Velankanni, Tamil Nadu · August 29 to September 8, 2027
Velankanni Festival
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Velankanni Festival
When is Velankanni Festival 2027?
Velankanni Festival 2027 runs August 29 to September 8, 2027. It's held on the same dates every year.
2027August 29 to September 8, 2027Every year
How the dates are set: The annual feast starts on August 29 and ends on the feast day, September 8, every year.
Velankanni Festival schedule
- August 29, 2026: The festival opened with the flag hoisting. The flag, showing Our Lady, was carried in a procession around the Basilica, then blessed and hoisted.
- August 29 to September 8: Novena prayers, Holy Masses, the Way of the Cross and devotional services follow. Masses are held in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, Hindi and English.
- September 7, 2026: The Grand Car Procession took place, with a decorated chariot carrying the image of Our Lady of Good Health through the streets around the shrine.
- September 8, 2026: The main feast day, remembering the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with special Masses and the lowering of the festival flag at the end.
Sources: tamilnadutourism.com, mgm-hotels.com
Getting to Velankanni Festival
- Velankanni is on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, 350 km south of Chennai.
- Pilgrims can travel by road, bus and train from Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Mysuru, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai. Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai can be used as connecting railway points.
- For the car procession, get there early and follow the official directions on traffic, parking and crowd movement.
Sources: jagranjosh.com, mgm-hotels.com, tamilnadutourism.com
Where to stay in Velankanni
- Book accommodation early, especially for the flag hoisting, the car procession and the feast day.
Source: mgm-hotels.com
History of Velankanni Festival
Devotion to Our Lady of Good Health at Velankanni dates to the 16th century. Velankanni became an independent parish in September 1771, and on November 3, 1962 Pope John XXIII elevated the shrine to a Basilica. It is popularly known as the Lourdes of the East.
Source: mgm-hotels.com
Velankanni Festival: questions people ask
Which date is the Velankanni Festival?
The annual feast runs from August 29 to September 8. In 2026 it ran for 11 days over those dates, with the main feast day on September 8.
What happens at the Velankanni Festival?
It opens with the flag hoisting and continues with novena prayers, Holy Masses, the Way of the Cross, the car procession and the feast day.
When is the Velankanni car procession?
In 2026 the Grand Car Procession was on September 7, the day before the main feast.
What time is the flag hoisting at Velankanni?
The flag hoisting opens the festival on August 29. One guide says a public flag hoisting is live-streamed each day at noon from August 30 to September 7.
When are the crowds smallest at the Velankanni Festival?
The first few days of September are suggested for visitors who want to avoid the very large crowds of the final days.
Sources: tamilnadutourism.com, mgm-hotels.com, jagranjosh.com
About Velankanni Festival
An 11-day Catholic pilgrimage feast at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, ending on September 8 with the car processions.
The Velankanni annual feast runs for 11 days, from August 29 to September 8, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health on the Coromandel Coast. It opens with the flag hoisting, then brings novena prayers, Masses in several languages and an evening car procession of illuminated cars carrying images of Our Lady. The feast day is September 8, the Nativity of Mary. Crowds peak on the final days, so rooms and transport book up well ahead.
Know before you go
- Book accommodation, trains and buses as far ahead as possible, especially for the car procession and feast day.
- Visiting in the first few days of September avoids the largest crowds of the final days.
- Velankanni is on the coast, about 350 km south of Chennai (MAA); Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) is another gateway, then travel on by road or rail.
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