PANAJI
The main shrine at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu, will remain open 24 hours a day from October 3, 2026, Bishop of Thanjavur Most Rev Dr T Sagayaraj announced during the annual feast celebrations. The announcement was made as thousands of pilgrims attended multilingual Feast Masses on September 7 and 8 to celebrate the birthday of Mother Mary. The Masses were held at the open-air auditorium.
The new arrangement is expected to benefit pilgrims arriving at the shrine at odd hours from Tamil Nadu, Goa and other parts of the country. At present, devotees arriving late at night or early in the morning often have to pray from outside the Basilica. With the shrine remaining open round the clock, pilgrims will be able to enter and pray before the altar at any time.
