CHAPEL OF ST. SEBASTIAN - PANAJI
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 2 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Trip Duration (From Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Including Travel): 30 Mins
Place Location: Panaji Town
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (900 mts).
Following places are near by and are usually visited together:
Mahalakshmi Temple (450 mts), St Inez Cross (1.6 kms), St. Thomas Chapel (1.2 kms), Goa State Museum (1.6 kms), Maruti Temple (1 km), Fontainhas (800 mts)
At a distance of 2 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 30 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 1 km from Fontainhas, Chapel of St. Sebastian is situated in Panjim City of North Goa.
The Chapel of St Sebastian is a popular tourist attraction in Goa, built in 1818. This chapel is dedicated to St. Sebastian. In earlier days, people were troubled with the disease of pests and plagues, which was very frequent in Salcette area. They turned for help to St Sebastian who treated them through his mediation and miraculous interventions.
This chapel has a small nave with an adjoining narrow corridor with a staircase leading to the choir. This whitewashed church has a striking crucifix which originally stood in the Palace of Inquisition in Old Goa. In the crucifix Christ's eyes are opened. Locals say that the crucifix adorning this church is magical and has the power to punish troublemakers and reward good people.
The Inquisition was set up in Goa in 1560. The crucifix was later moved to the Adil Shah´s Palace or the Secretariat, until the Viceroys moved to a new residence at Cabo when it was brought to the St Sebastian Chapel. The Chapel also houses a statue of the Virgin Mary, two marquetry chests and three elaborately carved screens from a church in Diu, which once formed part of the colony of Goa.
It dominates the small square where the locals used to hold the lively annual street feast on each mid November to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Livrament. There is an old traditional well attached to the Chapel.
Timings: 9:30 AM - 1 PM and 4:30 PM - 6 PM on all days.
