More than one lakh devotees from different parts of the country today witnessed the grand car festival of the famous Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health at nearby Vailankanni.
Seven illuminated cars of different sizeswere taken around the shrine late this evening after Bishop of Thanjavur Rev. Fr M.Devadass Ambrose held special prayers.
A special aspect of thecarprocessionwas that the first 'pilot'carwas reserved exclusively for women devotees.
Thecarprocession is part of the 11-day annual festival of the shrine which draws devotees from across the country. The main event, the birthday celebration of the Our Lady of Health, will be held tomorrow.
Thousands of pilgrims have undertaken 'padayatra' (walking) to reach the town covering hundreds of kms.
The entire Vailankanni town has been richlyilluminated for the occasion.
The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival with District CollectorS Palanisamy, Superintendent of Police M Duraiand other senior officials supervising them.
Special buses were operated from different parts of the state while Railways pressed into service special trains from Mumbai, Goa and Thiruvananthapuram among other places for the benefit of the pilgrims.
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