The annual feast of Our Lady of Good Health at the renowned Basilica in Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, popularly known as the “Lourdes of the East”—draws thousands of pilgrims from across India, with Goa contributing a significant share of the faithful. Held from August 29 to September 8, the ten-day celebration blends spirituality, tradition, and community in a way few other feasts do. For many Goans, the pilgrimage is a cherished journey passed down through generations, rooted in faith, healing, and gratitude.
The festival opens with the flag-hoisting ceremony, marking the beginning of days filled with devotion and unity at the Basilica. Over nine days, the grounds resonate with Novena prayers and Holy Masses, offered in multiple languages to embrace inclusivity and welcome pilgrims from diverse backgrounds.
Goan families often travel in large groups, carrying with them stories of faith, community, and hope that continue to enrich the tradition year after year. The Shrine’s reputation for miracles and healing further draws devotees, many of whom testify to finding deep spiritual and physical comfort within its walls.
The feast is marked by grand processions and evening car festivals, where men and women alike take part in carrying statues and images of Our Lady—symbols of humility, devotion, and faith.
The climax arrives on September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, with solemn masses, spectacular processions, and a vibrant atmosphere of unity and hope. Throughout the festival, the streets and church grounds echo with prayers, hymns, and cultural programs, weaving together a lively tapestry of music, devotion, and joy.
To accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims, church authorities and local organizers carefully manage safety, transport, and lodging, ensuring a welcoming environment for all.
For the Goan faithful, the Vailankanni feast is both a personal pilgrimage and a communal homecoming—a moment to renew faith, seek blessings, and share devotion with fellow pilgrims. Back home, local parishes in Goa celebrate with novenas, Mass, and the beloved Fulanchem Fest (flower offering), so that even those unable to travel can partake in the spirit of the feast.
Countless pilgrims have shared moving accounts of miraculous healings and answered prayers, cementing Vailankanni’s place as a beacon of hope and compassion. Each year, the shrine’s legacy grows stronger, carrying forward a message of faith, togetherness, and resilience.
This annual celebration remains a powerful symbol of living faith, timeless tradition, and enduring hope, especially for Goan devotees whose bond with Vailankanni continues to flourish across generations.