is very hot during summer. There are a lot of shops selling cold water and other cold drinks(non-alcoholic).
Sleep
[edit]The church authorities have simple affordable rooms beginning from ₹60 to ₹300. There are also other private hotels/lodges.
- 1 Golden Sands Hotel (Hotel Golden Sand), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263426.
- Little Flower Pilgrimage Quarters, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263512.
- M .G. M. Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263336.
- 2 Picnic Hotel (Hotel Picnic), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263510.
- 3 Prakash Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263740.
- 4 Seagate Hotel (Hotel Seagate), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263910.
- 5 Seagate Resorts, Velankanni, ☏ +91 9842456109.
- V. J. Lodge, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263861.
- Velankanni Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263527.
- S. P. T. Lodge, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365264071.
Connect
[edit]- Area Code National, ☏ +91 4365.
- Area Code International, ☏ +91 4365.
- Transport Office, ☏ +91 4365263467.
- Railway Enquiry, ☏ +91 4365263516.
- Police Station, ☏ +91 4365263100.
- Arogyamatha Hospital, ☏ +91 4365264409.
Nearby
[edit]Point Calimere
[edit]Point Calimere or Kodiakkarai (கோடியக்கரை Kōṭiyakkarai).
- 1 Kodi Kuzhagar Temple (கோடிக் குழகர் கோயில்). A Shiva temple, originally believed to have been built by the Cholas and it has several inscriptions dating back to the Chola period. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30AM to 8PM.
- 2 Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary is an area of high biodiversity, with many unique species of animals and birds. Migratory birds arrive between October and March.
