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States » SouthPosted at: Mar 15 2025 7:36PM


TN: Indian pilgrims return after taking part in St.Antony’s church fete in Katchatheevu

Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), Mar 15 (UNI) Pilgrims from India, who had attended the annual two-day festival of ‘St.Antony’s Church’ at the Katchatheevu Islet in the Palk Bay returned to Rameswaram on Saturday evening.
Official sources said more than 8,000 pilgrims, including 3,464 from India and rest from Sri Lanka had participated in the festival that commenced on Friday evening with the ceremonial flag hoisting, followed by the ‘Thiru Jabamalai’ (Way of the Cross) ritual and special prayers performed jointly by the Christian priests from both the countries.
A grand procession was held this morning, followed by a Holy Mass, after which the pilgrims from India returned in 78 mechanised fishing boats and 22 country-boats fitted with outboard engines.
The Sri Lankan Navy escorted the Indian boats carrying Indian pilgrims up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) from where they were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Then, the pilgrims returned to Rameswaram fishing jetty under the protection of ICG personnel.
The Sri Lankan Navy had established infrastructure and other facilities, including sanitation and drinking water, temporary shelters, roads, jetties and electricity supply for the convenience of the pilgrims.
The 275-acre uninhabited Katchatheevu Islet, located 14-nautical miles away from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu was ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974 as a goodwill gesture. As per the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement, fishermen of both countries were permitted to fish near the Katchatheevu Island, dry their fishing nets and offer prayers in St.Antony’s church.
But, the Lankan government banned entry of Indians citizens to participate in Antony’s church festival and also denied permission to the Indian fishermen to fish around the Islet in the year 1982 after the outbreak of civil war.
Though the Sri Lankan government lifted the ban on Indian pilgrims to participate in the St.Antony’s Church festivities in 2010 after the end of decades-long civil war, the Indian fishermen were banned from fishing around the Islet.
UNI GSM CS
Tags: #TN: Indian pilgrims return after taking part in St.Antony’s church fete in Katchatheevu
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