Trip Attractions

Christian Pilgrimage Centres in India
People went on pilgrimage for many reasons – perhaps to say sorry to God for something they had done wrong (penance), or because they were ill and wanted God to heal them. How do people decide where to go on a pilgrimage? Over the years, places have become special for different reasons, and Christians decide to visit them to become closer to God in these special places.

1. Basilica of Bom Jesus – Goa
The church of Bom Jesus, “Good” or “Infant” Jesus, is known principally for the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. In 1946, it became the first church in India to be elevated to the status of Minor Basilica. One of the richest churches in Goa, it is covered with marble and inlaid with precious stones and paintings depicting the life of St. Francis Xavier. The basilica, where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are kept, is the best specimen of baroque architecture in India. St. Francis’s body was brought to Goa almost 150 years after his death. It was a gift from Medici, Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. It now lies in an airtight glass coffin, placed inside a silver casket fashioned by a 17th-century Florentine jeweler. The chapel attracts large numbers of visitors every year.

2. The Church of St. Cajetan, Goa
The Church of St. Cajetan is modeled on the original design of St. Peter’s Church in Rome. The Church of Bom Jesus with its facade decorated with Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian pilasters, shows the application of the Classical order. The Se’ Cathedral, with its Tuscan exterior, the Corinthian columns at its portals, the raised platform with steps leading to the entrance, and the barrel vault above the nave, is yet another example of Renaissance. The paintings in the churches were done on wooden borders and fixed between panels having floral designs as in the chapels housing the tomb of St. Xavier, the arches above the altars in the transept of the Se’ Cathedral, and in the nave on either side of the main altar in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Excepting a few which are in stone, the statues are mostly in wood delicately carved and painted to adorn the altars. They depict mostly the saints, Mother Mary and Jesus on the cross.

3. Christ Church & St. Michael’s Cathedral, H.P. ( This is not part of this trip )
The most prominent building on the famous Mall of Shimla is the yellow Christ Church, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern India. It still has those lovely stained glass windows for which it is so famed.

4. Church of St Francis of Assisi, Goa
This church is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The exterior of the Church is of the Tuscan order while the main entrance is in Manueline style. To the west of the Se Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The structure is built of laterite blocks and is lime-plastered. The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on either side, a choir, two altars in the transept, and the main altar. To the north of the main altar are a belfry and a sacristy. The convent, which forms an annexure to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.

5. Church of the Sacred Heart, Delhi ( This is not part of this trip )
Further north, at the south end of Bhai Vir Singh Marg, is one of Medd’s more ambitious projects, the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart.
This Church displays a strong Italianate influence, with a facade of white pillars supporting a canopy set against a dark brick background, and circular arcades of turrets rising above the roof to each side of the entrance porch. The lofty interior has a towering curved roof, polished stone floors, and broad arches set into smooth walls, presenting a very grand look.

6.Santa Cruz Basilica, Kerala
The Santa Cruz Basilica is a historic church that was built by the Portuguese. The church was elevated to a cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558 AD. In 1795 AD, it fell into the hands of the British when they took over Cochin and was demolished.
About a hundred years later, Bishop Dom Gomez Ferreira commissioned a new building at the same site in 1887 AD. The church was proclaimed a Basilica in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.

7. Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, Mumbai
St. Thomas’ Cathedral, the city’s first Anglican Church is situated in the heart of the commercial fort area, in Mumbai. The foundation was laid in 1672 during the governorship of Gerald Aungier, was opened to the public on the Chris Ãtmas Day in 1718, and is subject to a number of later additions. Though simple in structure, the interior of the Church has some exquisite art adoration. A marble plaque at the front entrance reads: “Let all who enter this church remember Richard Cobbe, chaplain to the Honorable East India Company 1715 to 1719, this church had risen to 15 feet when the building ceased and the site lay desolate for 33 years. It was consecrated in 1816 and became a cathedral in 1837.

8. Little Mount, Chennai (Madras)
Little Mount in Saidapet is where he lived and preached. It is not much of a hill but high enough for the churches on it to be noticed from a distance. The new church, consecrated in 1971 attracts attention by unusual circular shape. However, it is the old church next door, built-in 1711 as an extension to a shrine that the Portuguese had built-in 1511, that is thronged by pilgrims. It is not impressive from the outside but its minuscule interior and has an atmosphere not found in many churches. This Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is built against and above the rock cave that was St. Thomas’ home.

Pre-departure planning is important. Here are certain things you should watch for and plan for.

Visas

Here is a link for online https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html E visa on arrival  for India please check if country you are travelling is covered under E visa on arrival and file online from home for your visa to India if not Check with the Indian consulate or embassy in your country to find out if you will need a visa .

Money

Indian currency is INR you can get all major  currencies eg : Euros, USD, Canadian Dollars British Pounds etc  exchanged at Airports ,Hotels or Money changers ,in general Airport and Hotels money changers may not get best price any money changers may be visited during city tours etc is recommended to get best deals.

General Tips

Set up a pre-trip timeline so you don’t end up with a full to-do list during your last week of work or school.

Things to consider are doctor’s visits for a check-up, inoculations, and prescription refills, purchasing plane tickets renewing passports, and obtaining visas and other documents.

Be prepared for uncomfortable trips. You will often find yourself in a busy, cramped, economy class environment and it could be for many hours – especially long plane trips.

If you want to arrive at your destination refreshed and able to enjoy the sights, then try a good quality travel pillow to support your head, some ear plugs to block out the screaming babies, and an eye cover to block out the sun or cabin lights.