Rameswaram, Feb. 27 -- The annual festival of St. Anthony's Church at Katchatheevu commenced on Friday with the ceremonial hoisting of the flag, as thousands of devotees from Tamil Nadu began their journey to the island shrine.

A total of 3,996 pilgrims set off by sea to attend the festival at Katchatheevu, an islet located between India and Sri Lanka. The devotees departed from the Rameswaram port after completing mandatory checks by the police, revenue department, citizenship department, and customs authorities.

Officials oversaw the verification process to ensure smooth travel arrangements for the pilgrims heading to the church festival, which draws participants from the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu every year.

Earlier, Pongal ce...