Media Release
Davanagere, Sep 9: The annual feast of Harihara Matha, Minor Basilica, also known as the ‘Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary’, was celebrated in a grand manner at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Health, Harihara. Thousands of devotees from across Karnataka and beyond gathered to witness the annual Jatra Mahotsav. Every street of Harihara town was packed with pilgrims.
According to tradition, a non-Christian devotee once accidentally fell into the swollen Tungabhadra River, which flows by Harihara. On the verge of drowning, he saw a floating statue of Our Lady of Health and clung to it, saving his life. Afterward, his wife and children, who suffered from tuberculosis and paralysis, were miraculously healed upon touching the statue. Following this, the devotee dedicated his life and home to the service of Our Lady. After his death, his house was converted into a church, which now stands by the banks of the Tungabhadra River. This shrine has since been a popular pilgrimage site for people of all castes, languages, and religions, earning it the title ‘Vailankanni of Karnataka’. In 1833, Fr Bigot is said to have built a prayer hall in Harihara.
During the annual feast, the original statue of Mother Mary is placed in an area adjacent to the church. Pilgrims form a queue stretching 2 to 3 kilometres, waiting to offer coconuts, candles, flowers, and other offerings at the feet of Mother Mary and receive her blessings.
Harihara, located in the Davanagere district, was historically part of the Mysuru state and later Chitradurga Division. In 1875, the British government formed Harihara as a taluk center by merging nearby villages.
A new church dedicated to Our Lady of Health was constructed on August 31, 1992, by Fr Jesu Rakshaka Nadhan and was inaugurated by Dr Ignatius Pinto, then bishop of the diocese of Shimoga. On May 27, 2012, during Fr Stany D'Souza's time, with the efforts of then Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, the shrine was officially declared a diocesan shrine of the diocese of Shimoga.
Fr Anthony Peter and with the efforts of the current Bishop Dr Francis Serrao SJ, the Vatican elevated the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Harihar, to the status of Minor Basilica on September 18, 2019. This became the third shrine in Karnataka to receive this honour, following St Mary's Minor Basilica in Bengaluru and St Lawrence Minor Basilica in Udupi. The official celebration of this milestone took place on January 15, 2020, with a Holy Eucharist led by CCBI president Cardinal Philip Neri, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, along with the bishops of Karnataka.
The theme for this year's feast was ‘The Most Pure Life of Mother Mary - Our Beacon of Holiness’. The festivities began with a flag hoisting on August 30, 2024, led by Bishop Francis Serrao SJ, and attended by a large number of devotees. Novenas were held from August 30 to September 7, featuring a procession, rosary recitations, novena prayers, floral tributes, and the Holy Eucharist with sermons by the main celebrant, followed by healing adoration and benediction.
On September 7, the high Mass in Kannada was celebrated by Bishop Dr Duming Dias of the diocese of Karwar, along with Bishop Francis Serrao SJ of the Diocese of Shimoga and other clergy. This was followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a prayer service for the sick, led by Fr Franklin D'Souza and Fr Roman Pinto. The prayer service continued on September 8.
The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady of Health was celebrated on September 8. The day began with Holy Eucharist in Kannada, followed by masses in Telugu, Malayalam (Syro-Malabar Rite), Tamil, English, and Konkani. The festal mass in Kannada was celebrated by Bishop Francis Serrao SJ. The day also featured a healing adoration by the Yesusparsha Team, a solemn procession, and a thanksgiving Holy Eucharist in Kannada.
In the evening, the chariot adorned with Chrysanthemums was blessed by Fr George K A, rector and parish priest, and taken in procession through the main streets of Harihara. Devotees from various faiths lined the streets to receive blessings from Mother Mary. The roads were cleaned and decorated with rangoli.
Thousands of devotees received blessings and graces through the intercession of Mother Mary. Many flocked to offer their petitions and give thanks for the favours they had received.
Fr Roshan Pinto and Fr Alvin Stanislaus were the conveners of the feast. Fr Roman Pinto and Fr Franklin D'Souza were the emcees, Fr Lawrence D'Souza oversaw the liturgy, and Fr Regi SDB led the choir. Many priests and religious sisters contributed to the success of the celebration.
Fr George K A, rector of Our Lady of Health Basilica, expressed his gratitude to all those who helped make the feast a success.
On September 9, Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in Kannada at 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM for the intentions of the local community.