The Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa will be closed for tourists, visitors, pilgrims, and devotees for a month from September 5 onwards on account of urgent and major restoration work.
“The closure of the Basilica during this period has been necessitated by the urgent need for restoration of the wooden altars that have termite and wood boring insects, which have been creating havoc for some years. If not treated, it will cause irreparable damage to the wooden structures and statutes on the altars,” said Fr Patricio Fernandes SJ, Rector of the Bom Jesus Basilica.
“We regret the inconvenience caused to all people who come to the Basilica for visits, prayers and blessings on account of this urgent work of restoration undertaken after years at the Basilica.”
“However, all spiritual programmes and Masses at 7 am (Konkani) and 8 am (English) can be watched on the Basilica’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/STFRANCISXAVIEROFFICIALBasilicaBomJesus) and the ‘St Francis Xavier Official’ app,” he stated.
Fr Fernandes said the ASI Chemical Branch Mumbai has been working on the restoration project since July and after all the clearances and tendering, they will commence the work from Monday (September 5) onwards for nearly a month or so.
“During this period, the WRD minister, along with his engineers will also level up the low-lying area of the Pandal, which, year after year, gets filled with water from the torrential rains.”
“Besides these two major works undertaken by the ASI and WRD minister and his engineers, other minor works will also be completed during this closure period,” said Fr Fernandes.