Basilica of Bom Jesus

City: Panaji State: Goa Location: South West India Year of Construction: 1605 Type of Construction: World Heritage Type of Building: Church Other Deities: St. Francis Xavier Religion: Christianity Importance: The mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, kept in a silver casket, are enshrined here Famous For: popular and famous of all churches in Goa Best Time: September and March Opening Schedule: Sunday: 10.00 to 18.30hrs. Weekdays: 09.00 to 18.30 hrs Pooja Schedule: Sunday: 08.00 & 09.15 hrs. Weekdays: 07.00 & 08.00 hrs Accomodation: Aguada Beach Resort Accesibility: Panaji, Goa is accessible by air from all the major cities of the country. There are adequate train and bus connections from other cities. Panaji Basilica of Bom Jesus : The Basilica of Bom Jesus now comes under the World Heritage Monument. It was constructed in 1965. This Basilica is 9 km away from Panaji on the banks of Mandovi river situated in Old Goa. This church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1946, and today ranks as the most important and frequently visited church in Old Goa. It is world renowned and houses the mortal remains of Goa's patron saint, St. Francis Xavier, who died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2, 1552. . It has surfaced as a milestone in the history of Christianity. The name Bom Jesus basically means "good Jesus" or "infant Jesus". This world heritage monument built in 1695 is a fine example of Jesuit architecture and has emerged as a landmark in the history of Christianity. It is situated in Old Goa, 9kms from the Capital Panjim. It is a world renowned church which contains the body of St. Francis Xavier; a pupil of the soldier- turned - saint, Ignatius Loyola (the founder of the Order of Jesuits), who died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. The following year, while transferring Francis Xavier's remains to Goa, in accordance with his wishes, it was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon attracts huge number of devotees from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years. The saint is believed to have miraculous powers of healing, and pilgrims would come from all over the country to offer prayers.