The
term 'Bom Jesus' (meaning 'Good or Holy Jesus') is the name used for the Ecce Homo in the Portuguese colonies, The construction work
on the basilica was started in the year 1594 and it took 1several years to
complete the monument. Father Alexia de Menezes
consecrated the Church in May 1605 which is in the Old Goa - Velha Goa area. It was the erstwhile
capital of the Portuguese establishment in the early days of their rule in India.
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| Goa location map. .mappery.com |
The
Basilica of Bom Jesus was given the status of a Minor Basilica in the
year 1946 and it is the first Minor Basilica of India. The basilica,
a declared UNESCO World Heritage Monument, is
one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in the country and it represents the heritage of early Christianity in India. This famous church is being visited by lots of tourists, particularly westerners, as Goa is a world famous tropical paradise on the west coast of India.
The
Basilica of Bom Jesus is approximately 183 ft in length, 55 ft in
breath and 61 ft in height. Its main altar rises to a height of 54 ft
and is 30 ft wide. It has pristine white marble flooring and nicely gilded altars decorated with frescoes and inlay work. The imposing façade has the letters ‘HIS’ displayed on the top, which are the first three letters of Jesus in Greek. The beautiful ornate pillars with minute details and other embellishments were meticulously made from basaltic rocks (Volcanic rocks available in the Deccan area). It is one among the churches in this region with inspiring and imposing façade.
The
main feature is the basilica contains the mortal remains of St.
Francis Xavier; a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) founded by
Ignatius Loyola. The casket, in which the body of St. Francis is
kept, is made of pure silver. The casket was the gift of the last of the Medicis, Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
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St Francis is considered the patron saint of Goa and the Apostle of the Indies.
It is said the saint's body is still as fresh as the day it was buried. Every ten Every ten years, the body of Francis Xavier's is displayed at the basilica,
on his death anniversary, for public viewing. The last display was
held in the year 2004.
The big Basilica, a famous heritage site need periodic repairs and restoration as centuries have gone by since its inception. The exterior walls need special attention as they are exposed to changing weather, particularly during the SW monsoon season - June to end of August. It brings in copious rains.
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