Vallarpadam Church - The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom

The Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, popularly known as Vallarpadam church , is an ancient church built in 1524. This is one of the most important christian pilgrim centres in south India. The building was destroyed in the flood and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1676.

Vallarapdam church was originally built in in 1524. The building was destroyed in the flood and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1676. Today, this basilica church is one of the most important christian pilgrim centres in south India.

The church is dedicated to St. Mary, commonly known as "Vallarpadath Amma". The word "Amma" stands for "Mother" in Malayalam.

The main festival of the church is celebrated from September 16 to 24 every year. During festival thousands of devotees visit this church and pray for the blessings of St. Mary. Even during non-festival season, hundreds of people visit the church and pray.

How to Reach

Vallarpadam church is located at 1km from the container road. If you have a car or private vehicle, you can reach there quickly from Ernakulam. It's a 5 minute drive from the high court junction in Ernakulam.

The bridges from Ernakulam connects Vallarpadam to other island places like Ernakulam, Bolghatty, Mulavukadu and Vypin.

If you are planning to come by bus, then board a bus from Ernakulam to Vypin. You can get down in front of the church. There is a 5 minute walk through the church road from the bus stop to reach the entrance of the church.

Airport: The nearest airport is Kochi International Airport. From the airport, you may need to hire a taxi since there are not many buses from airport. If you are on a tight budget and like to save some bucks, then you may wait for a bus from airport to Aluva or Ernakulam.

Bus: From Aluva, there are frequent buses to Ernakulam Highcourt junction and from there you can board a bus to Vypin. If you are coming from Thrissur, some of the buses go to Vyttile Bus Terminal and some other buses go to Ernakulam Town bus stand. Talk to the bus conductor and ask where to get down to go to Marine Drive/High court junction. That's where you will get the buses to Vypin which goes via Vallarpadam.

By car: If you are coming by private car from Thrissur/Aluva/Perumbavoor side, then you need to take a diversion at Kalamassery through the "container road". At Bolghatty junction near Ernakulam, turn right towards Vypin for Vallarpadam church.

Activities

There are ample parking area and place to relax. In addition to praying inside the church, you can climb the steps to the top of the church to enjoy the beauty of the backwaters around the church. If you can't climb the steps, then you can pay a small fee and use the elevator to the top of the church.

The famous Bolgatty Palace is just 2km away from Vallarpadam church.

Timings & Season

September 16 to 24 is the main festival (Feast of Vallarpadathamma) in the church. Thousands of devotees visit the church and pray to Vallarpadath Amma during the festival season. If you don't like the crowd or have kids and like to avoid the busy days, then skip these days and any other days are fine to visit the church.