What are the various churches that you can visit in your tourism of Goa packages?

The Portuguese ruled Goa for 450 years till its independence in 1961. Christians are the second largest community after the Hindus in Goa. In any Goa tour packages that you choose when you visit Goa for vacation, a single day would be kept for its various churches. The churches of Goa are an important part of tourism and millions of Christian tourists visit them, especially during their special fest days, which occur once a year. These churches reflect Indo Portuguese architecture and were built in the period between 16 to 17th centuries. Some of the important churches of Goa are:

• Basilica of Bom Jesus

No Goa tour packages is complete if you have not visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus situated in old portions of Goa. The church is dedicated to Infant Jesus and was built in 1695. This is one of the most important tourist attractions and the church is an important part of tourism of Goa. In fact Christians from all over the world visit the church and is considered an important pilgrimage for them. The church became a Minor Basilica in 1946 and was the first church in India to receive this honor from Rome. In various Goa tours at least half a day is spent here by the traveler who is mesmerized by the Portuguese architecture that greets him when he enters the main church. The interiors of the church is ornate with beautiful wooding carvings and one finds rare peace in its surroundings. The Basilica of Bom Jesus also houses the mausoleum of St. Francis Xavier even today. Millions of tourists visit this church during the first week of December where its feast is celebrated.

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• Church of Mary Immaculate Conception

Many pictures of the capital city showcases the Church of Mary Immaculate design. The church takes your breath away when you visit it in the evening and is a part of many Goa tour packages where the city of Panaji is visited by its awestruck travelers. The bell in the church is said to be the second largest in the world and is a must see for an average Goan tourist. The church was built in 1541 and one of the oldest churches in Goa. The interiors of this church is simple but has example of fine craftsmanship of the period where it was built.  

• Church of St. Francis of Assisi

This church is situated 9 km away from Panaji and situated in Old Goa. The church was built in the early part of the fifteenth century and is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. When visiting the church you would be surprised that there is an educational institution inside it. One of the reasons why this church finds an important place in the many Goa tour packages is because it has elements of Hindu temple sculptures inside the interiors of the church.  The church is small but the altar is breathtaking and the dome of the church has elements of Indian painting in it.

You can also visit other churches which form an essential element of Goa tourism. These are St. Cathedral Church, Church of St Paul, and Reis Magos Church. When visiting these churches your inner spirit would be revived and you would feel peace with yourself.

 Author Bio:

This guest post was submitted by Chandralekha who loves traveling and writing on tourist attractions, popular destinations in India such as Tourism of Goa.

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