Velankanni Beach

Velankanni Beach Overview

Velankanni Beach is one of the most popular beach located in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Church of Our Lady of Health is located very close to the beach which makes it a pilgrim hotspot. The origins of this church can be traced back to the 16th century and its founding is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and Jesus to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the survival of Portuguese sailors assaulted by a violent sea storm. The beach is very close to the Vellaiyar River where boating services are available depending on the level of the water. This river joins directly into the Bay of Bengal, making it a unique boating experience. Velankanni is located at approx 14km from Nagapattinam, 162km from Puducherry, 243km from Madurai, 313km from Chennai, 481km from Bengaluru, 545km from Kochi.