Large number of devotees throng Annai Velankanni Church for annual festival

The annual festival at Annai Velankanni Church in Besant Nagar began with a flag-hoisting ceremony on Saturday, which was witnessed by thousands of devotees.The flag-hoisting ceremony and Eucharistic chariot procession began at 4.30 p.m. from the church and proceeded through 6th Avenue Beach Road, 3rd Main Road, 2nd Avenue, and 7th Avenue before returning to the church.Many devotees undertook pilgrimage to the church from various parts of the city. Despite diversions announced by the Greater Chennai Traffic Police, traffic congestion was reported in Shastri Nagar, Indira Nagar, Adyar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Kotturpuram, and other arterial roads in the vicinity.The Traffic Police have also appealed to the public to avoid travelling to Elliot’s Beach and surrounding roads unless necessary on August 29, September 7 and 8, as the area is expected to witness heavy crowds and traffic congestion.A Eucharistic procession will be held at 7.30 p.m. on August 31. The main chariot procession will be held at 7.30 p.m. on September 7. It will begin from the church and pass through 6th Avenue Beach Road, 4th Main Road, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue and 7th Avenue before returning to the church.The festival will conclude with the flag-lowering ceremony on September 8. Published - August 29, 2026 07:07 pm IST