Pics: Stanly Bantwal
Media Release
Harihara (Davanagere), Sep 9: The annual feast of Harihara Matha, Minor Basilica which is known as ‘Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary’ celebrated at Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Health, Harihara in a grand manner. Lacs of people from all corners of Karnataka as well as outside Karnataka witnessed Annual Jatra Mahotsav of Harihara Matha Basilica.
History has it from time immemorial that according to the tradition a non-Christian devotee, while taking a bath, accidentally fell into the swelling river Tungabhadra on whose banks Harihar is now situated. Being on the verge of drawing and in great fear of death, he saw the floating statue of Our Lady of Health and caught hold of it, and that eventually saved his life. Thereafter on reaching home, his wife and children, on touching the statue of Our Lady of Health, were miraculously and providentially healed of their diseases – tuberculosis and paralysis respectively.
Then onwards he dedicated himself completely to the service of Our Lady and his house to the glory of the Mother. Soon after his death, he was laid to rest in a place where his house existed. Later on, that same house was converted into a church, which is situated on the banks of the River Tungabhadra. This Shrine has been frequented by the people of Karnataka, irrespective of caste, language and religion. No doubt, it can surely be called the ‘Vailankanni of Karnataka’. Then in 1833, Fr Bigot is reported to have built a prayer hall in Harihar.
During the annual feast, the original statue of the Mother Mary is installed in a place adjacent to the Church. People form a queue spreading around 2 to 3 kilometres waiting patiently for their turn to have a darshan of the mother, holding coconut, candles, flowers and offerings with an intention to keep them at the foot of the mother .
Harihara is a town situated in Davanagere district of Karnataka. Erstwhile Mysuru kings, followed by the British. Harihara though belonging to Mysuru state was part of Chitradurga division. Later on in 1875 AD, the British government brought together a few adjacent villages under Harihara and formed it a taluk centre with the establishment of a taluk office.
A new church dedicated to Our Lady of Health was built on August 31, 1992 by Fr Jesu Rakshaka Nadhan and inaugurated by Dr Ignatius Pinto, then bishop of diocese of Shimoga.
On May 27, 2012 during the time of Fr Stany D'Souza with efforts of then Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, the shrine was officially declared as a diocesan shrine of the diocese of Shimoga.
During the time of Fr Anthony Peter and with the efforts of present Bishop Dr Francis Serrao SJ, the Vatican has raised the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Harihara to the status of a Minor Basilica on September 18, 2019.
This is the third shrine in Karnataka to have received the status of Minor Basilica after St Mary's Minor Basilica in the Archdiocese of Bangalore and St Lawrence Minor Basilica in the diocese of Udupi. The official celebration of this milestone was held on January 15, 2020, with Holy Eucharist celebrated by CCBI president Cardinal Philip Neri, archbishop of archdiocese of Goa and Daman together with bishops of Karnataka.
The theme for the feast of Our Lady of Health this year 2013 was ‘The life if Mother Mary - A source of inspiration for Women’. The festal celebration commenced with the flag hoisting on August 30 by Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of diocese of Shimoga and S S Mallikarjun, minister of mine & geology and horticulture, government of Karnataka.
The novenas were held from August 30 to September 7 along with the recitation of the rosary in procession, Novena prayers, floral homage and celebration of Holy Eucharist with preaching on a given theme by the main celebrant and the healing adoration with benediction.
On September 7, the concelebrated High Mass was in Kannada by Dr Robert Miranda, bishop of diocese of Gulbarga together with Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of diocese of Shimoga and clergy. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayer service for the sick by Fr Franklin D'Souza, Fr Roman Pinto and Br T K George. The prayer service was continued on September 8 as well.
The feast of Nativity of Our Lady of health was celebrated on September 8. The feast day began with the celebration of Holy Mass in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam (Syro Malabar Rite) by Dr Joseph Arumachadath, bishop of diocese of Bhadravati, Masses in Tamil, English, and festal Mass in Kannada by Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of diocese of Shimoga. Mass in Konkani and healing adoration by Yesusparsha Team, Mass in Kannada, and solemn procession and one more Mass in Kannada were also held.
The chariot decorated with Chrysanthemum was blessed by Fr George K A, rector and parish priest was taken in procession in the prominent streets of Harihara town. As the procession moved people belonging to the other religions stood on either side to have a darshan of the mother and receive blessings. The roads were cleaned and decorated with rangoli.
Thousands of devotees received the special graces and blessings showered on them and their families through the devotion of Mother Mary.
Lacs of devotees of Mother Mary flocked together with all their petitions and thanksgiving for the favours they received.
Fr Duming Dias was the convener of the feast. Fr Roman Pinto and Fr Pius D'Souza were the emcees, Fr Venil D'Silva and Fr Lawrence D'Souza were in-charge of the liturgy. Fr Regi SDB led the choir.
Fr George K A, rector of Our Lady of Health Basilica, thanked all those who helped in making thus feast a success.
On September 9-10, the celebration of Holy Eucharist will be in Kannada at 8 am, 11 am, 3 pm and 6 pm for the intentions of the people living in the vicinity.