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 The Reis Magos Church is located in the small hamlet of Reis Magos which lies on banks of the Mondovi River. It is also one of only three places in Goa, where the unique Feast of the Three Wise Men is held. The Church, whose whitewashed gabled facade is visible from across the river in Panaji, was built in 1555. Historians have found evidence to support the fact that the Church was built on the ruins of an old Hindu temple. Two typical symbols of the Hindu Vijayanagar temple architecture - bas-relief lion figures can be seen on the flanks, at the start of the steps going up to the Church. Franciscan friars, who were in charge of missionary work for the area, took over the church and founded a small seminary here. Not long after its construction, the Church and the Seminary became a well established site for learning and its prominence can be gauged from the fact that the Portuguese royal coat of arms is imprinted below the crucifix at the top of the gable. Two of Goa's former Viceroys are actually buried here, their tombstone inscriptions in Portuguese and Latin still clearly legible. The Church interiors are quite bright and impressive, with the highlight being the multihued wooden ceiling showing the Three Wise Men (Reis Magos) bearing gifts to the Baby Jesus, which is the focus of the elaborately carved and painted reredos behind the high altar.
Every year on the 6th of January, Reis Magos comes alive with the vibrant Fiesta de los Tres Reyes Magos. Local youth of the village enact the part of the Three Kings of Magi. They rejoice the journey of the three kings who went to worship the holy Infant Child, with a procession that starts from the Church and goes around the village.
Southindiatourtravel.com provides information on Reis Magos Church,
Places of Worship and different Churches around Goa.
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