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
