Nearly 4,000 pilgrims from India travel to Katchatheevu

Ramanathapuram: Nearly 4,000 pilgrims from India embarked on a 14-nautical-mile voyage to attend the annual festival of St Antony's Shrine at Katchatheevu on Feb 27 and 28.As many as 3,996 pilgrims, including 3,033 men, 726 women, and 150 children, registered to take part in the annual festival. The pilgrims embarked on their journey on 90 mechanised and 26 country boats from Rameswaram fishing jetty on Friday morning after a thorough check by officials from the Indian Coast Guard and customs department. The pilgrims were given life jackets.The festival will commence with a flag hoisting on the evening of Feb 27, followed by Holy Mass. There will be a Way of the Cross ritual and a chariot procession of St Antony around the islet. The festival will conclude after a grand Holy Mass on Saturday, Feb 28.St Antony's shrine was constructed in 1913. The fishermen of India and Sri Lanka worship St Antony for a good catch, as well as protection from natural calamities while fishing on the high seas.