A portuguese wonder of the world

Goa conjures up images of ruby-ish, emerald waters flirting with beige-coloured sand, lilting, cozy cafes, and electrifying parties. But it also has churches−lots of them. And in one of its prominent lanes in old Goa lies the Basilica of Bom Jesus, meaning ‘Good Jesus’ or ‘Infant Jesus’.

The Portuguese colonizers built this architectural marvel way back in the 16th century. As you enter the iron gates, you will be spellbound by the Baroque architecture, which has delicate carvings and intricate designs engraved on it. The facade is made of black granite and blends Doric, Corinthian, and composite styles beautifully. It's 183 feet long, 55 feet wide, and 61 feet tall.

This church is India's first minor basilica. It's even considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the world! Back in 1946, Pope Pius XII made it a basilica with a special decree called ‘Priscam Goae’. Small wonder, it is marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Church is also renowned for being the resting place of St. Xavier, the revered Jesuit missionary. His remains are preserved in a silver casket for members of the faith to pay their respects.

Built with love and faith

Basilica Bom Jesus stuns you with its magnificence. However, it is when you notice the details that you realize the true glory of the structure. The main altar is big, standing 54 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It is said that the tall looming pillars, carved out of basalt stone, were transported from Bassein, located 300 kilometers away. The insides of the Church are also dressed resplendently in the Mosaico-Corinthian style. It looks simple, yet makes you fall truly in love with it. The marble floor, the walls, the columns, and the ceilings seem as if they are gift-wrapped in stunning mosaics made of precious stones. As your eyes and your soul absorb the extravagance, your mind marvels at the brilliance of the artisans and the craftsmen of the time.

This immaculate church houses two chapels, a main altar, and a sacristy. As you enter into this masterpiece, you will be greeted by the opulently decorated altar of St. Anthony on one hand and the generously carved wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier on the other.

Timings

Weekdays - 09:00 AM - 06:30 PM

Sundays - 10:30 AM - 06:30 PM

Experience

A guide to 7 unforgettable adventure experiences in and around Panjim, Goa

Preserved with love for eternity

As you thread your way through the overarching halls, you will be welcomed into a chapel that is flanked by warped pillars and labyrinthine wood decor. This is where St. Francis Xavier rests in eternal peace. Take in the frescoes that narrate snippets of St. Francis Xavier's life mixed with other religious motifs. The Chapel overwhelms you with its lavish carvings and paintings that narrate the life of the Saint. His remains lie on a high pedestal in a well-chiselled silver casket that’s adorned with precious stones. Every 10 years, the remains are lowered down for an exposition. A breathtaking silver statue is kept on guard at the front of the casket. Spend a minute or two reading about the important moments of his life that are etched on the panel on each side.

Standing against all odds

When art enamours you, you search for the artist. The Professed House of the Jesuits has been credited with the construction of this epic monument. The campus of Bom Jesus, serene in the shadows of trees, also houses a double-level laterite building that is enveloped with lime plaster and was constructed in the year 1585–which makes it older than the Basilica. Legend has it that the building was made even though it was strongly opposed by the Jesuits.

There’s an old wives' tale that shrouds the construction of the church. It is believed that the Jesuits were strictly prohibited from erecting a church by the Senate, the Santa Cassa da Misericordia, and the Franciscans. But in the quiet of the night, two fathers and one brother transformed a small house into a temporary church, and on its door inscribed the word ‘JESUS’. At the crack of dawn, as the Church gates opened, the neighbours were welcomed in for a mass with a personal invitation. The success of the mission stands before us today as Bom Jesus Basilica. At the end of your visit, you will be enticed to look back at the edifice and simply marvel at human ambition and incredible will to make a monument that welcomes generations.

Experiences beyond the Basilica

The quaint neighbourhood is sprinkled with churches and museums. You can stroll over to the Se Cathedral or the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Let the love for faith, history, and architecture linger around a while longer. You can even turn the page and step back in time by spending some time at the Archaeological Museum, or even appreciating the unique Christian Art of Goa.