You find them all across Goa. Standing white-washed and solemn in fields, along roads, in market places and in most places the eyes wander.
But if you want to witness the splendour of thousands of crosses under one roof, there's just one place to visit. The Big foot Cross museum located in Ancestral Goa, Loutolim, where collector Maendra Alvares has, thanks to years of labour, has put together a collection of nearly 1500 crosses of every shape, size and colour, sourced from all over the world.
For Alvares, the cross is a "a singularly influential representation of the religious belief and is recognized by all nations, notwithstanding its acceptance".
The story of his collection of crosses at the Big Foot Cross Museum, which is open to public viewing, began way back in 2006, with a batch of 250 crosses, which he had accumulated all through his journeys across Europe.
Since then, he has been meticulously collecting crosses from friends, benefactors, his own journeys to put together this one - of- a- kind collection.
The unique collection includes crosses of every size, from the minuscule to the mammoth and from the humble to the intricate. Some of the crosses to be looked out for, are the ones made of skull figurines, ivory or even with traces of more modern imagery.
More detailed explanation of the crosses can be accessed in a book ‘In Search’, also available at the museum, which offers explanations on the existing collection of crosses, their classifications, their symbolism and evolution down the ages.
It has a detailed version of explanations and verifications of many of the traditional and local uses of the symbolism of the cross.
The informative book also contains information about the origins, legends and customs of the more popular local Goan crosses like the Fullancho Furis (Cross of Flowers) located in Bambolim, Baradde Furis, in Betul, Chirea Furis (Stone Cross) in Loutolim, Growing Cross in Old Goa, Kanteantlo Furis in Lotoulim, etc.
How to get there: Loutolim is of Goa's more stunningly beautiful villages and is a must visit anyway. The village is located around 45 kms south of Panaji. Ask anyone for Ancestral Goa museum once there.
Pilar Museum is a rich repository, which has played a custodian for more than just some slices of Goa’s culture and heritage.
Located at Pilar, this museum, which is housed in a Roman Catholic seminary, has ancient artifacts which relate to nearly all religious cultures which have existed in Goa over the centuries namely Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, etc, as well as the ancient dynasties which have ruled Goa like the Shilaharas and the Kadambas.
One of the more unique exhibits at the museum is the Christian Pahlabi cross which dates back to the 7th century, which was accidentally found on the shores of the Zuari river, a short distance from Pilar village itself.
Then there is a granite idol of Ganesh, remnants of a Buddha statue, granite carvings of snakes, Vaishnava deities, seal of the Kadamba kings, a Roman amphora, Roman and Kadamba gold coins and even a Marathi translation of the Bible written way back in the early 1600s.
Fragments of ancient Chinese and local pottery also exhibited here, testify to existing trade between Goa and China at the time.
The museum also has a glorious statue of St. Mary Magdalene in penance, which is also adorned in indigenous symbology.
Pilar Museum
Pilar village, around 10 kms from Panaji
