Vallarpadam Perunnal - Feast of Vallarpadathamma

Held from Dates are not Confirmed

Vallarpadam Perunnal is an annual fair and a feast held in the memory of St. Mary, mother of Lord Jesus.  It is observed for a week and is one of the prominent Christian festivals in India. ‘Vallarpadam’ is the name of the place in Kochi, Kerala and Perunnal means ‘Feast’, so its literal meaning is ‘Feast of Vallarpadam’. But it is more than just another feast, it is a popular, religious and sacred celebration held in Kerala. And more than the location, it is the feast held in memory of St. Mary which is of greater significance. In her honour, St. Mary Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom (Vallarpadam-Ernakulam) had been built during 1676. The patron of the Church is affectionately called Vallarpadath Amma (mother of Vallarpadam) in local language by the devotees here. She is the patron saint of sailors, fishermen and those who do business on sea or through sea. She is believed to possess miraculous powers which protect her devotees from dangers of the sea. The Catholic Church is located on a small island near Ernakulam, on a small idyllic island on the Vembanad Lake amidst the picturesque backwaters surrounding the Kochi harbour.

History

Originally built by the Portuguese missionaries in the year 1524, it is said that the missionaries discovered a painting of the Lady of Ransom, and later in a dream, they were asked to establish a church in Vallarpadam, which they dutifully did. Then it was known as the Church of the Holy Spirit.

In 1676, the old Church was destroyed by the heavy flood and the picture of Our Lady was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the Prime Minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it. The present day Church was rebuilt in 1676 on the land donated by Paliyath Raman Valiyachan. He also gave the church a sanctuary lamp that is supposed to have been perpetually lit for over 300 years. This lamp is still burning since then as a mark of remembrance for the large hearted man.

But, an incident on May 1752 in Vallarpadam, made it more sacred than ever before. A young Nair lady, Meenakshiyamma belonging to a noble family called Palliyilveedu, was travelling to Mattancherry in a non-mechanised boat, along with his son. There arose a storm and the boat capsized. Meenakshiyamma and her son went deep down into the backwater. Seeing the danger Meenakshiyamma promised Vallarpadathamma that if they were rescued by her they would be her Adimas (servants) until their death.

Her prayer didn’t go in vain and on the third day, after the boat had capsized, a parish priest received heavenly instructions to rescue Meenakshiyamma. Acting upon the instructions, the priest asked the fishermen to cast net in the river, and Meenakshiyamma and her son were rescued. From that day onwards, people, especially those who travel by boats and ships, come to Vallarpadam and pray for their safe journey.

Meenakshiyamma and her son received baptism and became Christians and were renamed Mary and Jesudas respectively. They started living in the Church yard itself adoring the Lord and thanking St. Mary and proclaiming the good news to all those who came here. Her family still worships the Lady and lives near to the church.

Due to its spiritual importance, His Holiness Pope Leo XIII elevated its main altar to the special status of Altare Privilegiatum in Perpetuum Concessum in 1888.

The Vallarpadam church was declared as a pilgrim centre in 1951.

The church was given the status of a Basilica in December 2003.

Traditions, Activities and Events

• Sailors and fishermen pay their obeisance to Vallarpadathamma and seek further blessings for her protection from all dangers of sea and other sorts of adversities by visiting the church and offering their services

• The local fishermen bring their new boats to be blessed by the Lady of Ransom before they are taken out to sea for the first time

• Whenever devotee’s prayers are fulfilled, they dedicate their lives to the Lady of Ransom, and sweep the church compound to convey their spirit of dedication

• The altar of the church is filled with offerings of devotees who had been blessed by the Lady of Ransom

• Exhibition organised on this day offer country boats, crafts and straw mats as the main items for sale

• The fair draws thousands of visitors from all over India and is a highly prestigious event worthy of attendance

Alternate Names - Feast of Vallarpadathamma, Feast of Vallarpadath Amma, Vallarpadath Amma Feast, Vallarpadathamma Fair, Feast of Vallarpadam

Holiday Status - It is a Restricted Holiday.