Walking pilgrims arrive in Bicholim, camp at Church

A group of pilgrims from Kolhapur region during their walking pilgrimage.

Photo Credits: Manuel Rodrigues

BELAGAVI

While the number of walking pilgrims reaching Old Goa on Friday is likely to reach the 1,000-mark, the walking pilgrimage to Old Goa has caught the fervour as kids as young as 4 years and persons in their seventies have joined the pilgrimage.
Traversing across the tough ghats and the rough weather, these pilgrims reached Bicholim on Thursday evening and were camping at Our Lady of Grace Church campus. They will be reaching Old Goa on Friday at 10.30 am.
Along with people of other faiths, the pilgrims have walked a distance of over 250 kms by foot to seek the darshan of ‘Goencho Saib’, their patron saint.
“My grandsons have joined the walking pilgrimage this year. And they are not tired till date and are eager to go further. This walking tradition is now being transited to the next generation,” Santaji Lobo of Prarthana Kendra said.
Fasku (Pascoal) Francis Bardeskar, a retired principal who has just celebrated his 75th birthday is also part of the pilgrimage.
“It’s really an enchanting experience. A pilgrimage taken once a year keeps me fit throughout the year,” Bardeskar said.
Some of the Hindu pilgrims who have joined the pilgrimage said that they are blessed by St Francis Xavier in all their endeavours.
“St Francis Xavier, who has been the patron of the Goan settlers in the upper ghats region, has also blessed us in many ways. That is why every year we make it a point to join the walking pilgrimage,” Maruti Koshti and Deepak Kharkande told The Goan.
What is also amusing a stray dog from Adkur village about 50 kms from Belagavi has also accompanied the walking pilgrimage and the pilgrims are taking care of it.