Velankanni basilica annual festival begins; where to watch livestreaming

TRICHY: The 11-day-long annual festival at Basilica of Our Lady of Health in Velankanni in Tamil Nadu began with the traditional holy flag hoisting ceremony on Saturday evening.
Devotees are prohibited from participating in the festival due to Covid-19.
The holy flag, which was taken in a procession around the basilica, was hoisted by Thanjavur bishop Rev M Devadass Ambrose. The bishop also conducted a holy mass.
The flag hoisting ceremony was livestreamed on the official website of basilica and its YouTube channel.
For the next 10 days, mass in various languages including Tamil, Konkani, Malayalam, English and Kannada will be conducted throughout the festival days in the morning hours. On September 7 evening, an illuminated chariot carrying the statue of mother Mary will be taken in a procession around the basilica.
On September 8, the holy flag will be lowered, marking the conclusion of the festival.