04 Dec 2022  |   06:29am IST

65 Karnataka devotees cover 130-km on foot to participate in Old Goa feast

Say it’s faith that gives them the strength to make it a happy journey for St Francis Xavier’s feast

Santosh Naik

PONDA: It was walking pilgrimage to Old Goa for 65 Karnataka devotees, who after covering a distance of 130 kms, participated in celebrating the feast of Goencho Saib St Francis Xavier, on Saturday. 

Devotees from Khanapur, Sanghargari and Belagavi, who embarked on a ‘padayatra’, reached the Marcel Church on December 2 night.  

They said it’s faith that gives them the strength to make it a happy journey.

Former sarpanch and panch Francis made arrangements with regards to providing dinner and breakfast for the pilgrims.

Fr Vinoto and Fr Custhalimba said for the past three decades devotees from Belagavi have kept the walking pilgrimage tradition of participating in the Old Goa novena. 

The devotees commenced their journey on November 29 and arrived on December 2. And now, after celebrating the feast of St Francis Xavier, they will return to their native places. 

It is pertinent to note that hundreds of devotees from Karnataka and Maharashtra arrived on foot to participate in the novena and the feast at Old Goa.