Annai Vailankanni in Nagapattinam

VAILANKANNI where the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health gloriously stands, is situated on the East Coast 10 kms to the south of Nagapattinam which is 350 kms to the South of Chennai the Capital of TamilNadu, India.
The history behind the global fame of Our Lady of Good Health, is founded on three events that took place intermittently since the 16th Century at Vailankanni. The foremost incident is the Apparition of Our Lady, Mother of Jesus, which occurred during the pleasant daybreak on a sunny day in the 16th century, when a shepherd boy, carrying milk was on his way as was his daily practice, from Vailankanni to his master at Nagapattinam. Despite the morning freshness, fatigue overcame the little dutiful boy as he was passing by a water pond at the Anna pillai street at Vailankanni. Placing the milk-pot near the banyan tree by the water pond, the boy fell into an unusual slumber, only to be startled to his feet by the sweet vision of a most graceful Lady of exquisite beauty, holding in her hand a most charming child of divine appearance. Both wore celestial halos around their heads. As the boy was still in a world of surprise, shock and happiness the Lady asked of him some milk for her child. Filled with reverence and awe, the boy offered milk. The heavenly smile of the Child and Mother was the only message. The impatient master did not believe the narration of the boy. But to the greater astonishment of all present, the milk began to surge over the pot and flow out. On reaching the place of apparition, the gentleman and others began to believe in the heavenly Lady. This place began to be called, "Our Lady's Tank". Around the end of the 16th century, there lived at Vailankanni a poor widow with her son who was lame by birth. Every day the lame boy used to sit under a banyan tree at a place called 'Nadu Thittu' (central mound) and sell butter-milk to the thirsty wayfarers. On a certain day, to his bewilderment, a very bright light appeared in front of him and from amidst the light, a Lady of peerless grace with a divine Child in her arms, asked the boy for a cup of butter-milk. Then She directed him to go and inform a catholic gentleman at Nagapattinam to put up a Chapel in her name on the spot of her apparition. The boy realised that his lame legs have become normal upon the word from the Lady. With great joy, he buoyantly ran to Nagapattinam to carry out the errand. Having been already directed in vision by Our Lady, the Catholic gentleman, with the support of the people, built a Chapel at 'Nadu Thittu' where now stands the present Shrine Basilica. The Lady was called, 'Our Lady of Good Health'.

In the 17th century, a Portuguese merchant vessel, sailing from Macao in China to Colombo in Ceylon was caught in a tempest in the Bay of Bengal.The helpless sailors besought Mary the Star of the Sea to save them.
They vowed to build a Church in her name, wherever they could land on. The stormy sea became calm. Their ship landed near the shore of Vailankanni on the 8th September, the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. They transformed the thatched Chapel erected by the catholic gentleman of Nagapattinam into a beautiful stone-built Chapel. On their next visit, they decorated the Altar with porcelain plates, illustrating biblical themes. These plates giving testimony to their thanksgiving to Our Lady, are seen even today around the throne of the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Good Health, over the main altar of the Shrine Basilica. From that time the Feast of Our Lady of Good Health is celebrated every year preceded by hoisting of the flag on 29th August. During these eleven days of the Feast, about 15 to 20 lakhs of people visit the Shrine Basilica.

Historical Data of Vailankanni Shrine

The history of Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni, dawned in the 16th century

In September 1771, Vailankanni which had been a substation of Nagapattinam Parish, was raised to the status of a Parish.

The majestic Shrine facing the East, was renovated twice in 1920 and 1933.

His Holiness Pope John the XXIII, raised the Shrine to the status of 'Basilica' on the 3rd November 1962. The apparitions of Our Lady, the Miraculous statue of Our Lady, the countless miracles, the magnificent architecture and beauty of the Shrine, were the motives for this Shrine to become a Basilica.

The storeyed extension Basilica was blessed and opened in 1975.

In 1985,the little Chapel at Our Lady's Tank, was built a new and blessed.

Kanchipuram Temple in Tamilnadu

Kanchipuram Temple

Kancipuram or Kanchi, located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage centres in India, renowned for ancient temples. It is around 80 kms from the capital city of Chennai and is home to a number of temples built by different dynasties. The temples of Kanchipuram are significant for their Dravidian style and here one can see the evolution of South Indian style of temple architecture.

History and Legend This ancient city is believed to have been established in the 4th century A.D. by the rulers of Pallava kingdom. This town flourished during the reign of different rulers of this kingdom during 4th and 9th century. This was one of the major cultural and learning centres under the Pallavas. Also several rulers of dynasties like Cholas and Vijaya Nagar, who were great patrons of art, architecture and learning, contributed in the cultural development of this place.

Kanchipuram Temple Architecture Most of the temples of the city were built during the rule of different south Indian dynasties like the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Chalukyas and the Vijayanagar. The city is home to around 126 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. All the temples represent the south Indian style of temple architecture. The prime architectural features of temples include shikharas, gopurams, pillared halls, lingams and various sculptures. Shikharas are the prominent roofs that surmount the inner sanctum of the temples and gopurams are the beautifully carved gateways.Some of the important temples of Kanchipuram are given below :

Ekambaranatha Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the oldest temples in Kanchipuram. The temple is notable for its architecture with a 57-meter-tall gopuram and the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam or the hall with thousand pillars. The inner walls of the temples are decorated with an array of 1008 Shiva Lingams.

Kailashnath Temple The Kailashnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by the Pallava king Rayasimha in the late 7th century AD. The temple also houses several shrines dedicated to different God and Goddesses. Also one can see some remains of beautiful murals symbolizing its original beauty.

Kamakshi Aman Temple This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati in the form of Kamakshi or the goddess of Love. The main shrine in the inner sanctum of this temple can be reached by passing through a large hall (mandapam) with decorated pillars.

Ekambaranatha Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the oldest temples in Kanchipuram. The temple is notable for its architecture with a 57-meter-tall gopuram and the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam or the hall with thousand pillars. The inner walls of the temples are decorated with an array of 1008 Shiva Lingams.

Kailashnath Temple The Kailashnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by the Pallava king Rayasimha in the late 7th century AD. The temple also houses several shrines dedicated to different God and Goddesses. Also one can see some remains of beautiful murals symbolizing its original beauty.

Kamakshi Aman Temple This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati in the form of Kamakshi or the goddess of Love. The main shrine in the inner sanctum of this temple can be reached by passing through a large hall (mandapam) with decorated pillars.

History Of Mamallpuram

Tamilnadu is best known for the hospitality shown towards, by every individual. This tendency of the people has made people visiting Tamilnadu more comfortable and secured. The people are sentimental and lone to be kind and generous. There are many qualities to speak about this state and its people. Tamilnadu has its own history right from the past. Tamil is one of the ancient languages. Tamil is also the source for the others neighboring Dravidian languages such as Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Thulu.

Tamilnadu which has in the southern past of India, which is the last of all states in the topography of India, has many beautiful places to watch. There are many beautiful sceneries, ancient monuments, historic temples for their unique sculptures, the culture and tradition of the natives and so on. There are lots of other things to be spoken as well. One such place to be watched, toward and enjoyed is mahabalipuram. This is a magnificent tourist place. Welcome to mahabalipuram, a legacy in stone.

Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch which a well established sea port was during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. This was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. Formerly, mahabalipuram was known and called as Mahabalipuram. The former name of this place ‘Mahabalipuram’ has a history. A very rude cruel king Mahabali reined this place and in a fierce battle king Mahabali was killed by Lord Vishnu and the place was named after the dead, arrogant kind Mahabali.

It was during the reign of King Narasimha Varman I, the name Mahabalipuram was changed. It was renamed mahabalipuram which is called till now. There is a story behind. The name Mamallpuram king Narasimha Varman I was a great and valiant warrior. He was given the title Mamalla which means ‘the great wrestler’ so the name was converted from Mahabalipuram to mahabalipuram considering the great king and his achievements.

After the decline of the Gupta Dynasty, the pallavas rose to the pioneer in south India. They ruled over from the 3rd century till the end of the 9th century A.D. The best period of their rule was between 650 and 750 AD and this period was called the Golden Age of the pallavas. The pallavas were very powerful. They were profound thinkers.

It was during the rule of the pallavas, great poets, dramatists, artists, artisans, scholars and saints emerged. As one can say that the pallavas are the pioneers and forerunners of new styles both in art and architecture and mahabalipuram is the best place to praise off their skill and talent. New sculptures and unique paintings were innovative and exuberant. This place mahabalipuram itself became their exploring field and they made the best use of the resources. They game a shape and creative energy to what they imagined. It became a dream come true as it witnessed innovations in all styles.

The richness in mahabalipuram was not known to many, as these pallavas did not outlet and expose their quality and innovative creations to the outer world for obvious reasons. The aestheticism in mahabalipuram was hidden until the late 185h century. What is special about mahabalipuram? Of course every one can point out the rock - cut caves, temples made from a single rock, temples and strives of different structures, and bas-reliefs which are so artistic and sheer creativity. Mamallpuram is referred as an ‘open-air museum’. The great pallava kings Narasimha I and Rajasimha have well preserved these stylistic qualities that one enjoys in mahabalipuram even in the present day.

The beauty of the place is not only due to these architecture but the vast casuarinas trees, the silvery sandy beach the classical hand male crafts around have made them all to form what is a collective splendor. Any visitor who visits mahabalipuram will remain startled and intoxicated with the grandeur. They feel hand hearted and more out from this historical and fascinating tourist spot.