Churches of Goa
CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW
This famous church of Goa Velha was originally built in 1583 but was abandoned for fear of its collapse. The present church, named after the Patron St. Andrew, the Apostle, was built in 1868 in a different place at the same village. The most remarkable feature of this church is the Procession of All Saints, the only such procession besides Rome, when 31 statues of the saints are taken in a procession on the 5th Monday of Lent around the whole village covering some 2-km distance. In the beginning, the number of statues was 65. The statues were taken from the Monastery of the Capuchos at Pilar in 1835 after the extinction of this religious order.
CHURCH OF ST. CAJETAN
Built in the style of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in c.1655 AD near the Viceroy's Arch at Old Goa, it is well maintained and a splendid example of Christian architecture. It was built by Italian friars of the Order of Theatines who were sent by the Pope Urban III. Now known as the Church of the Divine Providence. A pastoral college for newly ordained priests is adjacent to it.
THE TOWER OF THE CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINE
Built in 1602, the only ruin of the Church of St. Augustine on the Holy Hill at Old Goa near the Nunnery, is a lofty 46-metre high tower defying the torrential rains. The tower is one of the four of St. Augustine Church that once stood there. The Church when intact was perhaps the biggest in Goa. With the religious suppression in 1835, the Augustinians deserted the church and the convent. The neglect resulted in the collapse of the vault on September 8, 1842. The façade and half of the tower fell in 1931 and some more parts of it collapsed in 1938.
CONVENT AND NUNNERY OF SANTA MONICA
Opposite to the Church and Convent of St. John of God, on the right fork of the road, lies the Convent of Santa Monica. In the Holy Hill, on the way to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
The construction started in 1606 was completed in 1627, but destroyed in a fire in 1636 and re-built in 1637. Also referred to as Royal Monastery, the church in the monastery is dedicated to St. Mary. The building now houses the Mater dei Institute for nuns, which was inaugurated in 1964.Built like a fortress, it is significant for its massive walls and buttresses. It is the only nunnery in Goa. It is a huge three-storeyed building of laterite which was originally lime-plastered but is now plastered with cement. It is square on plan with a large inner courtyard, around which is a cloistered verandah and numerous cells and halls. The vaulted ceilings in some of the halls are tastefully painted with floral decorations and scenes from the Holy bible.
OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
It is one of the oldest buildings in Panaji. Founded before 1541 and rebuilt in 1619, it is the focal point of the city's religious feasts.
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
Built in 1544-49 at Old Goa in Manueline style, it is the oldest remaining church in Goa. This was built in fulfilment of a vow taken by Afonso de Albuquerque during fight with the Bijapur forces. It bears an inscription about the conquest of Goa by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1510.
SE CATHEDRAL
It is the most imposing of all churches at Old Goa. Its vaulted interior overwhelms the visitors by sheer grandeur. Architecturally, Portuguese-Gothic in style, the exterior of the building is Tuscan and the interior Corinthian. This Cathedral has five bells of which one is the famous Golden bell, the sound of which is immortalised in a Portuguese poem, the biggest in Goa and one of the best in the world. The church is dedicated to St. Catherine. The construction of this church began in 1562, the main body was completed in 1619 and the altars in 1652. The Portuguese Government built it for the Dominicans.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH & BASILICA OF "BOM JESUS"
Behind the gate of St. Paul's college is a Kuchcha road branching off the main road, leading to the chapel of St. Francis Xavier. It is built of laterite plastered with lime mortar, with tiled roof supported by wooden rafters is a plain chapel with only one altar.
Architecturally, it is of the Doric order. The Chapel was within the enclosure of the College of St. Paul and was dedicated either to St. Anthony or to St. Jerome. As the chapel was used by St. Francis Xavier, it was re-dedicated to him after his canonization in 1622.
The original chapel was in existence in 1545. With the outbreak of the epidemic and the consequent abandoning of the college of St. Paul in 1570, the chapel fell into ruins and the present chapel was built in 1884.
The Chapel
On the southern side in the transept is a chapel with gilded twisted columns and floral decorations of wood, where the sacred relics of the body of St. Francis Xavier are kept. The interior of this chapel is richly adorned with wooden carvings and paintings, depicting the scenes from the life of the Saint.
The Church Of Bom Jesus
The Church of Bom Jesus is also of laterite; its exterior, excepting the façade, was lime plastered, which was subsequently removed. The roof was originally tiled. The church is cruciform on plan. The flying buttresses on the northern side of the church are recent additions. A single-storeyed structure adjoining the church on its southern wing connects it with the professed house. The three-storeyed façade facing west, shows Ionic, Doric and Corinthian Orders, and a main entrance flanked by two smaller ones, each having Corinthian columns supporting a pediment. Within the church are two chapels, a main altar and a sacristy besides a choir at the entrance. A belfry is at the back.
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Goan temples are unique and stand apart from other Indian temples in their distinct architecture, location, spaciousness, and environment. Almost each and every village has one temple to serve the religious and spiritual aspirations of the Hindu devotees. Both old temples with a rich heritage of centuries and new ones attract hundreds of devotees from all over Goa and other parts of India. The Archaeological Survey of India is actively engaged in excavation, renovation and also relocation where necessary of ancient heritage temples. The following were the most famous temples of Goa for your knowledge of the magnificent diversity of Hindu religion in Goa.
SHRI ANANT DEVASTHAN -- SAVOI-VEREM
This unique temple is situated at Savoi-Verem village in Ponda taluka. The deity carved in black stone is Lord Vishnu (the God of Preservation) who is in his Anantashayya (a sleeping position where the Lord rests on the multi-headed snake king Seshnaga, whose heads shelter the head of the Lord like an umbrella). Established in 1923 A.D., this temple is the only one containing this posture of the Lord in Goa. The sprawling temple complex consisting of temples of Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush, and pillars with intricate wooden carvings and plated with silver are worth seeing.
SHRI BHAGAWATI TEMPLE - PARSHEM
Situated at a distance of 7 kms. from Pernem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, the main temple being of Shri Bhagvati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari and Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapathi, Shri Shankar). Devi Bhagvati temple has two Deepstambhas unique of its kind. Main festivals are Dussehra and annual Zatra.
SHRI BODGESHWAR TEMPLE - MAPUSA
Surrounded by greenery, it is a small shrine dedicated to Kanakeshwar Baba or Bodgeshwar, locally known as Bongini. The god is regarded as agngavani i.e. to whom vows are made and who fulfills desires of the devotees. On the fulfillment of desires, people offer presents to the God as promised by them earlier. A very big fair is held in the month of December/January when thousands of devotees flock to this temple.
SHRI BRAHMA TEMPLE - VALPOI
7 kms. from Valpoi, in the village of Brahma Carambolim, this shrine belongs to the 5th century A. D. It is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma found in India.
SHRI CHANDRANATH TEMPLE - PARODA
45 kms from Panaji, it is situated on the top of 350 metres high hill of Chandranath at Paroda, Quepem. Chandreshwar was the titular deity of the Bhoja kings who ruled South Goa till the middle of 8th century. They had named their capital Chandrapur after the deity. Shivalinga is carved out from the rock, which oozes whenever rays of full moon fall on it. The temple is so designed that the Linga receives moonlight on every full moon. The temple commands a panoramic view and its surroundings are enchanting. The temple's ancient chariot is well known for its wood carvings.
SHRI DAMODAR TEMPLE - ZAMBAULIM
22 kms. from Margao at Zambaulim, this temple is situated in picturesque surroundings on the banks of the river Kushavati, popularly known as Panti. Near the temple, the river is regarded particularly holy and is said to have medicinal properties. Hindus and Christians alike worship the deity. A week long celebration of Shigmo is packed with programmes, which include a colourful fair, exchange of gulal, collective meals and presentation of shows on popular legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margao.
SHRI DATTA MANDIR - DATTAWADI
Situated at a distance of 37 kms from Panaji at Dattawadi, Sanquelim, and 40 kms. from Margao, this century old temple of trimurty (Hindu) has a backdrop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms. The most important festival, which is attended by devotees from all over Goa, is Datta Jayanti that falls in the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. The entire interior consists of white marble.
SHRI DEVKI KRISHNA-RAVALNATH TEMPLE - MARCELA
17 km from Panaji at Marcela, Ponda, this temple is popularly known as Pisso Ravalnath. During the days of religious persecution the deity was shifted from Chorao, Tiswadi to Mayem in Bicholim and from there to the present place. The Black-stone idol of Devki (mother of Lord Krishna) in standing posture and a child Krishna is unique in Goa. The most important festival is "Malni Paurnima" in the month of Pausa (January).
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