
The church built near Our Lady's pond. |
So it is a tradition in the family I married into to visit Velankanni once a year and I just returned last week. A whole lot of hindus and muslims visit the place and over time due to the conversion & intermingling of various faiths, a few customs get carried over... like the sacred yellow thread of the hindu faith, you find these tied at various places with a kerchief or a turmeric stub symbolising the need for a kid or a good spouse. People also carry coconut with a dash of red and yellow and some leaves as offertory...
Hindu devotees who visit the shrine... |
The yellow thread hanging from trees... |
And branches... |
And here she is taken on a procession (this is not the same statue sculpted by the Portuguese, but a replica) round the basicila and the faithful follow on either side praying the rosary... it was nice.
Well, that was my trip... and it was entertaining.
Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel. Author Unknown
Well, that was my trip... and it was entertaining.
Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel. Author Unknown
Comments
And how nicely you have written about this!
Joy always,
Susan
Beth, I know you love stories... you bring them to life by your talents. And the photography is really exquisite, but the first two pretty ones were taken from the net... the rest are mine.
Tina, its a small place... yet to develop, food is a problem and sometimes it can get really really crowded. But the basilica is pretty and the devotion you see on the faces of people is humbling...
Hey Haddock, thanks for dropping by.
i have been to velankanni about 4 times i guess.it is lovely place...very peaceful...cant wait to go again!!
Sameena@
www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com