CHURCH OF MARY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PANJIM

Established in 1541, the Church of Mary Immaculate Conception is one of the earliest churches built in Goa. Located at the heart of Panaji, this majestic church is a prominent landmark of the city. A silhouette of the Mary Immaculate Church illuminated with thousand of bulbs shimmering against an inky dark sky is one of the most enduring images of the Panaji city. The great bell at the Church of Mary Immaculate Conception is acclaimed as the second largest bell in the world. Known as the Bell of the Inquisition, this bell was previously a part of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Old Goa. It was shifted to the Mary Immaculate Church in 1841, after Panaji became the capital of Goa. The interiors of the church are elegant yet minimalist. The main altar dedicated to Mary Immaculate is flanked by two altars on either side. The left altar is dedicated to Jesus Crucified while the right one honors Our Lady of the Rosary. At the side of each altar is a marble statue, one of St Peter and one of St Paul. The Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, located to the south of the main altar, houses a glass-encased statue of him. On 8th December every year, devotees flock to the church in large numbers to attend the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The feast is a celebration of the conception of Lord Jesus by Mother Mary.

 IMAGE COLLECTION

Rao Subashchandra, 2008 (Flickr)

Deepak Sharma, 2009  (webjives.com)

M.Macbain (Photobucket)

Gretchen, 2008 (Picasa)

 

More pictures...

(Google Images)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Established in 1541, the Church of Mary Immaculate Conception is one of the earliest churches built in Goa. Located at the heart of Panaji, this majestic church is a prominent landmark of the city. A silhouette of the Mary Immaculate Church illuminated with thousand of bulbs shimmering against an inky dark sky is one of the most enduring images of the Panaji city. More...

In the heart of Panaji City, lies the beautiful church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. This church was one of the first to be built in Goa, between the years 1510 - 1540. The decoration of this church is simple yet the simplicity is what makes it beautiful to the eye of the beholder especially at night when this church is lit up. The steps leading up to the church add to the exquisite charm and majestic look. More...

Panjim tem algumas das mais belas igrejas na Índia. Largo da Igreja Largo da Igreja é um grande exemplo do Estado Português e da arquitetura. A Igreja da Imaculada Conceição foi construída no ano de 1541 e é definitivamente um dos mais belos monumentos de Goa.Panjim tem algumas das mais belas igrejas na Índia. Se a Igreja da Imaculada Conceição é a mais bela igreja em Goa, depois da Basílica de Born Jesus é definitivamente a mais famosa igreja em Goa. É nesta igreja do século 16 que o corpo de São Francisco Xavier foi mantido. More...

Standing tall and elegant in the heart of the Capital is the famous Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception of (Igreja Maria Immaculada Conceicao). With a flight of steps adding to its exquisite charm and majestic look of the immaculately the Panjim Church is rooted in Goa's historic past and Culture for more than four and half centuries. Built originally before 1540, that is, between1510 - 1540 by the Portuguese, the Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Immaculada Conceicao was raised to a Parish Church in 1600. It is one of the oldest Catholic ecclesiastical structures of Panaji, contemporary to the Cabo Chapel at Dona Paula. It was rebuilt from its foundations in 1612 but historian scholar from Panaji Antonio de Menezes writes that it was rebuilt in 1619. (‘Goa' - Historical Notes - Vol. I by Anthonio Menezes). More...