The Anthony Church festival began in March 15th in 2019. The church festival runs for two-three days.
For the first time in recent years, local traditional and country boat fishermen have been granted permission to sail in their ‘vallams’ (country boats) for the festival.
About
Anthony’s Shrine is a unique place of worship as it shares the maritime borders of two countries, India and Sri Lanka, and is a declared holy place by Sri Lanka.
No one is required to possess an Indian passport or Sri Lankan visa for visiting Katchatheevu.
Antony’s Catholic Shrine holds 100+ year old traditions.
It was dedicated in 1905 to Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of fishermen.
It was built by an Indian Catholic (Tamilian) called Srinivasa Padaiyachi.
Katchatheevu is a controversial uninhabited 285-acre (1.15 km) island situated on the Sri Lankan side of the maritime boundary.
This island was with India till 1974 when it was ceded to Sri Lanka by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.