The Devachea Paulancho Khuris is located on the Loutolim-Verna bypass and has come to be known as a shrine where a lot of miracles have occurred. Maria Sequeira, a devotee from Carvota, Loutolim stated that people from all over the state come to worship at the cross because of the miracles that have taken place. In the month of April during the holy season of Lent, a group of faithful organize a ‘Way of the Cross’ from the Mae de Deus Chapel to this shrine, the feast of which is celebrated in the month of May.
Hipolito, another resident of Loutolim reminisces the old days wherein he would visit the shrine along with his father while their cattle would graze in nearby fields. He further mentioned that the cross will be entering its centenary year after being renovated. The Chapel that is built around the cross was done so by well-wishers.
As per Hipolito, the cross was made of coconut palms a long time ago by shepherds who would also use the fields nearby so that their cattle could graze. The cross thus became a shrine of devotion for these shepherds in the absence of anything else.
Hipolito went on to explain that there were footsteps found near the cross on the rocks which were believed to be that of Jesus Christ.
Shepherds, in the month of May would celebrate the feast in their own small way by distributing cashew nuts, char, carandas among the villagers.
Rusada Dias, a devotee from Ambora mentioned that a lot of pilgrims could to worship at the cross in recent times. “A lot of people come, especially on a Sunday from different parts of Goa. This kind of devotion has built up a united kind of community which prays together and stays together. This cross has even traversed the boundaries of anti-secularism as it has tied knots of communal harmony with devotees from different castes and creed coming to show their devotion,” she explained.
