For the first time, since its inauguration forty-five years, the church at Besant Nagar — also known as Annai Vailankanni Church — will lack the splendour that characterises it during the annual 10-day feast. The Annai Vailankanni Church has been razed to the ground to facilitate the construction of a bigger structure. Francis Xavier, rector and parish priest, has assured parishioners and pilgrims that the feast would not lack the usual grandeur. According to a pamphlet issued by the church, the existing church is too small to accommodate both parishioners and pilgrims. As renovation of the structure is not possible, the decision to build a new church on the premises has been taken.

Source: The Hindu August 18, 2017 11:26 UTC