Special prayers conducted at the famous Shrine Basilica at Velankanni

Special prayers were conducted today at the famous Shrine Basilica at Velankanni in the district for normalcy to return in rain-ravaged Kerala. Rector Prabhakar Adigalar led the prayers in Malayalam.

The priest prayed for the safety of the people and fast return of normalcy in the neighboring state which has been experiencing the deadliest deluge in close to a century.

The rain fury since August 8 has claimed 194 lives. Popularly known as the "Lourdes of the East", the Shrine Basilica, dedicated to the Lady of Good Health, is an important pilgrimage center for Christians from Kerala.

A large number of pilgrims from the state throng this 16th-century church during weekends.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)