Church of the Holy Spirit

Abhijeet DeshpandeAbhijeet Deshpande/Guest Contributor/SIGHTSEEING, MARGAO/ Updated : Apr 21, 2016, 11:14 IST

Church of the Holy Spirit

You're Reading

Synopsis

One of the oldest churches in Margao, located in Borda, this was built in the 16th century by Jesuits after the Portuguese demolished the erstwhile Damodar temple. Hindus managed to rescue the deity's idol and subsequently built a beautiful temple at Zambaulim, southeast of Margao. At fate would have it, this place of worship and the associated seminary suffered a similar demolition at the hands of Muslim raiders. The present Baroque style building was finally built in 1675 CE. The seminary has since been moved northeast to Raia Rachol Seminary (locally known as the Raiturchi Seminary) on the outskirts of Margao.

The Church of Holy Spirit celebrates its day of feast in the final weeks of May or early June and the event is accompanied by outdoor festivities for an entire week. This is a time for Goans to congregate at this magnificent edifice and to shop in Margao for spices and dry fish before the onset of monsoon. Located near the old market square and at a 20 minutes north-bound walk from the town center, the church offers a daily mass service in Konkani and one in English on Sunday mornings at 9 AM.