Kerala is known for its gorgeous Western Ghats, lush green valleys, hidden lakes, silver waterfalls and breathtaking backwaters, but once you’ve discovered the natural wonders of God’s own country, some of them It’s time to travel. Most famous churches of Kerala. Whether you are religious or not, you will definitely love the stunning architecture of these churches.
12 famous churches in Kerala
Churches in Kerala are counted among the best tourist attractions and hence it is a must to visit them during your trip. Here is a list of some of the best churches that are visited by large numbers of people!
1. Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi
One of the most famous churches and one of the 8 Basilicas of Kerala, Santa Cruz Basilica is a beautiful church located in Fort Kochi. Known for its magnificent Indo-European and Gothic architecture, historical paintings, murals and frescoes, the church is over 500 years old and was built during the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500 AD. The church was redesigned several times and the present structure was consecrated in 1905. if you want to go here Ancient Church in KeralaSo this should be on your itinerary.
Place: Bastian St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001
Time: Monday-Saturday: 6 am, 7 am and 6 pm and Sunday: 5:30 am, 6:45 am, 8 am, 9:30 am and 5:30 pm. Special wedding ceremonies on Saturday at 3:30 pm and Sunday at 10-11 am.
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2. St. Francis Church, Kochi
St. Francis Church, one of the top tourist attractions in Kochi, was built in 1503. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 and 14 years later, his sacred remains were transferred to Lisbon, Portugal. The wooden framed ceiling covered with tiles, white facade, frescoes and colored mirrors cast a pall of entertainment on every visitor, making it one of the most important churches in Kochi. In the middle of the lawn, there is a graveyard, built in loving memory of the people of Kerala who sacrificed their lives in the First World War.
Place: Head Post Office, St. Francis Church Road Opp., Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001
Time: Monday to Saturday: 7 AM to 6:30 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
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3. Nadamel Marth Mariam Church, Kochi
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Nadamel Marth Mariam Church is a notable tourist attraction near Kochi. Located on the outskirts, Nadamel Church was patronized by the Cochin Royal Family and is one of the important names in the list of Jacobite churches in Kerala. One of the most common traditions was that whenever there was a new heir in the royal family of Kochi, he would make an offering in the name of Sharkara Thattu Vepu in the church and personally meet all the bishops and leaders.
Place: Ettumanoor-Ernakulam Road, Thrippunithura, Kochi, Kerala 682301
Time: Sunday only; 8:30 am, 9:45 am and 10:50 am
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4. St. George’s Church, Ernakulam
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St. Gregorios of Parumala established this church in 1905 in Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is one of the popular names in the list of churches in Kochi. Theronos along with the divine girdle of Mother Mary and the holy relics of Manjanikkara Bava – temples like Main Transformation, Pulikamali, Pangarappilly and several chapels like Mar Gregorious Chapel at Ojhakode and St. John the Baptist at Memugam; This church attracts fans and devotees from all over India.
Place: Edappally, Kochi
Time: He
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5. Lourdes Forane Church, Trivandrum
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Being one of the famous churches of Thiruvananthapuram, Lourdes Forane is bestowed with utmost peace and grandeur. The interior woodwork, framed altars, arches and paintings reflect the past glory and add to the attractiveness of the church. People come here to seek blessings and spend their quality time in peace and tranquility. The beautiful building of this church will mesmerize you, and make you want to visit again!
Place: NH 47 Near Siso Mall, PMG, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695004
Time: working day; 5:45 am, 6:30 am and 5 pm. Sunday: 5:30 am, 7:15 am, 9 am, 11 am and 5 pm
6. Arthunkal Church, Alappuzha
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Located 22 kilometers north of Alappuzha, St. Andrew’s Basilica, also known as Arthunkal Church, is one of the famous tourist places to visit in Kerala. Built by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century, this church claims to be the largest shrine of St. Sebastian in the world, hence known locally as St. Sebastian’s Church. Crowned as a Basilica in 2010, this Arthunkal Church attracts many Christians and non-Christian devotees throughout the year, especially during the Arthunkal Feast, which is held in mid-January every year.
Place: Arthunkal, Cherthala South, Kerala 688530
Time: Monday-Saturday: 5:30 am, 7 am and 4 pm and Sunday: 5:30 am, 7 am, 9 am and 5 pm.
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7. Pallikunnu Church, Wayanad
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Pallikkunnu is a beautiful Latin Catholic Church built in the name of ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’. Located in the Meenangadi area of Wayanad, this church offers a mesmerizing view of the lush green surroundings and the tranquility of the place is definitely a bonus. The church was built by French priest Fr. Jeffreno in 1908 and is undisputedly considered one of the important churches of Kerala. Surprisingly, many of the church’s ceremonies and traditions resemble those of Hindu temples.
Place: Meenangadi, Wayanad
Time: Open on all days of the week from 7 am to 7 pm
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8. Vimalagiri Church, Kottayam
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Vimalgiri Church is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This church is popular as Anghattu Palli and the idol of Mother Mary is known as Vimalabika. Featuring beautiful Gothic style architecture, Vimalagiri Church is one of the famous churches in Kerala, with one of the tallest church towers (172 feet) in the entire state. This church is a must visit during your holidays in Kerala due to its magnificent architecture and historical importance.
Place: Keezhukunnu, Kottayam, Kerala 686002
Time: Open from 7 AM to 7 PM on all days of the week
9. St. Alphonsa Church, Bharananganam
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The imposing red brick building of St. Alphonsa Church is one of the beautiful Christian churches in Kerala, located at Bharananganam in Kottayam district. The church was established after the canonization of St. Alphonsa, a famous saint of India. The mortal remains of the saint were buried here in 1946 and the tomb is now considered an important pilgrimage site for people coming from different parts of Kerala. With the stained glass images of the saint placed inside the church and the beautiful garden fountain, this is definitely one of the most famous churches in Kerala. The feast of St. Alphonsa is a very famous event here, which is held in July.
Place: Bharananganam, Kottayam, Kerala – 686578
Time: Monday-Saturday: 5:30 am, 6:30, 8:30, 11 and 5 pm and Sunday: 7:30, 9, 10:50, 12 and 2:45
10. Catholic Rosary Church, Thalassery
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Because of its incredible craftsmanship, the Catholic Rosary Church is another delight of the state. The colonial architecture, stained glass, frescoes and elaborate facades are highly commendable, making it one of the must-see names in the list of churches in Kerala. The church is located near the Thalassery Fort and the beach, so it also has an uninterrupted view of the sea. It is one of the oldest churches, as it was constructed in the 16th century. The architecture of this church reflects British influence.
Place: Opposite St.Joseph HSS, Thalassery, Kerala 670101
Time: He
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11. Basilica of Our Lady of Dolors Church, Thrissur
It is considered one of the Oldest Church of Kerala And also India. The Gothic building of the church is magnificently built of white marble, with a biblical tower. The interiors are no less and the prayer room will definitely leave you in awe. This building is considered to be the tallest building in Asia. This church is devotedly visited by devotees for peace and tranquility despite being situated amidst the hustle and bustle of Thrissur.
Place: Erinjeri Angadi, Pallikkulam, Thrissur, Kerala 680001
Group time: 6.00 am, 7.30 am, 5.30 pm (Monday to Thursday and Saturday); 6.00 am, 7.30 am, 10.00 am, 5.30 pm (Friday); 6.00 am, 7.30 am, 9.30 am, 4.45 pm, 6.00 pm, 7:30 pm (Sunday)
12. Edathua Church, Alappuzha
It is said that people come to this church for mental treatment. Every year on the occasion of Christmas, this church is visited by a large number of devotees who come here to seek the blessings of St. George. Local people strongly believe that whatever prayers you pray here are answered. it is among them churches of kerala Which is famous even among non-Christians.
Place: Church Road, Edathua, Kuttanad Taluk, Kerala 689573
Time: 4:00 am to 8:00 pm
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We hope this list of famous churches in Kerala will help you see some of the most beautiful architectural pieces in the state. It is essential to plan a visit to some of these churches for your Kerala vacation, as it will not only introduce you to the local culture but will also give you a fair idea about the local structure of this Indian state.
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FAQs About Churches in Kerala
Which is the largest church in Kerala?
St. George Syro Malabar Forane Church is considered to be the largest church in Kerala. It is locally known as Edappally Church. A Catholic pilgrimage church in Edappally, Kochi is visited by about 5 million people every year.
How many religions are there in Kerala?
There are three main religions in Kerala. They are Hinduism (56%), Islam (25%) and Christianity (19%).
What is Kerala famous for shopping?
God’s own country, Kerala is also a popular shopping destination. Shopping in Kerala includes beautiful costumes, artefacts, spices, handicrafts, beverages and oils.
Is Kerala a state?
Kerala is a state located on the south-western Malabar Coast of India. It is the twenty-second largest state of India in terms of area.
When is the best time to visit Kerala?
The best time to visit Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment is June to August. The humid and cool climate is the ideal time for rejuvenation programs. In general, the peak tourist season is from September to January.
What is the famous food of Kerala?
The famous food of Kerala includes various types of sea food like prawns, mussels, fish, crabs and lobsters. The main foods are coconut, tapioca, spices and rice.
What is the main costume of Kerala?
Lungi, locally known as Kaali or Kalli Mundu, is the main attire worn by both men and women in Kerala. Most of the men in Kerala also use it as home attire or sleeping attire.
Why is Kerala so beautiful?
In Kerala you can expect gorgeous beaches, wild animals and palm trees. This state is famous for its tea plantations and the greenery spread all around will never force you to leave this place.
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