Chennai, July 26 -- The 443rd annual festival of 'Our Lady of Snows' commenced in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi with the ceremonial flag hoisting on Saturday.

This was followed by the coronation of Mother Mary at the basilica at noon.

The 11-day celebration will conclude on August 5 with a grand procession of the deity in a car.

Earlier, in April, a grand Holy Thursday celebration was held at the world-renowned Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, located in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu.

As part of the Holy Week observances, the special ritual of foot washing, commemorating Jesus Christ's Last Supper with His disciples, took place in the church premises on Thursday.

The Holy Thursday event, also known as Periya Vi...