World Bicycle Day 2025: A Sacred Ride from Karaikal to Velankanni

Vande Mataram!
Namaskar, dear readers!

Today is World Bicycle Day — a day that celebrates the simple, powerful bicycle: a symbol of sustainable living, good health, and human connection. And for me, there’s no better way to honor this day than by doing what I love — riding.

This morning, I set off from Karaikal, the ocean breeze on my face and purpose in my heart. My destination was the sacred town of Velankanni, with plans to reach Nagapattinam by nightfall. These aren’t just names on a map — they are places full of history, faith, and humanity.

🌟 Velankanni: Where Miracles Ride the Wind 

As I pedaled into Velankanni, something shifted inside me. The air felt different — heavier with devotion, lighter with hope.

Velankanni, resting on Tamil Nadu’s Coromandel Coast, is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health — a place known as the Lourdes of the East. Pilgrims from all faiths travel here, drawn by stories of healing and divine grace.

This sacred town is built on miracles:

• A shepherd boy who saw a vision of Mother Mary with the infant Jesus.
  
• A buttermilk vendor who regained the ability to walk after an encounter with the divine.
  
• Portuguese sailors in the 1600s, saved from a deadly storm after praying to Mary — they later built the first church here in gratitude.
  

Today, the basilica stands tall — not just as a monument of faith, but as a living symbol of interfaith unity, peace, and resilience.

I stopped, I prayed, I breathed in the incense and the sound of quiet devotion. It was humbling.

🙏 Nightfall in Nagapattinam – A Heart Full of Thanks

After soaking in the spirit of Velankanni, I continued to Nagapattinam, where the Rotary Club welcomed me with warmth and generosity. Their kindness reminded me that behind every ride, every destination, there are people who make the journey meaningful.

I’m filled with gratitude.

🚴‍♂ What the Bicycle Taught Me Today

As I wind down for the night, one truth stands out more than ever:

A bicycle isn’t just a machine — it’s a message.
A message of simplicity, strength, and sustainability.
A reminder that to move forward, we don’t always need fuel — just heart, courage, and two wheels.

Thank you to everyone riding beside me in spirit — through messages, smiles, shares, and silent prayers. You keep my journey alive.

Happy World Bicycle Day 2025!
Let’s keep pedaling for the planet, for peace, and for each other. 🌱