Pilgrims standing in a queue at the ticket counter of the Margao railway station to lay their hands on the tickets for the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Vailankanni.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Pilgrims heading to Our Lady of Vailankanni shrine for the annual Maddi, Novenas and Feast in the month of August burnt the midnight oil at the Margao railway station in the night just to lay their hands on train tickets to the pilgrim centre.
Around 60 pilgrims were fortunate enough to lay their hands on train tickets for the annual journey beginning from August 25 by the Mangala Express. A number of pilgrims, however, had to return home disappointed after they were informed that they would have to procure waitlisted tickets. Another batch of pilgrims were seen squatting at the Margao railway station on Wednesday evening, hoping to buy tickets when the ticket counter opened at 8 am on Thursday.
These pilgrims head to Vailankani by the Mangala Express via Kerala before boarding another train heading to Tamil Nadu.
Tiatrist and Aquem Baixo Panchayat member Inacio Dias informed that around 60 pilgrims have managed to get tickets on the Mangala Express via Kerala. “We had come to the Margao railway station on Tuesday morning hoping to get tickets when the counter opened on Wednesday morning. Around 60 passengers have managed to buy tickets. The rest had to return home disappointed,” he added.
Inacio made a fervent plea to the government to announce early the timing and departure of the Special Train heading to Vailankanni from Goa. He further said the authorities should ensure that the special train leaving from Goa on August 27 departs in the morning so that the pilgrims reach Vailankanni on August 28. “Last year, pilgrims going by the special train to Vailankanni had to face numerous problems after the train departed Goa on the evening of August 27. We urge the authorities to ensure that the special train leaves Goa on August 27 so that the train reaches Vailankanni the next day, giving sufficient time for the pilgrims to book hotels and accommodation before the Maddi scheduled on August 29,” he added.
