The town of Harihar is a city in Davanagere district in the Indian state of Karnataka resounded with joy as Our Lady of Health Shrine, which has been proclaimed as Minor Basilica in October by the Vatican, was dedicated at 9 a.m. in the presence of the main celebrant Most Rev. Dr. Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI).
The official programme began after the Eucharistic celebration. The programme began with the Bible reading with the creation story. It was followed by a prayer dance as an invocation to God. Shivamogga Diocese Bishop Francis Serrao welcomed Chief Guest B S Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka and and Dr Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bengaluru with bouquets of flowers.
The bishop also welcomed Dr Filipe Neri Ferrao, Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru pontiff of Sri Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga, Dr Moulana B A Ibraim Shakha, Dr Siddeshwar, MLA B Y Raghavendra, Ramappa, Dr Aloysious Paul D’Souza, Bishop emeritus of Mangaluru, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi, Dr K A William, Bishop of Mysuru, Dr Anthony Swamy, Bishop of Chikkamagluru, Dr Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga, Dr Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Karwar, Dr Gheevarghese, Bishop of Puttur and Dr Ignatius D’Souza, Bishop of Bareli.
Chief minister B S Yediyurappa unveiled the logo of the Minor Basilica of Harihar. Fr Lancy D’Souza enlightened on the Papal Bull ‘De Titulo Basilicae Minoris’ the official papal bull decree of Pope Francis signed by Robertus Card, the Prefect of Divine Worship.
Bishop Francis Serrao requested B S Yediyurappa to grant a land and accommodation to the pilgrims of Harihar.
Yediyurappa in his speech said that Our Lady of Good Health is one of the powerful statues in the India. There have been enormous pilgrims flocking towards the shrine since years. He also congratulated the Christians for the Holy See for declaring the shrine to the status of Minor Basilica. He said in the words of Mahatma Gandhiji to love all the religions and live in communal harmony. He gave a call in the words of poet Kuvempu to make our nation into a peaceful harvest. The contribution of the Christians towards Karnataka has been enormous he said and concluded his speech.
Bishop Francis Serrao honoured chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, MLAs Raghavendra and Siddeshwar for their contributions to the society.
Dr Filipe Neri Ferrao, archbishop of Goa and Daman, congratulated everyone for the historical event and dream realised in Harihar and he thanked all the Bishops. He said, “Harihar town is known for religious harmony and genuine peace. We need to boost religious harmony in the society which is very much necessary by respecting and serving one another as sons and daughters of India according to the Constitution.”
Dr Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru in his address said, “Harihar Matha is a blessing to the pilgrims of Harihar. Religion and the love of God are entirely two different ends. In order to love God and neighbour, one needs to sacrifice one’s religion and show human love is greater than any other religion.” He exclaimed the teaching of Jesus Christ to love one’s enemies is one of the finest teachings in the world where no other person has ever told. The values of compassion and kindness are very much needed in the society today. He said he was inspired by the human love of Jesus, the non-violence of Mahaveera, the equality of Basavanna and the simplicity of Buddha.”
Dr Peter Machado addressed the gathering by telling health is a blessing to each and every person. “Our Lady of Good Health is our Mother who gives us mental as well as physical health to us,” he said.
Fr Anthony Peter, parish priest of Harihar narrated his experience and miracle of the Mother Mary and highlighted the brief history of the Minor Basilica of the Lady of Good Health Harihar.
Legend has it that a Brahmin, while taking bath, accidentally fell into the swelling river Tungabhadra on whose banks Harihar in now situated.
Being on the verge of drowning, 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.
From 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, the 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. People refer it as the “Vailankanni of Karnataka”.
Today, the Harihar Shrine has been frequented by the people irrespective of caste, language and religion. Thousands of pilgrims come to this Shrine during the festivities in August-September. The Annual Feast of the Shrine in on September 8, the Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary. This pilgrim centre has got the historical background date to 18 Century.
A beautiful new Church was built on August 31, 1992 dedicated to Our Lady of Health. On May 27, 2012 this Shrine was officially declared as the Diocesan Shrine of the Diocese of Shivamogga.