CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF SNOWS - RACHOL
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Panjim (Goa)): 36 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Rachol Seminary (900 mts)
Trip Duration (From Rachol Seminary , Including Travel): 30 Mins
Place Location: Rachol Village
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Rachol Seminary (900 mts)
At a distance of 36 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 33 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 8.3 km from Margao Railway Station, Our Lady of Snows Church is situated in South Goa.
The Church of Our Lady of Snows also known as Igreja da Nossa Senhora de Neves is located in the village of Rachol on the banks of the Zuari River. The Church dedicated to Our Lady of Snows. The Church was built in 1576 by the Jesuits close to the famous Rachol Seminary. Before that there was a little chapel inside the fort of Rachol where the Jesuits who settled there in 1556 would celebrate Mass. The church was later rebuilt in 1596.
The Church of Our Lady of Snows at Rachol is said to be the first church of Salcete and is called the Matriz (Mother Church) of South Goa. The Church was built in Neo-Roman Style of Architecture. It has a single large low nave with tile roof and barrel-vaulted chancel. The Church facade has three sections and two orders. The church contains a single bell tower on the north side pertaining to a probably later third order. The tower protects a gallery that connects the parish buildings. On the south side a lateral section protects another gallery.
There have been two historical burials in the church at the altar. One was captain of the Fort Diogo Rodrigues in 1577 and the other was the martyrs of Cuncolim in 1583.The martyrs' bodies remained in the church until 1597, after which Jesuit priests were moved to Saint Paul's College and laid to rest in Old Goa at the Cathedral in 1862.
The Rachol Church feast day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of August. However the main feast day of the Rachol Church is celebrated on Jan 1st as this day is dedicated to Bom Jesus. The fair remains for a day only.
