BELAGAVI
After a gap of one year, a number of devotees from different parts of Belagavi and Kolhapur districts have begun their walking pilgrimage to Old Goa for the Feast of St Francis Xavier.
Incidentally, the annual walking pilgrimage was cancelled last year for the first time in the last four decades, after it was started by the noted Jesuit priest late Swamy Prabhudhar with just 7 persons from Ajara in 1982.
Following their long traditions, these pilgrims left from Ajara, Gadhinglaj, Chandgad, Ichalkaranji and other talukas of Kolhpur district and various talukas of Belagavi district
About 500 pilgrims, most of whom are gaonkars of various communidades in Goa, will be reaching Old Goa on December 2.
Continuing their prayerful pilgrimage amid the rough and stormy weather and after a year’s gap due to the Covid pandemic, all of them will offer their ‘Angvonn’ and seek the blessings of ‘Goencho Saib’.
“We are happy that we could resume the pilgrimage this year after a gap of one year. Due to instructions from authorities of Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa, we have restricted the number of pilgrims this year,” said Fr Joe Monteiro, parish priest of St Anthony’s Church, Gadhinglaj, who is the nephew of late Swamy Prabhudhar.
These walking pilgrims, comprising men, women, children and senior citizens, would be covering a distance of about 200 kms on average to reach Old Goa via different routes. Pilgrims from Kolhapur district are walking via Ramghat and Bhedshi, while those from Belagavi will be walking via Chorla.
The Belagavi group, which commenced the pilgrimage on Monday, halted at Jamboti where Fr Victor D’Cruz and Fr Framiot Vaz offered a special Mass for them. Those from Kolhapur district who took a halt at Here village in Chandgad taluka.
“The weather today was stormy, however we have faith in Goencho Saib who will protect us against every adverse condition and we will reach Old Goa safely to take part in the feast,” Rosemary Macarenhas, a teacher from Belagavi told The Goan.
Like every year, a special Mass has been organised by Basilica authorities for the walking pilgrims on the evening of December 2. Neil Monteiro from Sanquelim and Thomas Fernandes from Vagator are among those have been serving food to these pilgrims since many years.
Incidentally, the annual walking pilgrimage was cancelled last year for the first time in the last four decades, after it was started by the noted Jesuit priest late Swamy Prabhudhar with just 7 persons from Ajara in 1982.
Following their long traditions, these pilgrims left from Ajara, Gadhinglaj, Chandgad, Ichalkaranji and other talukas of Kolhpur district and various talukas of Belagavi district
About 500 pilgrims, most of whom are gaonkars of various communidades in Goa, will be reaching Old Goa on December 2.
Continuing their prayerful pilgrimage amid the rough and stormy weather and after a year’s gap due to the Covid pandemic, all of them will offer their ‘Angvonn’ and seek the blessings of ‘Goencho Saib’.
“We are happy that we could resume the pilgrimage this year after a gap of one year. Due to instructions from authorities of Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa, we have restricted the number of pilgrims this year,” said Fr Joe Monteiro, parish priest of St Anthony’s Church, Gadhinglaj, who is the nephew of late Swamy Prabhudhar.
These walking pilgrims, comprising men, women, children and senior citizens, would be covering a distance of about 200 kms on average to reach Old Goa via different routes. Pilgrims from Kolhapur district are walking via Ramghat and Bhedshi, while those from Belagavi will be walking via Chorla.
The Belagavi group, which commenced the pilgrimage on Monday, halted at Jamboti where Fr Victor D’Cruz and Fr Framiot Vaz offered a special Mass for them. Those from Kolhapur district who took a halt at Here village in Chandgad taluka.
“The weather today was stormy, however we have faith in Goencho Saib who will protect us against every adverse condition and we will reach Old Goa safely to take part in the feast,” Rosemary Macarenhas, a teacher from Belagavi told The Goan.
Like every year, a special Mass has been organised by Basilica authorities for the walking pilgrims on the evening of December 2. Neil Monteiro from Sanquelim and Thomas Fernandes from Vagator are among those have been serving food to these pilgrims since many years.
