There are known to exist three tales regarding the presence of Mary in Velankanni. The first legend dates back to the period of 1570, when a young local boy was carrying milk to a house close by. On his way he came across a good-looking woman with a child who requested for some quantity of milk for her child. The boy gave her some milk after which he resumed his journey and while delivering milk, he found that the milk jug was then absolutely filled with cool and fresh milk.