7 Best Places in Goa for a Spiritual Escape

Positioned between Sahyadri range of Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. Apart from soft sandy beaches and historical sites, Goa is dotted with many churches and temples. The magnificent and towering churches make Goa a grand pilgrimage center for Christians. The Churches& Temples in Goa are worth exploring and are must include in Goa Tour Packages.

Here is the list of top 7 pilgrimage places to visit in Goa.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Also known as St. Xavier’s Tomb, Basilica of Bom Jesus is a major heritage and pilgrimage site in Goa. Dedicated to St. Francis Xavier, the construction of the churchbegan in 1594 and completed in May 1605. Considered as the first minor Basilica in India, the church is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Churches & Convents of Goa) and is one of the must include places in Goa Holiday Packages. Built out of black granite in an exquisite combination of the Doric, Corinthian and composite styles, the Basilica of Bom Jesus enshrines the sacred remains of Goa's patron saint Francis Xavier. There are paintings of events from the life of St. Francis Xavier which are worth visiting.

Se Cathedral

Situated just opposite to Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral is one of the largest churches in Asia and also one of the top places to visit during Goa trip. Dedicated to St. Catherine, it is also known to be the oldest and the most celebrated religious buildings in Goa and has the prestige of being the seat of Archdiocese of Goa. Built in Portuguese-Gothic style, the construction of this church began in 1562 and was consecrated in 1640. It is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Churches & Convents of Goa). The major attractions of the Cathedral are the 15 altars, dedicated to Our Lady of Three Needs, Our Lady of Anguish or Our Lady of Hope. The grand alter is highly ornate and is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. It has the carvings depicting the major events of the life of St. Catherine.

Shri Mangeshi Temple

Positioned on a hillock at Mangeshi Village in North Goa, Sri Mangeshi Temple is one of the biggest and wealthiest Hindu temples in Goa. Built in 1744, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built in typical Goan Hindu temple style of architecture and has a prominent Nandi Bull. The sanctum houses a Shivalinga. The temple also has shrines of Parvati and Ganesha. The temple complex consists of a water tank, which is believed to be the oldest part of the temple and a deepastamba. This seven storey octagonal lamp tower is considered the tallest and most imposing column in Goa and it looks picturesque when illuminated at night during festivals.

Church of our Lady of Immaculate Conception

The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is one of the famous and one of the oldest churches in Goa. It was built in 1541 CE. Also known as Panjim Church, it is placed on the hillside and just high above the Idalco Palace built by Adil Shah. The interior of the church is simple. The church has a couple of altars. The main altar is dedicated to Mary Immaculate, on the left is Jesus crucified and to the right is Our Lady of the Rosary. Beautiful statues of St. Paul and St. Peter are seen beside the altars. The bell at the church is considered as the second largest church bell in Goa after the Golden Bell in Se Cathedral. This huge bell in the central belfry was brought from the ruins of the St. Augustine Church, Old Goa.

Sri Shantadurga Temple

Sri Shantadurga Temple is a famous Hindu temple situated at Kavlem village in Goa. Dedicated to Goddess Shantadurga, the temple is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Goa and also one of the must include places in Goa Holiday Packages. The current temple was constructed in 1738 CE during the reign of Maratha ruler Chattrapati Shahu of Satara on the request of Naro Ram Mantri, one of his ministers. Built in a combination of Indo-Portuguese architecture, the temple has a Pyramidal Shikara, Roman-arched windows and a flat dome encircled by balustrades. The main attraction of the temple is the magnificent deepsthamba which looks beautiful when lighted during the festive occasions.

St. Francis of Assisi Church

Situated near the Se Cathedral, St. Francis of Assisi Church is a Roman Catholic Church in Old Goa. Considered as a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Churches & Convents of Goa), it is one of the top heritage sites in Goa and also one of the prime places to visit during Goa Trip. Began as a small chapel in 1517 by the Portuguese, it was modified to a church in 1521 and consecrated in 1602. The current structure of the church was erected in 1661. The present-day church is a mixture of styles. Its exterior decoration is in the simple Tuscan order, but its interior especially the main altar is richly Baroque with Corinthian features. This west facing church has a nave with three chapels on both side, a choir on the first floor, a main altar and two other altars.

Sri Mahalasa Temple

Mahalasa Narayani Temple is a Hindu temple located at Mardol in Goa. Dedicated to Goddess Mahalasa, the temple is one of the well-known temples in Goa and also one of the popular places to visit in Goa. The current temple in Mardol was built in the 17th century. Goddess Mahalasa is identified with Mohini, the female avatar of the god Vishnu. Mahalasa has four hands, carrying a Trishul, a sword, a severed head, and a drinking bowl. She stands on a demon, and a tiger licks blood dripping from the severed head. The temple complex also has smaller temples of the goddess Shantadurga, Lakshmi Narayan, and the shrines for five attendants of Mahalasa, namely Grampurush, Bhagwati, Dadh, Simha Purush and Mhal Purush. Magh Mahotsav or Mardol Jatra is the major festival celebrated here every year in February.

He is an travel blogger by passion. He is also a travel and food lover.