Nearly 4,000 pilgrims from India set sail for Katchatheevu for St. Antony’s Church festival
The Hindu
Nearly 4,000 pilgrims from India set sail for Katchatheevu for St. Antony’s Church festival
Nearly 4,000 pilgrims on Friday set sail for Katchatheevu islet from Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district to participate in the two-day St. Antony’s Church festival. The event which began on February 27 will conclude on February 28.
The pilgrims from various parts of Tamil Nadu and other States began their journey to the islet on boats after a thorough check by the authorities at the Rameswaram fishing jetty. The pilgrims carried essential travel items, food and water for their stay in the islet.
DRO V. Sankaranarayanan flags off the boats carrying pilgrims from Rameswaram for the two-day St. Antony’s Church festival at Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka on Friday. | Photo Credit: BALACHANDAR L
The first batch of the boats was flagged off at around 7 a.m. by Ramanathapuram District Revenue Officer V. Sankaranarayanan and other officials. The pilgrims reached the islet after a journey of about two and a half hours.
As many as 3,996 people from India had applied to participate in the festival. They set sail on 90 mechanised and 26 country boats. The pilgrims were provided with life jackets and were instructed to follow guidelines. The pilgrims had to submit their application forms along with the photocopies of necessary documents, as part of the procedure and were provided with identity cards.
Thousands of pilgrims from India and Sri Lanka gathered for the two-day festival at St Antony’s Church at Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka. | Photo Credit: BALACHANDAR L
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Nearly 4,000 pilgrims from India set sail for Katchatheevu for St. Antony’s Church festival