K R Nagar: Historical Dornahalli St Antony annual festival was celebrated with devotion and fervour in Mysuru. In the week-long festival that began on June 6, devotees belonging to different faith from across the nation participated and offered prayers. They expressed gratitude to the saint for the favours bestowed on them and made offering for fulfilling their vows.
The Dornahalli St Antony church has a history of 206 years. The celebration came to an end on June 13 with Bishop Dr Thomas Antony Vazhaphilly presiding over the mass in presence of 30 priests from around the diocese and religious houses.
For two centuries, the village in K R Nagar, Mysuru district, is known for the holy shrine of St Anthony, whose miraculous qualities has been luring devotees in large numbers. It is said that the statue of St Anthony, enshrined in Dornahalli church was discovered in the ragi field of a Hindu peasant. A small shrine was built on the field where the statue was discovered and its fame started spreading both in India and abroad. While special prayer services are held every Tuesday, the shrine’s annual festival is organised on June 13. It attracts Christians and others from across the country. Dornahalli is located about 33 km from Mysore railway station on the Araikere line and 38 km on Mysore – Hassan bus route.
