Vettucaud Palli Perunnal

About this event

Vettukadu Palli Perunnal, also known as the Feast of Christ the King, is the annual feast of the historic Madre de Deus Church at Vettukadu in Thiruvananthapuram. The coastal church is a major Christian pilgrimage centre in southern Kerala and welcomes worshippers from different communities. Kerala Tourism describes the church as having a history of more than 500 years and records the traditional belief that St. Francis Xavier visited the site between 1543 and 1547. The annual feast is celebrated in November and extends over several days, with special prayers and religious services forming the heart of the observance. The most distinctive feature is the ceremonial procession on the principal feast day, when the statue of Christ the King is carried through the surrounding streets amid prayers and hymns. The procession, together with the illumination and decorations around the church and coastal neighbourhood, gives Vettukadu a particularly lively atmosphere during the feast. The festival is known locally as Vettukadu Palli Perunnal and is also referred to as the Feast of Christ the King or Christuraja Thirunal. Kerala Tourism’s festival documentation records the participation of large numbers of devotees and describes the celebration as an important expression of faith and community life. The church comes under the Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram and continues to function as an active place of worship as well as a pilgrimage destination. The seaside setting adds another dimension to the experience, with the church located close to the coast and the Veli–Shanghumugham area. The feast is primarily a religious observance, so visitors should approach the celebrations with appropriate respect for worship and local customs. The 2026–27 Kerala Tourism Digital Event Calendar lists the Vettukadu Feast from 13 to 22 November 2026 at Madre de Deus Church. The annual programme may include special Masses, prayers and processions throughout the feast period, while the principal Christ the King procession is the central public highlight. For visitors interested in Kerala’s Christian pilgrimage traditions, Vettukadu offers an opportunity to experience a long-established coastal church feast in which religious devotion, community participation and the cultural heritage of Thiruvananthapuram come together.

🚆 Railway: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station – approximately 7 km from Madre de Deus Church, Vettukadu.

✈️ Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport – approximately 3–4 km from the church.

🚌 Bus: Vettukadu is accessible by local city buses from Thiruvananthapuram and surrounding areas; the church is near Vettukadu Junction on the Veli–Shanghumugham Road.

🏨 Stay: Hotels, guesthouses and homestays are available throughout Thiruvananthapuram, with accommodation options also available around the Vettukadu–Shanghumugham area.

✅ Notes: The 2026 Vettukadu Feast is scheduled for 13–22 November 2026. Special prayers are held during the feast, with the ceremonial procession carrying the statue of Christ the King on the principal feast day. Expect large crowds during the main celebrations and allow additional time for access to the church.