Nov 119 min read

GOA Trip Plan and Places You Must Visit | Churches and Beaches | Goa Road Trip | Dolphin View Point | Travel Stories by Sandeep Singh

GOA Churches

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Goa

The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church (Portuguese: Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição) is located in Panjim, Goa, India. The Church conducts Mass every day in English, Konkani, and Portuguese.

The colonial Portuguese Baroque style church was first built in 1541 as a chapel on a hill side overlooking the city of Panjim. It was eventually replaced by a larger church in the 1600s as part of Portuguese Goa's religious expansion. This church houses the ancient bell that was removed from the Augustinian ruins of the Church of Our Lady of Grace (Portuguese: Nossa Senhora da Graça) in the once famed city of Old Goa. This bell is considered to be the second largest of its kind in Goa, surpassed only by the Golden Bell which resides in the Sé Cathedral in Old Goa.

History

A chapel was first built in Panaji in 1541, to serve the religious needs of Portuguese sailors at their first port of call in colonial Portuguese India. At that time the settlement was a small fishing village.[3] It became a Parish in 1600, and in 1609 the small chapel was replaced by the present day large church to minister to the residents and sailors. In the 18th century the stairways, in a symmetrical zigzag form, were added to the church. The second largest church bell in Goa was installed in a bell tower in 1871. It was formerly at the Augustinian Monastery on Holy Hill, and was retrieved after the monastery was damaged.

Location

The church is located in Panjim and sits atop a hill facing the square below. The city's municipal garden (Garcia da orta) lies to its southeast and can be seen from atop the hill. The site was once the location of a colonial port landing where ships sailing from Lisbon made first call, and where sailors disembarked before proceeding further inland to Ela (now Old Goa) – the capital of Goa until the 19th century. A laterite stone walkway with zigzag stairs ascend the church while lines of thin and tall palm trees form part of the scene.

Architecture

Exterior :

The exterior facade of the church, rich with Portuguese Baroque style architectural elements is painted a bright white to signify the Immaculate virgin, Mary. The tall belfry centered atop the facade houses the bell from the Augustinian Monastery. The imposing facade is distinctive with its two towers and centrally placed taller belfry. It can be seen from a great distance and is often known as the ‘crown’ of Panjim. The church is laid out in the orthodox cruciform fashion with a nave and a transept. The steps are possibly remodeled after the Nossa Senhora da Peneda Sanctuary in Penada and the Bom Jesus do Monte church in Braga, Portugal.

Interior:

The interior of the church is not extravagant, but is colorful. The main altar, which has an elegant decor, is dedicated to Mother Mary. There are two other intricately carved, gold plated and decorated altars on either side of the main altar. The one to the left is of Jesus's Crucifixion and the one to the right is of the Our Lady of the Rosary. These two altars are flanked by marble statues of St Peter and St Paul.

On festive occasions, the wooden structural elements, which form part of the vaulted ceiling above the altars, are festooned with twines of blue and white flowers, an indication of the external color scheme of the church.

There is also a chapel of St. Francis Xavier, located in the south transept to the right side of the main altar; the statues in this chapel are enclosed in a glass case.

Festival:

During the Festival of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, held every year on 8 December, the church is colourfully illuminated. A fair is also part of this festival.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

The Basilica of Bom Jesus (Portuguese: Basílica do Bom Jesus; Konkani: Borea Jezuchi Bajilika) is a Catholic basilica located in Goa, in the Konkan region of India. The iconic church is a pilgrimage centre and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The basilica is located in Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India, and holds the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier.

Bom Jesus (meaning, "Good/ Infant Jesus" in Portuguese) is the name used for the Ecce Homo in countries of the Lusosphere. This Jesuit church is India's first minor basilica, and is considered to be one of the best examples of baroque architecture and Portuguese colonial architecture in India. It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World.

Pope Pius XII raised this sanctuary to the status of basilica via the Pontifical decree “Priscam Goae” on 20 March 1946. The decree was signed and notarized by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini.

History

Construction work on the church began in 1594 , but still no one was able to put a cross upon the church. The church was consecrated in May 1605 by the archbishop, Dom Fr. Aleixo de Menezes. This world heritage monument has emerged as a landmark in the history of Christianity. It contains the body of St. Francis Xavier, a very close friend of St. Ignatius Loyola with whom he founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Francis Xavier died on Sancian Island, Chuandao (川島鎮), Taishan while en route to continental China on 3 December 1552. It is also believed that the body is of Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera, a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk.

The body of Francis Xavier was first taken to Portuguese Malacca and two years later shipped back to Goa. It is said that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried.[4] The remains of the saint still attract a huge number of tourists (Christian and non-Christian alike) from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years (last held in 2014). The saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing.

The church is one of the oldest in Goa and in India. The floor is of marble inlaid with precious stones. Apart from the elaborate gilded altars, the interior of the church is simple. The main altar holds a large statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Ignatius was one of Francis Xavier's closest companions, whose words drew him to a reformed life when Ignatius asked Francis, "What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?"

The gaze of the gilded statue of Ignatius of Loyola is fixed upwards in awe at the name of Jesus (IHS) on the gilded emblem of the Jesuits, encircled in radiant rays. Over the emblem, is the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Spirit - the ultimate muse and focus of the pious Christian. The altar table which is used in Holy mass is gilded and adorned with the figures of Christ and his apostles at the Last Supper, along with the words "Hi Mhoji Kudd", which in Konkani means "This is my Body", from the Institution Narrative.

The church also holds paintings of scenes taken from the life of St. Francis Xavier. The mausoleum, on the top of which is placed the silver casket with the body of St. Francis Xavier (1696), was the gift of Cosimo III de' Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

The mausoleum was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini. It took ten years to complete. The casket containing his body is made of silver. The holy relics of the saint are displayed every ten years during the anniversary of the saint's death. His liturgical feast is 3 December.

On the upper level, overlooking the tomb is the Bom Jesus Basilica Art Gallery, containing the works of the Goan surrealist painter, Dom Martin. Author and fellow Jesuit Anthony De Mello was also from Goa and mentions the basilica in his writings.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is more than 408 years old and is open to the public every day. The body of St. Francis Xavier is in a well-decorated casket, which can be seen in the photographs below. Solemn exhibitions of the 'body' are held every ten years. Murals taken inside the church are provide insights about the artwork of that time.

Dona Paula

History:

Dona Paula is a neighborhood and tourist destination in the city of Panaji, Goa, India. It is today home to the National Institute of Oceanography and the International Centre Goa.

The place is named after Dona Paula Amaral Antónia de Souto Maior, a historical figure in Portuguese India. She was related to the Portuguese Viceroy of Jaffnapatnam in Sri Lanka. She and her family arrived in Goa in 1744 and she married a hidalgo from Spain in 1756. Her father was Dom António Caetano de Menezes Souto Maior. They were an extremely affluent family, and the entire property from the present-day Cabo Raj Nivas all the way to Caranzalem belonged to the Souto Maior family. She died on 21 December 1782.

Dona Paula was a woman of charity, and is known to have helped the villagers and worked a lot for their betterment. Hence after her death, the villagers decided to rename the neighborhood as Dona Paula. Initially, the neighborhood was called Oddavell.

The Palacio do Cabo (present day Goa Raj Bhavan) is situated at a scenic spot in Dona Paula. The area is also the location of a historic British war-graves cemetery.

Dona Paula is located on the sea stretch that spans from Panjim, Miramar and Dona Paula is an area frequented by tourists. During the tourist season, Dona Paula transforms into a crowded stretch which is otherwise a calm place during monsoons.[citation needed] A large part of the Hindi movie Ek Duuje Ke Liye was shot here, popularising the place further. An action sequence from Rohit Shetty's movie Singham was shot here. The idyllic rocky tourist attraction lies at the spot where the Mandovi and the Zuari rivers meet and flow into the Arabian Sea at a distance of 1 km from this point.

One of the attractions in Dona Paula is a whitewashed statue perched on the rocks near the ferry jetty. Sculpted in 1969 by Baroness Yrse Von Leistner, there are different versions of its purpose of origin. According to Goa Tourism Board's website, it is named "Image of India" and depicts the figures of Mother India and Young India, one looking to the East and the other to the West. The Wheel of Ashoka is in the middle half, buried in stone, to represent the ancient culture, that nurtured this blend of ideas and emotions. While in the book 'Walking in Goa' published by Heta Pandit, it is said that the Baroness had actually sculpted statues of philosopher Robert Knox and his wife because she admired him.

Dolphin View Point ( Candolim or Coco Beach (depending on hotel location)

If you're visiting Goa during the peak season, a Dolphin trip in Goa is a must-do experience for every tourist! Many enjoy this relaxing journey, where you can sit in a 20-seater boat and watch wild dolphins swimming gracefully in the Arabian Sea. The most commonly spotted species are the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and finless porpoises. A single dolphin safari lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, and along the way, you'll also get to see the Millionaire’s Palace and Fort Aguada Jail.

Why Choose a Dolphin Trip in Goa?

A Dolphin spotting trip is one of the most popular activities when visiting Goa. Hearing about dolphins in the Arabian Sea is common, but seeing them up close is a unique experience. There are various locations to spot these fascinating creatures, with Fort Aguada being one of the top spots. Goa Tours Planner arranges a one-hour Dolphin spotting trip starting from the Candolim area, where you can enjoy a relaxing cruise while spotting dolphins and other landmarks.

What to Expect

The one-hour cruise offers an enjoyable time in the Arabian Sea, spotting dolphins that are known for their intelligence and playful nature. These amazing mammals will entertain you with their antics as they swim and feed in their natural habitat. Aside from dolphin spotting, the trip will take you around some of Goa’s most iconic locations, including the old Fort Aguada, its lighthouse, and the famous Millionaire’s Palace.

For just ₹349, this Dolphin trip offers great value and is a perfect way to spend a relaxing hour during your stay in Goa.

Trip Details

Departure/Return Location: Candolim or Coco Beach (depending on your hotel's location)
Departure Time: Trips available anytime between 09:00 AM and 5:00 PM
Trip Duration: 1 hour
Wear: Comfortable clothing, hat, jacket, and sunscreen (optional)

Enjoy your time exploring the natural beauty and wildlife of Goa on this Dolphin spotting trip, where the thrill of seeing dolphins in their natural habitat will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Anjuna Beach, Goa