Nossa Senhora De Belem

Sherryl Cardozo   
C183205.      Fybcom B

History 

As with a lot of churches in Goa,  this one too was built upon a demolished Hindu temple called seven mothers Temple when built originally in 17th century, it was called our lady of Remedies. However, after it was reconstructed following a collapse in the mid 20th century, it was renamed to its current title. The church of Nossa Senhora de Belem is located at the main intersection of the town and just across the Branza house building. It relatively simple exterior faced with two towers, that make it look like a fort, hides the detailed ornate work on the inside. 
The annual feast of the church of our lady of Bethlehem is celebrated along with the feast of Three kings day, also known as Epiphany, signifies the revelation of God,  on 6th January. On this day three chosen people, crowned and dressed as king come riding on horses  to Chandore's parish church to distribute gift. 

About my journey 

 At Guirdolim we waited at the railway crossing for the train to roar past before continuing on our way to the village square dominated by the Nossa Senhora de belem church as it rises over the country side in Chandore. Once know as Chandrapura, the ancient capital of Goa during the reign of the Kadambas in 11 th century A. D.
Most known the church as Chandore church and most know chandor for the Menezes Braganza mansion that takes up a sizeable length of the church square opposite Luis Antao's house beside a government primary school.
In an open patch of land across the road from the Menezes Braganza mansion a whitewash church cross stands alone on the roadside aligned with the church entrance, opposite in the shade of plants a gate opens into the Menezes Braganza mansion.
Dating back to the 17 th century A D the Nossa Senhora de belem church, together with the Menezes Braganza mansion stands as a prominent signpost of the Portuguese era in Goa. The Portuguese were second to none in demolishing Hindu temple and building churches over them.
Chandor lies on the banks of the river Kushavati and is made up of the three hamlets of cotta Cavorim and Guirdolim. The  city of margao lies 15 kilometers away.
As we made our way past the railway crossing at Guirdolim. The sun started across the road lighting up brightly. Colored tavernas and shops, general stores was yet to open. It was still early in the morning for the folks in the village and to start with mass at Chandore church.

The Sunday mass was underway when we reached the church square. Cars, two wheelers and bicycles lay parked outside the church  stood across the road from the church we stepped inside an inn and ordered for pav bhaji. The inn was empty. I excepted it to fill up to capacity once the church dispersed for the day. Until then we had a lady for company. Shortly afterwards the Sunday mass concluded and parishioners came out of the church, and the quiet road now becamed crowded. Some stepped into shops for provisions to carry home. 

We also stepped out from the inn along the way we greeted the residents and finally reached our destination.