The Basilica of Bom Jesus : Prestige of Goans

Siyaab  Sarmadi

C183254

FYBcom B

 The Basilica of Bom Jesus

24/3/19, It was early morning, the sun , the breeze everything was perfect  and I was all set to visit the famous church of Goa 'The Basilica of Bom Jesus' which is located in old Goa a place well known for its history and heritage sites.

       Distance from South Goa (curchorem)

It took us around 1 and half hour to reach old Goa and another half an hour to reach the church (the roads were really busy though)
Old Goa is a place where the history of Goa started to unfold its pages and the church being its heart is the best place to know about the beginning of Goa . Beside the busy roads of Goa the interior of old Goa is much calm with many Portuguese houses with terreiros ,small streets, trees and much more to explore....

When I reached there I was fascinated by the look and the architecture of the church and so I wanted to know more about it.When I researched more about the church's architecture I came to know that it was called Baroque style of architecture. The inside of the church is decorated with precious stones and carpeted with marble flooring. The church is at an amazing hight of about two coconut trees of Goa. But this massive,beautiful, holy and ancient church has lot more to say....

Altar

The construction of 'The Basilica of Bom Jesus' began in 1594 and holds a glorious past of the early Portuguese empire . But the main highlight of the church is the sacred tomb of St. Francis Xavier, which is located in its own chapel. This tomb has its own story to tell 

Tomb of St. Francis Xavier

The story of St. Francis Xavier is known to every Goan .St. Francis Xavier died on a board ship and his body was taken to malacca, also a portuguese colony at that era. It was later decided that that he should be brought to Goa .On the arrival of his body , more than two years later after his death, people noticed that St Francis Xavier's body hadn't decomposed . 

It was not less then a miracle to the people not only in goa but also to the outside world. The church than decided to put the Saints body on display to the public in every 10 years. A silver casket designed in the 17th century holds the remains of the saint. the church is considered as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The place gets its name from the Bom Jesus which means infant Jesus It was  really a wonderful experience to visit such a holy place which holds so many stories .

 To be honest i wanted to wait there a little longer to know more about the place but since there was no time I have to postpone my plans for next time and also take note that the visiting time is from 8 AM to 9 PM .Although there are many more churches in goa' The Basilica of Bom Jesus' should be in your top list to visit