Pilgrim Village Ready for St. Francis Xavier Exposition in Old Goa

To accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims for the upcoming Exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier in Old Goa, the state government has constructed a temporary Pilgrim Village. The village, located a short walk from the Bom Jesus Basilica, features 10 completed cottages with the capacity to house 10-12 people each, equipped with basic amenities like lights, fans, and charging points. The cottages are built with eco-friendly materials like bamboo and coconut palms. The village is intended to provide basic accommodation for pilgrims who arrive without prior bookings, aiming to decongest the area around the Se Cathedral and the Bom Jesus Basilica. The Church plans to expand the village to 17 cottages, accommodating over 200 devotees daily. The Exposition, which begins on November 21st and continues until January 5th, is expected to draw lakhs of pilgrims from across India, including those undertaking walking pilgrimages.