Nagapattinam, Aug. 30 -- The annual festival of the Velankanni Basilica began grandly on Saturday with the ceremonial hoisting of the flag, as lakhs of devotees gathered to offer prayers amid chants of 'Long live Mary' reverberating through the air.

The famous Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health at Velankanni, popularly known as the 'Lourdes of the East', celebrates the birthday of Mother Mary as its annual fest. The 10-day annual festival of the Velankanni Shrine began with the ceremonial hoisting of the flag, marking the commencement of the celebrations.

As part of the festival, representatives of the Velankanni fishermen's panchayat carried the flag bearing the image of Mother Mary in a procession from the basilica through Beach Road...