Annai Velankanni Church in Besant Nagar, Chennai — mass timings, address near Elliot's Beach, opening hours and how it differs from the Velankanni shrine in Tamil Nadu.
Researched by Alston Antony· Last verified 21 June 2026
The Annai Velankanni Shrine in Besant Nagar is one of Chennai’s best-loved Catholic churches, set right on the shore of Elliot’s Beach in south Chennai. Dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health (Arokia Matha), it draws large crowds of devotees, especially on weekends and feast days. It comes under the Archdiocese of Madras–Mylapore.
Is this the Velankanni shrine? (Important)
This is not the famous shrine in Velankanni town. There are two well-known shrines to Our Lady of Good Health:
Annai Velankanni Church, Besant Nagar — in Chennai, near Elliot’s Beach (this page).
Weekend (Saturday/Sunday) and feast-day Mass timings can differ and are usually busier — please confirm on the official shrine website before you visit.
Visiting
Address: 4, Annai Velankanni Road, Odaimanagar, Besant Nagar, Chennai 600090.
Open: every day, 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM. No entry fee.
Getting there: it’s beside Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, easily reached by bus, auto or taxi from across Chennai.
Independent guide — confirm current timings with the shrine. Last verified 22 June 2026.
Key Information
📍 Address
4, Annai Velankanni Road, Odaimanagar, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090
4, Annai Velankanni Road, Odaimanagar, Besant Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Besant Nagar church the same as the Velankanni shrine in Tamil Nadu?+
No. The Annai Velankanni Shrine in Besant Nagar is a church in Chennai, near Elliot's Beach, dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. The original and far larger Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is in Velankanni town, Nagapattinam district — about 350 km south of Chennai. Both honour the same Our Lady of Health (Arokia Matha).
What are the mass timings at the Besant Nagar Velankanni church?+
Holy Mass on weekdays (Monday to Friday) is at 6:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Weekend and feast-day timings can differ — confirm on the official shrine website before visiting.
Where is the Annai Velankanni church in Chennai?+
It is at 4, Annai Velankanni Road, Odaimanagar, Besant Nagar, Chennai 600090 — on the shore of Elliot's Beach (Bay of Bengal) in south Chennai.
What are the opening hours and is there an entry fee?+
The shrine is open to all every day from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and there is no entry fee.
Information verified by the velankannishrine.in team on 21 June 2026