Kerala tourism Guide

Vallarpadam Church was built by the Portuguese missionaries who visited India. The main deity of the church is Mother Mary, who is fondly known as Vallarpadathamma by the locals. The picture brought by Vasco da Gama was once lost in the floods, but was retrieved by the then Prime Minister of the Maharajah of Cochin from the backwaters. The pilgrims are still grateful to him, and a sanctuary lamp which was donated by him burns continuously to this day.

The church that we see today is a structure that was rebuilt after the old one was destroyed by disastrous storm, and was built in land provided by the Prime Minister who saved the picture. The church of Holy Spirit is popularly known as the Basilica of Our Lady Ransom. The fishermen bring their new boats to the church to be blessed by the Holy Mother for their safety. Every year, the church receives a lot of pilgrims on the 24th of September, which is when the annual feast is conducted.