This visit to the Basilica
of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO Monument,
Old Goa, Goa, was a part of the Goa Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage
sites, organised by Aatrupadai, from 5th December 2025 to 7th December 2025. Thanks
to திருச்சி பார்த்தி for organising the Heritage walk.
Churches & Convents
of Goa have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention
concerning the protection of the world's cultural and Natural Heritage on October
20, 1986. Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional universal value of
a cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all
humanity. This UNESCO monument comprises churches, which include the dilapidated Church of St. Augustine Ruins. The list of monuments is…
3. Church of Our Lady of Rosary
7. Chapel of St. Cajetan.
BASILICA
OF BOM JESUS
The
construction of the “Basilica of Bom Jesus” began in 1594, and upon completion, it was consecrated in 1605. The church is cruciform on plan. Its three-storied
façade has a main entrance flanked by two smaller entrances. The entire façade has
moulded basalt casing, and the remaining part is exposed in laterite. Inscribed
at the top of the façade, the letters "IHS" symbolise the first three
letters of Jesus in Greek.
As
one enters the choir, the altar of St. Anthony is located to the right, and a
wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier is kept to the left. On the northern wall
of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the cenotaph of Dom Jeronimo Mascarenhas, the
benefactor of this church, is placed. In the corresponding wall, there is a
profusely carved wooden pulpit with a canopy.
The
main altar is flanked by altars of Our Lady of Hope and St. Michael. The richly
gilded main altar has Bom (infant) Jesus, and a large statue of St. Ignatius Loyola
with the "IHS" medallion is placed above the Bom Jesus.
The
holy trinity of "the father, the son and the holy spirit" is depicted
at the top of the main altar. The chapel on the northern side is dedicated to the
"blessed sacrament, whereas that on the south side has sacred relics
of the body of St. Francis Xavier. The interior of this chapel is adorned with
scenes from the life of the saint. A corridor adjoining this chapel leads to the
exquisitely carved wooden door of an oblong sacristy. The sacristy has a vaulted
roof with an apse at the end. To the west of the sacristy, the cloister of the Basilica
of Bom Jesus and the professed house are located.
Superintending
Archaeologist, Goa Circle.
Ref:
Archaeological
Survey of India display board.
THE
LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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