# Velankanni

Velankanni is a city in Tamil Nadu in India.

## Understand

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
### By plane

Nearest airport is Tiruchirappali (TRZ) that is about 165 km (103 mi) from Velankanni.

### By train

* Velankanni SR . (updated Jun 2023)

### By car

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
###### From Chennai

* 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

* 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.]

## See

* 10.6803179.849611 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. (updated Jul 2015)
* 10.6810979.843842 Morning Star Church.
* 10.6811279.853573 Velankanny Port (Velankanni Beach), Beach with many temples.. (updated Jul 2015)

## Eat

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. (updated Jul 2015)
* Chandra Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263462. (updated Jul 2015)
* Picnic Kerala Restaurant (Picnic Hotel), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263510. (updated Jul 2015)
* Seagate Family Restaurant (Seagate Hotel), Velankanni. (updated Jul 2015)
* Velankanni Restaurant (Velankanni Hotel), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263527. (updated Jul 2015)

## Drink

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

The church authorities have simple affordable rooms beginning from ₹60 to ₹300. There are also other private hotels/lodges.
* 10.681679.848111 Golden Sands Hotel (Hotel Golden Sand), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263426. (updated Jul 2015)
* Little Flower Pilgrimage Quarters, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263512. (updated Jul 2015)
* M .G. M. Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263336. (updated Jul 2015)
* 10.6826179.844262 Picnic Hotel (Hotel Picnic), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263510. (updated Jul 2015)
* 10.6801179.851773 Prakash Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263740. (updated Jul 2015)
* 10.6818879.844934 Seagate Hotel (Hotel Seagate), Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263910. (updated Jul 2015)
* 10.6816979.845625 Seagate Resorts, Velankanni, ☏ +91 9842456109. (updated Jul 2015)
* V. J. Lodge, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263861. (updated Jul 2015)
* Velankanni Hotel, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365263527. (updated Jul 2015)
* S. P. T. Lodge, Velankanni, ☏ +91 4365264071. (updated Jul 2015)

## Connect

* Area Code National, ☏ +91 4365. (updated Jul 2015)
* Area Code International, ☏ +91 4365. (updated Jul 2015)
* Transport Office, ☏ +91 4365263467. (updated Jul 2015)
* Railway Enquiry, ☏ +91 4365263516. (updated Jul 2015)
* Police Station, ☏ +91 4365263100. (updated Jul 2015)
* Arogyamatha Hospital, ☏ +91 4365264409. (updated Jul 2015)

## Nearby
### Point Calimere

Point Calimere or Kodiakkarai (கோடியக்கரை Kōṭiyakkarai).
* 10.30361179.8286111 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. (updated Jul 2015)
* 10.3179.862 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. (updated Jul 2015)