It should not come as a surprise that if we are paying homage to any kind of holy place, it will naturally give us a very blissful experience nonetheless. And there is no exception to the current state of Kerala. These churches in India have been made very much with intricate care and craftsmanship, that they help in luring visitors not only from other parts of the country but also around the world as well. With numerous festivities, feasts and prayers, the churches in Kerala become a must visit place for all of us. Therefore, following are some of the best lists of churches in Kerala you can visit in Kerala, and thus help you procure some fantastic memories that you can share with your loved ones.
Must Visit Churches In Kerala:
1. Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi:
This important church in Kerala is very much established with all the ancient looking paintings and murals, and there is no doubt that this church is the most popular church in Kerala. It has an eye-catching edifice and is one of the 8 Basilicas in the state of Kerala.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6:00 am, 7:00 am and 6:00 pm on Monday – Saturday, 5:30 am, 6:45 am, 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 5:30 pm on Sunday
- Location: Fort Kochi, Kerala
- How to Reach: Via road or via metro
- Celebrations: Christmas, Feast of Christ the King, Feast of our lady, Queen of the holiest rosary, Feast of Our Lady of Fathima.
- Other Attractions: Place around Fort Kochi
2. Kadamattom Church, Fort Kochi:
The Kadamattom Church very much shows the Kerala kind of architecture in its structure. The Kerala church history was founded by a Monk who was from Syria, and that monk had various un-natural powers as well. The largest church in Kerala has many such legends associated with its history. Also, the surrounding beauty makes the place fantastic to visit in Kerala. The most famous church in Kerala with its beautiful grandeur along with the serenity of the church makes the area lovely to visit.
- Church Days: Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6:00 pm on Saturday, 5:30 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 8:30 am on Sunday
- Location: Fort Kochi, Kerala
- How to Reach: By using metro or road
- Celebrations: Christmas, Kadamattom Feast
- Other Attractions: Area around Fort Kochi
3. St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi:
This beautiful church in Kerala is one of the oldest European churches, that has been established in the country of India. This beautiful church shows all the colonial struggle that had been going on for many years. Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama used to rest at this most beautiful church in Kerala as well. But, after about 14 years, his mortal remaining were moved to the city of Lisbon in Portugal. The architecture is very much inspired by Portuguese architecture.
- Church Days: Monday – Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM on Monday – Saturday, 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM and 8:00 AM (not on third Sunday of the month) on Sunday
- Location: Fort Kochi, Kerala
- How to Reach: With the help of metro rail or roadways
- Celebrations: Christmas, Sunday Mass Gathering
- Other Attractions: Fort Kochi place
4. Vallarpadam Church, Ernakulam:
The beautiful church is mainly dedicated to Mother Mary, and this is one of the most popular churches in Kerala as well. This best church in Kerala will welcome anyone, from any religion and from any caste. The whole ancient churches in Kerala is truly white-washed, and two tall towers attached to the main building as well. There are many legends attached to this church’s history.
- Church Days: Monday – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6.30 am, 5.30 pm on Monday – Friday, 6.30 am, 10.30 am, 4.00 pm, 6.00 pm on Saturday and 7.00 am, 9.30 am, 4.00 pm, 5.30 pm on Sunday
- Location: Ernakulam, Kerala
- How to Reach: By the use of railways or by roadways
- Celebrations: Vallarpadath Amma
- Other Attractions: Hill Palace Museum, Mattancherry Palace
5. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Ernakulam:
The St. Thomas church was built by St. Thomas himself, and thus makes the place all the worth for visiting more and more. The architecture of the churches in Kerala pictures is almost like that of the churches in the Vatican City, and thus makes the St Thomas church Kerala all more beautiful. It was also reported that this church is one of the international pilgrimage sports as well. Therefore, worshipping here makes a whole lot of difference.
- Church Days: Monday – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6:30 am, 5:30 pm on Monday – Saturday and 6:30 am, 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on Sunday
- Location: Ernakulam, Kerala
- How to Reach: Through the help of roads or normal trains
- Celebrations: Christmas, Palayur Mahatheerthadanam, New Year, Perunnal, Onam
- Other Attractions: Chottanikkara Devi Temple
6. George’s Syro-Malabar Forane Church, Kochi:
The other name of this Orthodox Church Kerala is known as the Edapally Church as well. It is also a pilgrim center in the whole of Asia as well. Every year millions of visitors visit this place. Common beliefs include that this church has healing powers. The church is huge, with a golden statue of Jesus Christ and the Cross being engraved on top of the roof of the building. It also has large, long pillars too.
- Church Days: Monday – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 6.00am, 7.00am and 6.00pm on Monday – Saturday and 5.45am, 7.00am, 8.45am, 10.15am, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm on Sunday
- Location: Kochi, Kerala
- How to Reach: By the aid of metro or roads
- Celebrations: Christmas, Edappally St George’s festival, Feast of Saint George
- Other Attractions: Fort Kochi, Cherai Beach
7. Parumala Church, Parumala:
It is no doubt that this csi church Kerala has one of the most unique architectures you can ever think of. The church is also known as the tomb of Saint Gregarious Gee Varghese. It was designed by Charles Correa, and it has a current capacity of accommodating 2000 people at any time. The church was built with mass gatherings in mind. The church is also a parish church of the other church known as Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
- Church Days: Monday – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 7 am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 am on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 8:30 am on Sunday
- Location: Parumala, Kerala
- How to Reach: Via the aid of trains and roads
- Celebrations: Christmas, Parumala Perunnal
- Other Attractions: Place around the church actions
8. Alphonsa’s Church, Bharananganam:
It was after St. Alphonsa’s colonization that this church was built. She was the not only the first saint of India but also a pious nun as well. The church has a red building, which very houses the mortal remains of the saint as well. Out there is also scenic garden in that area as well. There is also a glass portrait of the saint too.
- Church Days: Monday – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 5:30 am, 6:30 am, 8:30 am, 11:00 am, 5:00 pm on Monday – Saturday and 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:40 am, 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm on Sunday
- Location: Bharananganam, Kerala
- How to Reach: By using normal roads or Indian railways
- Celebrations: Christmas, Candlelit Rosary Procession, St. Alphonsa’s feast
- Other Attractions: Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Thazhathangady Juma Masjid
9. Arthunkal Church, Alappuzha:
The 16th century was the time when this first church in Kerala was established. Kerala first Christian church is one of the top tourists’ spots in Kerala, as well. The remaining of St. Sebastian is kept here, as it is his shrine. The statue of the saint was bought from Italy, and the architecture as well gets lot its inspiration from the culture in Italy. The first Christian church in Kerala has a large hallway, with two tall towers attached to the main hallway.
- Church Days: Monday – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Timings: 5:30 am, 7 am and 5:30 pm on Monday – Saturday, 5:30 am, 7:00 am, 10:30 am and 4:30 pm on Thursday and 5:30 am, 7 am, 9 am, 11 am and 5 pm on Sunday
- Location: Alappuzha, Kerala
- How to Reach: You can use railways or roadways
- Celebrations: Christmas, Arthunkal feast
- Other Attractions: Alappuzha Beach, Vembanad, Marari Beach
10. Vimalagiri Church, Kottayam:
This is also one of the most popular satanic churches in Kerala as well. The architecture of this church is totally Gothic-styled, and thus who passes by this church, catches its brilliant structure. The church also has one of the tallest church towers in the state as well. This makes the place a most visited sacred site among the other churches in the area. In this place, Christmas is mostly celebrated, and for experiencing a place with divine nature, this is where you should be.
- Church Days: Monday – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Timings: The church can be visited at any time
- Location: Kottayam, Kerala
- How to Reach: Visting there with the help of the roads or railways is the best idea
- Celebrations: Christmas, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Other Attractions: St. Mary’s Church
Frequently Asked Question and Answers:
1. Should you visit Kerala during the monsoons?
Ans: Definitely not. Every monsoon, Kerala gets most of the rainfall from the winds that come into the land of India from the Indian Ocean. Therefore, there will be higher chances of getting trapped due to floods or heavy rainfall. Kerala is best visited during the summers, springs, or even winters, because the winters are not much harsh there. You will be able to enjoy the weather as well the tourism part as well, also visiting the Mother Teresa church in Kerala.
2. Which festival is most celebrated in the churches of Kerala?
Ans: Christmas, It is no doubt that Christmas is the best time to visit churches in Kerala because all of the churches get lit up very well, with candles and lights. There are feasts and gatherings that you can participate in. Some of the churches also celebrate New Year’s Eve as well. So, if you are planning a tour with your family, Christmas is the perfect festivity to celebrate in Kerala, in churches like the Malayatoor church in Kerala.
3. Apart from churches, what are other attractions that you can enjoy in Kerala?
Ans: There are various types of attractions that you can enjoy Kerala, apart from visiting churches like the Malayatoor church Kerala. There are beaches in Kerala as well, and there are various temples as well too. Beaches are the best places to visit in Kerala, as they look very beautiful and clean. There are also Kerala Backwaters, where you need to visit via boats. And there are tea and coffee plantations too as well, which you can explore too, as well.
It can easily be seen that traveling in Kerala is definitely very fun and very exciting. There will be lots of list of Jacobite churches in Kerala for you to explore, and when you will be bored by visiting churches, you can move over to the other places as well. It is not a surprise that Kerala is called the cradle of Christianity, and this article truly defines all of that. So, what do you feel about the article? Did you like it? Do let us know about your feedback.
