Panaji's Magnificent Church

share this story

other stories in section

Majestic, elegant and tall, it presides over the capital of Goa lending its magnificent view to every on-looker and passer-by. And on December the eighth it gets even better and almost hypnotic with its heavy illumination. This structure is none other than the church of the Immaculate Conception of Panaji.

The church is our city’s pride and its history goes back to the sixteenth century. It features in the sixteenth century records of the communidade of Ilhas (Tiswadi). Every part of this beautiful church is ridden with history. Initially it was just a chapel on a hillock where according to the city lore stood an Adilshahi watchtower. During the pre-Portuguese times a temple dedicated to Shri Ravalnath stood in its place. Originally built in the year 1541 the church underwent several modifications to attain its present status. In the year 1619 the church was rebuilt. The zigzag motif flight of stairways was added much later in the year 1870. The church has the second biggest bell in Goa and was placed there in December 1874.

The church feast celebrated on the eighth of December has always been a big event in the history of Panaji. Beautiful displays of fireworks lighting up the night is enjoyed by every Panjimite and is a huge attraction for children. One cannot miss the ‘festache hone’ or traditional brown skinned yellow grams and the ever-famous ‘khaje’ also a traditional sweet but made of jaggery.

This heritage church of Panaji is truly an architectural wonder. Its charming façade with the beautiful red crucifix on its gable enhances the beauty and charm of the church. Close by stands the Jama Masjid and a little further is the Mahalaxmi Temple. The church bell’s hourly clanging chime, the Jama Masjid’s call for ‘Azaan’ and the echo from the Mahalaxmi Temple bell creates the perfect theme for communal harmony, peace and fraternity.

There are some interesting historic details found in the works of Father Moreno de Souza and Prof Vasco Pinho. Prof Pinho in his book Snapshots of Indo-Portuguese History Part I tell us that on September 11th, 1641, at the end of the rule of the Spanish Dynasty of the Filipes the proclamation of Dom Joao IV as king of Portugal was read out from this historic church.

The marble statue of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception standing atop a five-metre pedestal was placed there on December eighth 1954. The church has been a witness to over four and a half centuries of Panaji’s history. As the church bell tolls, Panjimites regulate their time pieces and entrust their lives to the Latin words ‘Ora pro nobis’ meaning ‘pray for us’ carved right on the frontisphce of this heritage church. Happy feast to all!