Vallarpadam Perunnal

St. Mary’s church is an extremely popular catholic church located in Ernakulam, Kerala. The patron of the church St. Mary is affectionately called Vallarpadath Amma (mother of Vallarpadam) by devotees here. As Kerala is a state full of fisher folk and sailor community and St. Mary is the patron saint for this community. It is believed that she would prevent sailors and fishermen from all dangers of sea and other sorts of adversities.

Vallarpadam Perunnal is an annual feast cum fair organized during the Perunnal (Feasting) days. The feast lasts for nearly a week. The fair draws thousands of visitors from all over India and is a highly prestigious event for the localites of the area. The exhibition includes sale of country boats, crafts and straw mats

According to history the church is supposed to have been established in 1676 by the Portuguese. The church is an exotic peace of architecture. It is built on a small island of Ernakulam in the picturesque backwaters encircling the Kochi harbour.

Time of celebration:

The event is normally organized in the month of September. In the year 2009, it will be held on 24th September .

How to reach there:

Nearest railway station: Ernakulam
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 20 km.