Police, however, intervened and arrested nine activists of the Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam with pro-LTTE leanings, who tried to block the seven buses carrying the pilgrims.
The Lankan nationals were meted out similar treatment during their pilgrimage to the Poondi Madha Christian shrine near Thanjavur yesterday.
The pilgrims, including 75 women and 36 children, had arrived at Velankanni this morning to offer worship at the Shrine Basilica, police said.
As the activists protested, police personnel on security duty for the ongoing annual festival rushed to the spot, arrested them and brought the situation under control within a few minutes, sources said.
The pilgrims later proceeded to Tiruchirappalli safely from where they are expected to leave for Sri Lanka. (MORE)
