| About: |
| Church Of Our Lady Of Ransom is located at Vallarpadam, Ernakulam Dsitrict, Kerala.A major pilgrim centre for Christians, Church of Our Lady of Ransom is one of the oldest European Churches in India built by the Portuguese Missionaries. The church dedicated to the Holy Mary of Vallarpadam popularly known as ‘Vallarapadath Amma’. Vallarpadom, which forms part of Kochi, is a small idyllic island on the Vembanad lake, with a serene and calm atmosphere. The serenity and peace, which is a salient feature of this island, can only be attributed to the presence of the historic church of Our Lady of Ransom. This church forms part of the diocese of Verapoly and revered by Catholics as a very sacred church.the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI) raised the Church of Our Lady of Ransom at Vallarpadam Island to the status of a National Pilgrim Centre. The Perunal or the feast day celebrations will be organized at the church on September 24th this year, which will commence with a procession to the church from both sides of the Goshree Islands.This picture of Our Lady of Ransom traces its origin back to the early 16th century.Many miracles have been attributed to the Lady of Ransom and most are of people being saved from accidents at sea. As per tradition the church was earlier known as the church of the Holy Spirit. The original building was destroyed by floods in the 17th century and rebuilt later. The present building is said to have built in 1676 and the picture of Our Lady was floating in the river. Many tried to recover the picture, but vain.One of the three Basilicas in Kochi, the Church is under the diocese of Verapoly (Varappuzha). The church earlier accessible only by boat is now linked to the mainland Ernakulam, and the islands of Bolghatty, Mulavukad and Vypin by three adjacent bridges called the Goshree bridges. Vallarpadam island, about 3.9 km in length and 1.5 km in width is located between the islands of Mulavukad and Vypin, and to the east of Bolghatty island. |
| Location info: |
| Address: Vallarpadam island, Ernakulam(kochi), Kerala, India. |
| Church: Ernakulam Church. |
| Nearest City: Kothamangalam,Thodupuzha,Vypin, Kottayam and Ernakulam(kochi) . |
| Best time to visit: September |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The climate is tropical and Temperature is between 31.3oC and 25.8oC |
| History: |
| The historic Church of Our Lady of Ransom at Vallarpadom Island in Kochi, was established by the Portuguese missionaries in 1524. The Old Church, then known as the Church of Holy Spirit, is supposed to have been destroyed in a flood in the late 17th century and a new church was built on the same spot in 1676. It was declared a special church by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and in 1951 the Union Government declared it a major pilgrim centre. |
| Interesting things to do: |
| Watch the Bolghatty Palce, Vypin island and Vembed lake which is the major nearest attraction here. |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
Historical Museum :Important scenes of Kerala history are portrayed through through Sculptures. Greeting the visitor outside is a statue of Parasurama ,the mythological safe who is said to have created Kerala.Bastion Bunglow :Built in the Indo-European style way back in 1667 AD, Bastion Bungalow get its name from its location on the site of the Stromberg Bastion of the old, Dutch fort.Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach offers a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms.Children’s Park :A high-tech children’s Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here.Marine Drive :Marine Drive is considered to be one of the most beautiful part of Kochy city. The marine walk is the main hangout for the local populace as the view of the backwaters and the harbour from here is excellent.Ernakulam Backwaters:Ernakulam at kochi is More popular as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake.Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest and the Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Gritish have all left their mark here.natural harbours in the world. |
| Mobile range info: |
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| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Ernakulam railway station |
| Nearest Airport:Kochi International Airport. |
| Road Transport:Long distance buses come to Kerala Road Transport Corporation’s(KSRTC)station near Ernakulam South railway station.Private bus Station is near to Ernakulam North railway station at Kaloor.City bus service station is also located here. Autorickshaws are planetiful and reliable means to hopshop and to explore the city. |
| Nearest Visiting places: |
| Hill Palace Museum, ThripunithuraThis is now the largest archaeological museum in Kerala and is the official residence of the Kochi royal family. The complex is a reflection of traditional architectural style of Kerala. Full-fledged ethno-archaeological articles and artifacts belonging to the Kochi royal family are all a luxury that the visitors to the place get to relish. In addition there are numerous species of flora including rare medicinal plants around the area.Kodanad:It is one of the largest elephant training centres of South India. The beautiful river Periyar flows in the north of this place. The elephants are mainly trained for Safari. There is also a small zoo here.Madhavan Nayar Foundation:It is situated about 8 km from Ernakulam town at Edapally. It has life size figures revealing the historic episodes and events from the Neolithic to the neoteric era. The art gallery has 200 original paintings and sculptures, which are the works of the contemporary Indian artists. The light and sound shows with English and Malayalam commentaries attract a number of visitors.Malayatoor:Malayatoor is famous for the Catholic Church built on the 609 m high Malayatoor hill. This hill is dedicated to St. Thomas. Thousands of devotees visit this shrine to participate in the annual festival of Malayatoor Perunnal, in the month of March. St. Thomas is believed to have prayed at this shrine.Chendamangalam:Chendamangalam is a rare geographical combination of three rivers, seven inlets, hillocks and vast expanses of green plains. The Paliam Palace, abode of the Paliath Achans, hereditary Prime Ministers to the erstwhile Maharajas of Kochi, represents the architectural splendour of Kerala.Mangalavanam-” The green lung of Kochi city”The ecologically sensitive Magalavanam is safely tucked away behind the Ernakulam High Court. This evergreen forest land in the heart of Kochi is a green oasis for many migratory birds as a nesting ground. Visitors to Mangalavanam are captivated by the sheer variety of migratory birds that have nested atop the huge trees.Cochin Carnival:Cochin Carnival, December 2 to the New year day, attracts a number of domestic and international tourists each year.Pierce Leslie Bungalow:Founded in 1862, this graceful colonial abode, a blend of Portuguese, Dutch and native building style, was the office of the coffee merchants, the Pierce Leslie and Company.Santa Cruz Basillica Church:This is Built by the Portuguese, this church was elevated in its rank to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, and later was declared as a Basilica in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.Old Harbour House:Fishner Net, Cochin TravelThis elegant old bungalow built in 1808 is in the possession of Carrit Moran & Co., renowned tea brokers, who now use it as their residence. The house was once a boat club.Vasco House:Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, this is one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Kochi.Chottanikkara Temple:Numerous stories attest to the early history of this 10th century temple, where tormented devotees found solace in the diety, Bhagavathi. Today it remains one of the most popular pilgrim sites in Kerala, devotees still floak here seeking liberation from torment.Parikshith Thampuran Museum:This museum houses a collection of coins, bronzes, copies of murals and megalithic relics of Kerala.Vamanamoorthy Temple:Inscriptions from the 10th to the 13th century are found in this temple in Thrikakkara, near Ernakulam.Santhanagopala-Krishnaswamy Temple:The original foundation of this temple was laid in 947 AD according to the inscriptions found here.Dutch Palace:Originally built by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century, the Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace is located at Mattancherry. It was presented to the Kochi Maharaja in 1555 AD and later taken over by the Dutch who carried out repairs.Children’s Park :A high-tech children’s Park with Non-Conventional Energy Museum and Musical Fountain. The Children enjoy a lot with the facilities available here.Madhavan Nayar Foundation:It is situated about 8 km from Ernakulam town at Edapally. It has life size figures revealing the historic episodes and events from the Neolithic to the neoteric era. The art gallery has 200 original paintings and sculptures, which are the works of the contemporary Indian artists. The light and sound shows with English and Malayalam commentaries attract a number of visitors.Jewish Synagogue:The Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1568 is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth Countries. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662, but was rebuilt by Dutch.Maniyanthram hills:Maniyanthram hills 22 km from Muvattupuzha near to Vazhakulam, We can really enjoy the beautiful series of gentle hills, valleys and green slopes from the top station of Maniyanthram hill!Puzhakkara Kavu temple:The Puzhakkara Kavu, one of the most important temples dedicated to Bhagawati, is situated on the banks of the Muvattupuzha.Bhoothathankettu dam:Bhoothathankettu dam is a scenic dam site and tourist spot situated in the village of Pindimana, about 10 km away from the town of Kothamangalam, Thattekad and 50 kms away from the main city of Ernakulam. It is a popular picnic sport with Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary near by. A myth connected with the origin of this place says that this natural fortification of forests and hills was built by Bhoothams (spirit/ghosts) overnight.Thattekad Bird Sanctuary:Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is about 13kms from Kothamangalam and about 71kms from Kochi Airport. Without guide or special permissions it’s a dead end.The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala.Paittingattilkadavu:Paittingattilkadavu a very nice place to have bath and sight seeing. River-side Park with rare Butterflies Near Latha Theatre.boating through river.Check Dam at Rakkad:Check Dam at Rakkad six Kilometres from Muvattupuzha town. It is a very beautiful place with a waterfall across Muvattupuzha river. You can see Sreekrishna swami Temple near the river.The check dam situated in rackad,rackad is a beautiful villege.Nice to watch. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Petrol Pump
NH 47A, Palarivattom
Ernakulam, Kerala.Supplyco Petrol Bunk
Near Iac, D H Road
Ernakulam, Kerala 680016
Tel: 0484 2362852BP Petrol Pump
NH 47A, Ernakulam
Kerala.Supplyco Petrol Bunk
Near Iac, D H Road
Ernakulam, Kerala 680016
0484 2362852.Reliance Auto LPG Station
Seaport Airport Road
Kakkanad, Ernakulam
Kerala.Petrol Pump
NH 49, Puthencruz
Kerala. |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Hotel Le Meridian Cochin
Hotel Le Meridian, Maradu
Kochi, Kerala, India.Hotel Taj Residency
Marine Drive, Ernakulam
Kerala, India.Hotel The Trident
C-46-452 (11), Bristow Road
Wellingdon Island, Kerala, India.The Renaissance Hotel
P.B.No-2310, Palarivattam
Kochi, Kerala, India.Bharat Hotel(BTH)
D.H.Road, Ernakulam
Cochin, Kerala 682016
Tel:0484 2353501 – 0484 3295090 – 0484 2370502.Old Court Yard
Princess St, Fort Kochi, Cochin, Kerala 682001
Tel:0484 2215035.Serena Spa Koder House
Tower Rd, Kunnumupuram
Cochin, Kerala 682001
Tel:0484 2218485.Grand Hotel
M.g. Road, Ernakulam Central
Kochi, Kerala 682011
Tel: 0484 2382061. |
| Things to carry: |
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| Tips & Suggestions: |
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| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:ET North Police Station
Ernakulam, Kerala.Police Station Edappally
Ernakulam, Kerala.Hill palace police station
Ernakulam, Kerala.Tripunithura Police Station
Tripunithura, Ernakulam,Kerala. |
Nearest Hospital:Nairs Hospital
Nairs Hospital, N H Bypass
Ernakulam, Kerala 682304
0484 2302666 – 0484 2304480Specialists hospital
K C M Mather Road
Ernakulam, Kerala
0484 2395952Janatha Hospital
Market Road, Alwaye Aluva
Ernakulam, Kerala 680101
0484 2624931Ernakulam Medical Centre
Nh Palarivattom, Palarivattom
Ernakulam, Kerala 680025
0484 2807102Samaritan Hospital
Pazhanganad, Kizhakkambalam
Ernakulam, Kerala 680562
0484 2680511Kandamkulathy Ayurveda Hospital
Near Ymca, Chittoor Road,
Ernakulam, Kerala 680035
0484 2384399Dr Arwari`s Nam Hospital
8/352, Thirumalai Devesom East Sannidhi Road
Mattancherry, Ernakulam
Kerala 680002
Tel: 0484 2228892.Kerala Vaidyasala (I) Pvt Ltd
Swami Chinmayananda Road
Opposite Pizza Hut, Jos Junction
Ernakulam, Kerala 680016
Tel: 0484 2608410. |
Society/Community Phone NumberShrine of Our Lady of Ransom
Vallarpadam
Kerala, Kochi – 682031
Phone : 0484-2363952. |
