Vailankanni, a hamlet on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal, is located 350 kilometers south of Chennai and 14 km south of Nagappatinam on the Coramandal coast. Tradition recounts that Mother Mary appeared with the Infant Jesus in this small hamlet at the end of the 16th or in the early 17th century. Ever since, Vailankanni is the most important destination  and almost the synthesis of all Marian Sanctuaries for the pilgrims of the world. The Shrine (The Shrine of Virgin Mary) here is dedicated to Our Lady of Health and popularly known as 'Sacred Arogya Matha Church'. Places to visit in Velankanni are: The Shrine Basilica, comprising of three Churches, Our Lady's Tank, Church Museum, Priests' Residence, Offering Center, Stations of the Cross, Stations of the Rosary, Shrine Mega Mahal and Vailankanni Beach.