OLD GOA
The unique festival ‘Santanchem Pursanv’ or ‘Procession of Saints’ was held at Goa Velha on Monday, with around 31 life-sized statues taken out in a procession in a pre-determined route in the village.
The procession is held on the fifth Monday of Lent with various statues taken out from the Church including coat of arms, St Michael the Archangel, St Bonaventura, St Clara, St Francis of Assisi, St Pascoal, St Roque, and others.
As each statue was taken out from the Church, a brief narration was read about their significance.
Later, the statues were taken out from the Church and proceeded through the Goa Velha market, then onto the main road, before finally being taken back into the Church.
Along the way, many devotees sought blessings of the saints by going under the chorals carrying the statues.
