Beneath modern Naroa, Divar lies centuries of archaeological history

Naroa is a small village located on the easternmost tip of Divar. It claims to be a blessed village due to its location at the confluence of three branches of the Mandovi river. The Hindus referred to it as ‘tirth’ (holy water) which they believed washed away their sins after a dip in it. Naroa, […]

Nerul church, Our Lady of Remedies celebrates 450 years of existence

Nerul church

Welcome to Nerul village. A small village that is bordered by the sea on one side and the well-known village of Reis Magos on the other. Like a lot of Goa’s villages, Nerul too has a rich history. The village was once known as ‘Nellur’ before the Portuguese renamed it to ‘Nerul’. ‘Nellur’ comes from […]

The Lord’s resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday

resurrection

After fasting and abstaining for the last 40 days and nights (Sundays not included), the Lenten season draws to a close with Easter Sunday. This day is also known by such names as Paschal Sunday or Resurrection Sunday as well. Easter Sunday is the most important feast in the Catholic community. Even more important than […]

Every year, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week

Palm Sunday

The final Sunday of Lent marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is known as Palm Sunday and commemorates Christ’s arrival in Jerusalem, just days before he died on the cross. The Catholic community in Goa celebrates Easter which is a feast that is supposed to be even more important than Christmas to some. Palm […]

Santachem Pursanv – A well known traditional procession in Goa

Santachem Pursanv

Goa is a state that has a large number of devout Catholics. You see these people in the numerous villages that surround the major towns in the state. In fact, today is the day of Santachem Pursanv or the Penitential Procession of Saints. This is a unique procession that takes place every year at St. […]

Ash Wednesday – when Catholics prepare for the resurrection of Jesus

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is one of the most important days in the liturgical calendar as well as the life of every Catholic. It is the beginning of a period of fasting and abstinence for a majority of the Catholic community that lasts for 40 days, not counting the Sundays in between.  It arrives on the heels […]

Mount Mary Feast or Fulanchem Fest celebrated in Goa

Just as Farangipet in Canara, Vailankanni in Chennai and  Mount Mary’s in Bandra, Goa too celebrates Mount Mary Feast. The Feast of Our Lady of the Mount ( Monte) or Mount Mary Feast will be celebrated on 8th September the world over by people from different faiths. It is the Feast of the Nativity or […]

Which church in Goa received the ‘Golden Rose’ from the Pope?

There are many unknown facts about Goa and this is an attempt to unravel one of it. Many know churches located in Old Goa are famous world over. It serves as a tourist attraction and pilgrimage site as well. But visitors (tourists and locals) are unaware that one of these churches has received a ‘Golden […]