Goa on India's west coast was once a Portuguese enclave. The legacy of Christianity and of the Gothic architectural style popular in Portugal during previous centuries, can still be seen in the churches of Goa today. Many of the significant churches can be seen in Old Goa and in Panaji, the capital of Goa. Some of the churches of interest are:

Old Goa:

The holy Basilica of Bom Jesus, houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is a famous pilgrimage center among Roman Catholics. Other well-known churches are the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of St. Cajetan, Church of St. Augustine Ruins, Church and Convent of St. Monica, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Chapel of St. Anthony and Chapel of St. Catherine.

Panaji:

The capital of Goa is a heritage location with many renowned Churches and buildings constructed in Gothic style, situated on the left bank of the Mandovi river. The church dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the Chapel of St. Sebastian and the statue of Abbe Faria are must-see stops on the itinerary of any religious travelist.

YOUR ITINERARY for Goa
(Trichy - Velankanni - Trichy - Madras - Goa (8 Days/7 Nights) )

Day 1 : Arrive Trichy - Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel Jenny's Residency or similar, lunch and Dinner at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Trichy/Velankanni (95 kms/1.5 hrs) - After breakfast, leave by car/coach for Velankanni, famous for the church of our Lady of Health. Said to have been built on the prompting of a vision of lady with child in arms, this church Is a place of pilgrimage for Christians all over the country. On arrival, check-in and lunch at Tamilnadu Tourist Rest House or similar. Evening free for religious activities. Dinner and overnight at rest house.

Day 03: Velankanni - Breakfast at rest house. Rest of the day free for religious activities, lunch, dinner and overnight at rest house.

Day 04: Velankanni / Trichy / Madras - After breakfast, leave Velankanni for Trichy by car/coach, lunch enroute. Arrive Trichy Railway Station to take a train for Madras (Vaigai Express). Madras is the gateway to South India. It traces its origin as for back as 1639AD, when the British East India Company first settled here near the tiny fishing village of Madrasapatnam. Transfer to Hotel New Victoria or similar. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Madras - After breakfast, half-day sight-seeing tour visiting National Arts Gallery and Museum, fort St. George, Fort Museum, St. Mary's Church, Victoria Technical Institute and drive along the Marina Beach. After lunch at hotel, the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Madras/Goa - After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Goa, lunch on board. Goa - an ancient Portuguese colony, which became a part of Indian republic in 1961, has traces of its ancient culture, largely writ all over in its churches, bungalows and layouts of the city. On arrival, transfer to Hotel Cidade-de-Goa. Afternoon, tour of Panjim city visiting - The Basilica of Born Jesus in Velha, originally built in 1560, a mixture of Portuguese and Gothic architecture. The church is famous, for it enshrines the miraculously incorruptible body of St. Francis Xavier in a marble and silver cascade. Also visit the Se Cathedral, dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, built in 1562. The interior of the cathedral is adorned with gold stucco relics and paintings representing Indo-Portuguese art. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Goa - After breakfast, half-day tour of beautiful beaches of Goa - Bagmolo. Calangute, Baga and Vagator. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Goa/Back Home - After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for flight to onward journey/back home.