The Hindu : Front Page : Exposition of holy relics begins

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 22, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

Exposition of holy relics begins

By Anil Sastry

PANAJI, NOV. 21. The pontifical mass by the Goan Archbishop, Filipe Neri Ferrao, attended by thousands of devotees in front of the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa near here, marked the beginning of the 16th solemn exposition of the holy relics of St. Francis Xavier on Sunday morning.

After the mass, the Bishop performed rituals to the silver casket containing the mortal remains of the Saint kept inside the Basilica.

The Goa Governor, S.C. Jamir, and his wife, the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, and other dignitaries paid their homage to the Saint.

The casket was then carried by eight priests up to the main entrance of the Basilica and then by 18 representatives from various deaneries in the State to Se Cathedral across the main road, where it would be kept for veneration of devotees for 42 days, till January 2.

The church authorities have organised a multimedia presentation on the Saint, screening of a short feature film, an exhibition of Christian Art and Paint and the staging of a dance-drama on the life of the Saint during the festival.

Mr. Parrikar said the Government had made elaborate arrangements for transportation and stay of pilgrims during the exposition. A new bypass road for NH4A had been built in a record time of 65 days to deviate traffic from NH17 towards Belgaum/Hubli passing through Old Goa.

Also, several State-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation buses had been pressed into service between Old Goa and other destinations, besides a ferry service between Old Goa and Panaji by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation.

Security of five heritage structures in Old Goa and safety of pilgrims were being taken care of by the Goa Police, assisted by 10 companies of CRPF, said the Director-General of Police, Amod Kanth. He said the police did not want to take any chance in these matters.

Enough fire safety measures also had been taken. While the entry of general traffic into the Old Goa heritage complex was prohibited, special shuttle services would take pilgrims up and down the venue from parking points.

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