A procession, carrying the graceful statue of St. Sebastian, from the church to the beach and back, is the most important event of the feast.

Many devotees, who recovered from serious illness or closely escaped accidents, often visit this pilgrim site to offer thanks to St. Sebastian.

Devotees often express gratitude by crawling on their knees, known as Urulunercha,[2] on the road from the beach to the church, and make offerings - small metal replicas of bows and arrows.

Eight years after his death, the church was rebuilt again, this time facing the west towards the long white-sand beach on the shores of the Arabian Sea.

In 1647, the statue of St. Sebastian, struck with arrows all over his bleeding body (he was executed at the order of the Roman emperor for embracing Christian faith) sculptured in Milan, was brought and placed in the Arthunkal church.

Arthunkal St Andrews Forane Church, the first Parish of the Diocese of Alleppey has been elevated to the status of Basilica on 9 July 2010.

[4] A large open space between the St Francis Assisi Higher Secondary school and the church, is the heart of Arthunkal.