(Click on any pic to enlarge)

Continuing my series on Churches of Goa, on & off the beaten track, I present to you St. Hyacinthi Church. This beautiful church is on the island of St.Jacinto (Saõ Jacinto) in Chicalim which 7 kms from Vasco and is a comparitively lesser known church in Goa.

The “island” actually has a looong road through which one can access the church. This road apparently sometimes gets submerged at high tide and also during the monsoons cutting the church off from civilisation.

Locals will swear that the name of the church is not St. Hyacinthi (despite a large blue board on the church proclaiming it to be such!) and instead call it St. Jacinto Church.

The view from this church island is simply divine. I know I got some of my favorite pics from this trip on this island.

The ‘Shrine of the Holy Cross‘ in Bambolim is also referred to as the ‘Bambolim Church‘.
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At the entrance to the Shrine is a simple unassuming white cross. This cross, also called the ‘Miraculous Cross‘ attracts pilgrims, visitors and tourists from all over Goa and the world who adorn the cross with flower garlands continously while asking for favors. This has also earned the church the nickname ‘Church of Flowers’.

The original church was built in 1616 but the present church was inaugurated in 1996 and is the work of architect, Ralino de Souza - who designed the Shrine for free. There is a beautiful tall clay image of the Risen Christ behind the altar which crafted by Verodina Ferrao.

One thing Goa is famous for, besides it’s beautiful beaches, it’s fabulous food & it’s freaky feny are the simply Divine Churches.

Here are a sample of the better know churches in Goa (click on pictures to enlarge):
(01) Basilica of Bom Jesus
(02) The Church of St. Cajetan
(03) The Church of Mae de Deus

(01) Basilica of Bom Jesus
Definetely the most famous & well known church in all of Goa - and in the world too - as it’s a World Heritage Monument. It was built in 16th century.

After the Saint Francis Xavier’s (Patron Saint of Goa and the Apostle of the Indies) death on the coast of China, his body was brought to India but his body did not decompose. Even the inner organs were intact. A miracle indeed - particularly when no embalming of the body had been done!

The body is kept in a silver casket which is open to public once in ten years. The Saint’s fingers are displayed to the public on the day of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, i.e., on 3rd of December every year while the body is put on display once in every ten years. The last pubic display of the body was in 2004.

(02) The Church of St. Cajetan
This beautiful church was modeled after the original design of St. Peter’s Church in Rome. It’s a good way to sneak a peak into the Roman church if you’re a local!

The church was build of laterite block in the second half of the 17th century by Italian Friars. The Interiors of the church is as impressive as it’s external facade - there is a central altar with 4 main sections all around.

It’s interesting to know that this church was originally called The Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence but is now known as the Church of St. Cajetan.

(03) The Church of Mae de Deus also locally known as ‘Saligao Church’
Situated 13kms from Panaji and was built in 1873, in the village of Saligao. The shrine of the miraculous statue of Mae de Deus (Mother of God) was brought from the ruins of the convent of Mae de Deus at Old Goa. This beautiful church is the finest piece of Gothic style - and is undoubtedly the best night-time lit church around!