Tamil Nadu   

Medical camp for pilgrims going to Velankanni fest

— Photo: M. Srinath

Community service: Pilgrims walking to Velankanni attending a medical camp in Thanjavur on Wednesday.

THANJAVUR: Come August-September, it is time for Velankanni festival.

The Basilica of Lady of Health attracts lakhs of pilgrims from all over the world every year.

A unique feature of the event is that most of the devotees from different parts of the State walk to the Basilica.

Thus people from Nagercoil, Dindigul, Madurai, Tiruchi, Dharmapuri, Thanjavur - almost from all the places walk in groups to Velankanni.

While they go to offer their prayers, Christian missionaries like Don Bosco Salesian Co-operators use the opportunity to serve them.

The Salesians started a medical camp to provide medicines to the pilgrims coming by foot at the Child Jesus Church in Thanjavur on Wednesday.

John Martin of Thanjavur inaugurated the distribution of medicine.

Rev. Fr. James Theophilus, Rector of Don Bosco Illam, Rev. Fr. Penjamin Joseph, Principal of Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Rev. Fr. Venses Laus, Rector of Cormal House, Rev. Fr. Francis, Treasurer, Don Bosco House, participated in the function.

“We give pain killers, tablets for cold, fever, leg pain, etc., to the pilgrims. They come in large numbers and stay overnight at the church and proceed to Velankanni in the morning. Last year we distributed Rs.40,000 worth of medicine. This year also already people started walking to the church where the festival starts with flag hoisting on August 29,” Salesians said.

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