page_title: National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam / History
caption_attribution_description: English: A panoramic view of Vallarpadam Basilica
context_page_description: The National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam-Ernakulam, is a large centre of pilgrimage, and a major Christian pilgrim centre of India. Around one million people visit the Basilica every year. It is the most important Marian Shrine in India. People from all parts of the world irrespective of caste or creed go to the church to seek the blessings of Mary, the mother of Jesus, popularly known as "Vallarpadathamma".
context_section_description: The picture of Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church, was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco Da Gama in 1524. In 1676 the old Church, which was known as the Church of the Holy Spirit, founded by the Portuguese missionaries, was destroyed by a heavy flood, and the picture was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the Prime Minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it.  The present church at Vallarpadamis built on land  donated by Paliyath Raman Valiyachan. A sanctuary lamp which he donated has been burning day and night from 1676 onwards in his honour.
  In May 1752 a miracle is believed to have taken place which made Vallarpadam a centre of pilgrimage. In Vallarpadam there was a young Nair Lady named Meenakshi Amma, who was a member of a noble family called Palliyil Veedu. Together with her son she was sailing to Mattancherry. There arose a storm and the boat capsized. Meenakshi Amma and her son went deep down into the backwater.She promised to devote the rest of her life to Mary’s service if she and her child were saved.It was a promise she kept.On the third day, as per instructions in a dream, the parish priest asked the fishermen to cast net in the river, and Meenakshi Amma and her son were rescued.After her death, the church put up the picture of Meenakshiamma and her child alongside the painting of Mary.
caption: A panoramic view of Vallarpadam Basilica
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