the goan I network
MARGAO
It was Thursday evening. Just before sunset, a group of historians and history lovers sat spellbound as they were witness to the astronomical moment inside the Holy Spirit Church as the Holy Spirit and the two statues inside were illuminated by the light of the setting sun.
Outside the Church, the historians remembered the massacre in Margao that took place in the area on 21st September, 1890, wherein the history lovers were explained the significance of the three brass rings on the façade of the adjoining house, indicating that three bullets had hit the house during the massacre that killed around 23 persons.
Fr Nascimento Jose Mascarenhas, a Priest and historian, besides historian Sanjeev Sardesai and others were all present inside the Holy Spirit Church to witness the astronomical moment that takes place on equinox on March 21 and September 22.
"Today, the setting Sun's ray illuminated the Holy Spirit and two other statues. On September 22, the light will illuminate the statue of Jesus Christ. This takes place every year during equinox," remarked a historian, adding that history lovers can hope for a illuminated view of the statue of Jesus Christ on the Cross on Friday.
As far as the massacre of 23 persons are concerned, Sardesai explained that the people had gathered around the square to
protest against the rigging of election result.
"There was commotion at the place. In the firing that took place, 23 people had fallen victims to the bullets just because they had raised their voice against rigging. Three places on the house that bore bullet marks have been protected with brass rings with the date of the incident," Sardesai added.
