Goa is undoubtedly a place where every site is worth capturing through the magic of your lens. Right from Goa’s surreal beaches, clubs, art galleries, resorts to its religious spots like churches and temples will win your heart away. Talking about religious spots, one such beautiful colonial-era church that attracts devotees and tourists from across the globe is the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Bom Jesus Church in Goa has also been honored with the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site for its religious and cultural significance.
The best time to visit the Bom Jesus Church is around Christmas and New Year, when the church along with the entire state is painted in red and celebrations are in the air. Goa observes pleasant weather throughout the year courtesy, its geographical location hence, you can arrive here any time of the year.
History of Basilica of Bom Jesus
Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in old Goa, which once served as the capital of the Portuguese empire in India. Besides being a holy place for the catholic Christians, the church is the finest specimen of Colonial Portuguese architecture that attracts tourists for its aesthetic and architectural excellence. The church is also popular because the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are preserved here.
Historians and documents claim that the church was built in 1594 and was consecrated in 1605. It is said that with the development of the Church Christianity flourished in India, and this church is the oldest in India. The facade of the church features letters ‘IHS’ carved on it, which is a symbolic representation of the phrase ‘Jesus, Saviour of Men’. The unplastered exteriors of the church emit the vibes of the bygone era. The interiors of the church feature walls adorned with precious stones, carved columns, gilded reredos, paintings of saints, and a marble mosaic that adds to the divine ambiance.
Major Attractions Around Basilica of Bom Jesus Church
Basilica Of Bom Jesus is among the famous churches in India. If you are traveling here, then do check out these nearby tourist places.
1. Modern Art Gallery
Bom Jesus church also has an art gallery on its premises that features 36 paintings depicting Biblical scenes created by artists belonging to that period. The paintings have been titled Genesis and The Last Judgement.
2. Professed House of Bom Jesus
This house is a two-story building that is believed to be older than the church. The building is located next to the church and is said to be built by Br. Domingos Fernandes and used to be the center of Jesuit Missions to the easter parts of the world. Professed House is another fine colonial architecture made using laterite rock protected with lime plaster.
Venue for the Sunburn festival, Candolim beach is another most visited and loved beaches in Goa. The shacks by the beach shore serve the best seafood and are shoppers' paradise for clothes, jewelry, and handmade accessories. Tourists may also indulge in adventurous water sports like skiing, parasailing, surfing, and more.
Calangute beach besides being the busiest and largest beach in Goa is also the center of all the happening activities such as beach parties, clubs, restaurants, and water sports. Located 23km away from the church Bom Jesus church, Calangute beach is also referred to as the queen of beaches.
How to Reach Bom Jesus Church in Goa
Goa is not a mere vacation destination but it also features some most significant religious sites such as churches and temples that might guide you on a spiritual path or offer you some moments of calm or enlightenment. To reach Goa, you have to cover nearly 1800km via NH 52, 590km via NH 48, 2100km via NH 16, and 562km via NH 48 from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, respectively. You can arrive here via airways, roadways, railways, and some of the best options have been listed below for your reference.
By Air
Goa’s international airport, Dabolim airport, which is 24 km away from the Basilica of Bom Jesus is the nearest. The airport manages the arrival and departure of domestic and international flights. From Dabolim airport, you can take a cab to reach the church, which will take approximately 40 minutes under normal traffic.
- Delhi. Board Vistara, SpiceJet, or AirAsia flight. The airfare starts from INR 4000
- Mumbai. Board GoAir, IndiGo, or AirIndia flight. The airfare starts from INR 3000
- Kolkata. Board IndiGo or GoAir flight. The airfare starts from INR 6000
- Bengaluru. Board IndiGo or AirAsia flight. The airfare starts from INR 3000
By Train
Madgaon railway station is the nearest to the church. Train connectivity to Goa from other states and cities is extremely good, hence you may plan a train journey to Goa from any part of the country. After deboarding the train, you can hire a taxi to cover another 35km to reach the church.
- Delhi. Board Goa Express SPL from H Nizamuddin Station and deboard at Madgaon Station
- Mumbai. Board MAO Festival SPL from C Shivaji Mah Terminus and deboard at Madgaon Station
- Pune. Board Goa Express SPL from Pune Junction and deboard at Madgaon Station
- Bengaluru. Board YPR VASCO EXP from Yesvantpur Junction and deboard at Madgaon Station
By Road
A road trip to any destination is an opportunity to spend some quality time with yourself or with your loved ones and enjoy the journey. And if the destination is Goa, then it’s worth ditching the air and train journey! You may drive to Goa in your car or may get on a tourist bus that runs regularly from the nearby cities and states. Listed below is a compilation of distance estimates and the fastest route to take to reach Goa.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bom Jesus Church in Goa
Ques. Are there flights to Goa from many Indian cities to reach Bom Jesus Church?
Ans. Yes, there are flights to Goa from many Indian cities.
