Indian pilgrims leave for Sri Lankan island to attend church festival

Reuters: Around hundred Indian pilgrims from the southern city of Rameswaram left for Katchatheevu islet in Sri Lanka yesterday to attend the consecration ceremony of St. Antony’s Church.

The Christian pilgrims, including fishermen and priests, were led by Father Sagayaraj of the Rameswaram Church. They left for Katchatheevu - ceded to Sri Lanka by India in the 1970s - in three boats to take part in the ceremony.

“A group of people are all set to attend the annual festival at St. Anthony’s Church in Katchatheevu. We have registered nearly 100 persons. Our boats are ready to leave,” said Sagayaraj.

The consecration ceremony of St. Antony’s Church is expected to start later in the day. The ceremony, which was to be held on 07 December, was postponed following the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalaithaa Jayaraman.

The Roman Catholic church attracts pilgrims from India and Sri Lanka every year at the end of March for a week-long festival.