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Information guide on tourism in India

Tour to India

Goe

» Basilica of Bom Jesus

Location : Old Goa, 10 kilometers from the city of Panjim

Highlights : World Heritage Site, Preserved body of St. Francis Xavier

How to Reach : The Bom Jesus church is a very popular tourist attraction and can be reached from Panaji or any other place nearby by hiring a taxi, auto, or even a bus.

One of the most popular churches in Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesus truly deserves to be given the status of a World Heritage Site. It is located in Old Goa which was the capital city during the Portugal rule. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous for the preserved mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. He was the member of Society of Jesus and came to India to spread Christianity with the Portuguese. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is India's first minor cathedral and is supposed to be the best example of decorative architecture in India.

The name of the Church, Bom Jesus basically means "Good Jesus" and is used for Jesus when he was an infant. The Bom Jesus church was constructed around 1695 and it became an important milestone in the historical legacy of Christianity. St. Francis Xavier was a member of the Society of Jesus who preached the enlightening teachings of Christianity when he came to India along with the Portuguese. While on a voyage to China from India, he died on the ship on 2nd December, 1552.

It is said that the following year when the body of the saint was being transferred to Goa as per his wishes, the people were shocked to find his body fresh as ever. This was claimed to be a miracle and his body was preserved in an air tight coffin made of glass and placed inside a silver casket. Every year thousands of devotees visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus on 2nd December to see the mortal remains of the saint that is displayed publicly. Now, the practice has been stopped to prevent the body from deterioration.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the richest churches located in Goa. The interiors of the church are as beautiful and extravagant as the exteriors. The floor of the church is made of pure white marble, decorated with semi-precious stones. The altar of the church is adorned elaborately and covered with gold. It measures around 54 feet high and is 30 feet broad. The church's interior is strikingly charming yet simple and is built in the Mosaic-Corinthian style. The tomb where the body is kept was carved intricately by Giovanni Battista Foggini, who was a 17th century sculptor. The walls are decorated with old paintings of the saint. A trip to Basilica of Bom Jesus is a must when you visit Goa.

» Anjuna Market

The famous Anjuna market, known more popularly as the flea market is held on every Wednesday in a grove of coconut palms between the rocky beach of Anjuna and the fallow rice paddies. The concept of flea market was started by the hippies in early 80s, when they used to gather at the same place in Anjuna while many needy foreigners used to sell their electronic items or barter other stuffs to the locals. The market is said to have originated on Valentine's Day 25 years ago by an American hippie, Eddie Mazmaniam, for raising small scale funds. So sometimes the market is also called the "hippie market".

Currently Indians and Westerners, both sell their merchandise on this market. Everything from Indian crafts, silver jewellery, wooden chess sets, wide brimmed straw hats and bags, trinkets of shells and beads to the hottest London Clubwear, is sold in this resourceful market. Tattoo-Artists and Piercers are also present to display their art. It's also full of westerners who came to Goa to drink and party and "chill out" and who somehow just never left.

If one has just arrived at Anjuna market from a peaceful Goan beach like Palolem or Benaulim, one would find the commotion nerve-wracking. It is a mad, chaotic world of colours, crowds, shouting, clamor and clatter and all manner of goods from fabrics, ornamental crafts, spices, clothing, local Goanese, Kahmiri and Tibetan handicrafts and Goan trance music. The market has changed considerably from its early hippy days, but despite being an obvious tourist hub, Anjuna Market is worth a visit. The stalls look stunning, the ambience is fantastic, and, of course, it's the perfect place to get those holiday souvenirs. Though most items are exorbitantly priced, one has to haggle successfully to make good deals!

It is the most colourful market among all, but also condemned these days due to alleged rampant sell of narcotics.

The weekly flea-market at Anjuna is an exhibition of different cultures-national and international. It can be reached by road or by sea, since some fishermen have begun to transport people around the headland from the neighboring beach of Baga.

 
Monuments In India

Lotus Temple Delhi
qutub minar (Delhi)
Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Taj Mahal Agra
  Forts & Palaces of India

Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Jaisalmer Fort Jaisalmer
City Palace Jaipur
Lalgarh Palace Bikaner

Wildlife Sanctuaries
In India

Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary
Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

 
Wildlife Parks In India

Bandhavgarh National Park
Corbett National Park
Ranthambore National Park
Kaziranga National Park
  Fairs & Festival of India

Onnam Kerala
Pushkar Festival
Baisakhi Punjab
Pongal

  Temples In India

Birla Mandir Delhi
Iskon Temple Delhi
Jama Masjid Delhi
Sun Temple Konarak

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