Braving the scorching sun in some places and heavy rain in certain others, several thousand devotees on a pilgrimage to Velankanni on foot arrived at Puducherry on Saturday. Philanthropists and several others distributed food to the devotees along the roadside.
Wearing ochre-coloured dresses and holding flags of Our Lady of Health, the devotees travelled through East Coast Road. They reportedly began their pilgrimage from Chennai on August 18.
T. Joseph Sudhakar of Avadi said, “I am taking the pilgrimage to fulfil a vow and will reach Velankanni before the flag-hoisting ceremony.” D. Ashok Kumar of Avadi said that he was undertaking the pilgrimage for the eleventh year.
J. Jagadhish of Karuvadikuppam said, “The pilgrims were tired and feeding them makes us feel blessed.”