Mae De Deus Church

Posted on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 by Neha Sharma

About Mae De Deus Church

The dazzling white building and Neo-Gothic architecture are so soulful that it mesmerizes every visitor. Nestled amidst the picturesque surroundings of the Goa countryside, Mae De Deus Church is situated in Bardez taluka, Saligao.

Mae de Deus or Mother of God Church is a breath-taking sight that offers amazing views at night with enchanting lights. One will surely be amazed by the effect of peaceful beauty, the lush greenery within and the aura it presents at first glance. This popular Goan church is known for the miraculous statue of Mae de Deus (Our Lady) brought from the ruins of the Monastery of Mae de Deus (Mother of God) in Old Goa.

From exterior to interiors, the Mae De Deus Church is definitely one of the best places to visit in North Goa. With interiors and carved ornamentation on the ceiling and walls, the church attracts not only religious followers but also those who like to admire the reality on the ground.

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History of Mae De Deus Church

Built in the 19th century, the church dedicated to the Mother of God or Our Lady is known as Mae de Deus. Its foundation stone was first laid on 7th February 1867 and this beautiful church was inaugurated on 26th November 1873. With Gothic spires and pristine white walls, the Mae de Deus Church is an important landmark in Goa, reminiscent of a fairy-tale castle.

The architecture of the Mae De Deus Church

The church building is surprisingly distinctive with its jutting spires, each crowned with a cross. It has buttresses supporting its outer walls and belfry. In the courtyard of the church, there is another statue of Mae de Deus, made of black stone.

It is said that the church was built with excavated stones from three different sites, two of which were religious institutions. The black stones came from the ruins of the Mae de Deus convent in Daujim, another material came from the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory, located at a distance of 18 km, while the remainder was made of stones from a nearby quarry.

The church has a beautiful domed shape main entrance that almost narrates the whole story. Above it is a niche in the façade containing a statue of Our Lady. On the upper part, there is a belfry with two bells. And, a dome-shaped construction with jutting spires fulfilled this unusual façade.

Celebration

The first Sunday of the month of May is celebrated as the Feast of the Mother of God, which is preceded by a nine-day novena. Each day of the celebration is organised by a separate ward of Saligao where small children dress up like angels, dance and pay tribute with flowers in front of the Mother of God or Our Lady. After the novena, the festival is followed by melodious music, short plays and dances performed by parishioners.

Essential Information of Mae De Deus Church

How To Reach Mae De Deus Church

How To Reach Mae De Deus Church By Air

Mae De Deus Church is located at a distance of about 35.1 km from Goa International Airport. Dabolim Airport is the only airport that serves both domestic and international flights to major cities. The easiest and most convenient way to reach the church from the airport is to hire a taxi/cab or a bus from the airport which will take a maximum of 1 hour 22 minutes.

Nearest Airport: Dabolim Airport (Goa International Airport)

Address: Airport Rd, Dabolim, Goa 403801

How To Reach Mae De Deus Church By Road

Goa has more than 16 bus stands and Calangute Bus Stand is the closest to Mae de Deus Church located at a distance of 3.7 km. Most of the bus stands are well connected with most of the states of India and the cities and villages of Goa. You can easily take a bus from your location to Calangute or Panjim to reach the church.

How To Reach Mae De Deus Church By Rail

Karmali Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Mae De Deus Church which is located within a distance of approximately 20.9 km. You can get a train from your location to Karmali Railway Station as it is a major railway station connected to a number of cities in India. From the station you can take an auto, taxi/cab or bus to reach the Mai Day des Church in Saligao.

How To Reach Mae De Deus Church From Panaji (Panjim)

The distance between Mae de Deus Church and Panaji is 12.8 km, which means it will take around 30 minutes to cover the distance between the two places. If you are in the capital of Goa and are looking for the cheapest way to reach the church, take a bus from Kadamba Bus Stand. Otherwise, for a comfortable visit, you can also book a taxi or cab to Mae De Deus Church.

Best Time To Visit Mae De Deus Church

Every month of the year offers a peaceful atmosphere at this most amazing and surprising location in Goa. Lasting from the month of April to June, summer is the festival season at Mae De Deus Church and a great time to enjoy the peace away from the crowds.

Winter means you can sit and walk around the church at night. This is the best time for nature lovers to gaze at the rare spectacles and enjoy the mesmerizing night lights of the Mae Day Deus Church.

During the strong monsoon, the whole place is filled with natural beauty, covered with a canopy of dense greenery and the sound of the wind. Monsoon is the best time to visit and witness the beauty of the church and its white walls.

Places To Visit Near Mae De Deus Church

1. Boã Vistã: One of the major tourist attractions in Saligao, Goa, Boã Vistã is known for its scenic beauty and lush greenery. This is the best place to click pictures and enjoy the hillside views. The entire road is surrounded by palm trees which makes it the best place for tourists to enjoy with their friends and partner.
   The distance from Mae De Deus Church is 500 m.
2. Snow Park in Goa: Snow Park in Goa will give you the best snow experience and will make you feel like you are in Switzerland. It offers many fun activities like creating Snowman, Climbing Walls, Snowballing, Snow Dancing, Igloo, Slide on Ice, etc. Create wonderful memories in Goa snow park with your family, friends and loved ones!
   The distance from Mae De Deus Church is 5.1 km 
3. Pilerne sunset viewpoint: Situated in North Goa, Pilerne is a pleasant village that offers a splendid view of paddy fields, palm trees, beautiful lakes and lush greenery with salt piles. It is also famous for bird watching as various birds can often be seen in the wetlands of Pilerne. It is the best place to enjoy the sunset views with blue water and natural beauty all around.
   The distance from Mae De Deus Church is 5.4 km
4. Calangute Beach: Titled as the premier beach of Goa, Calangute beach is famous for various water sports activities, adventure junkies and scenic serenity scenes. The queen of beaches in Goa attracts a large number of tourists from all parts, as it offers parasailing, water surfing, banana rides, jet-skiing etc.
   The distance from Mae De Deus Church is 4.0 km
5. Baga Beach: Baga Beach is home to some of the most captivating beachside bars and nightclubs. Also famous for its never-ending water experiences, sunbathing and getting soaked in the vibrant atmosphere. Baga Beach also attracts tourists for its major water sports activities, parasailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kite surfing and jet skiing. This place is also known for dolphin spotting tours and island trips.
   The distance from Mae De Deus Church is 5.4 km
6. Aguada Fort: Aguada Fort is one of the main tourist places in Goa, which attracts many tourists from all around. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, the fort adds charm to Indian architecture and historical beauty. Near the Aguada beach, it offers a beautiful view of the sunset along the depths of the Arabian Sea and the confluence of the Mandovi River.
   The distance from Mae De Deus Church is 7.3 km

Places To Eat Near Mae De Deus Church

• Florentine Bar & Restaurant
• Colors Restaurant & Bar
• Cornell Restaurant & Bar
• Cafe De Goa
• Saligao Stories
• Cantare
• Blue Apple Restaurant & Bar
• Amavi by Sumera

Places To Stay Near Mae De Deus Church

• Shanti Morada
• HOTEL 69
• OYO 7206 Goa Holiday Guest House
• OYO 41360 Field View Studios Saligao
• Flowers Guest House
• Treebo Trend Dona Eliza – Hotel in Goa
• Capital O 8044 Hotel 69
• FabHotel De Alcazar

Other Popular Churches in Goa

Here are the best Churches in Goa that you can explore after your visit to Mae De Deus Church. While some churches are known for their history, others for their altar. Whatever church you choose, be sure to make the most of your tourism.

Other Churches in Goa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get my child baptism done at Mae de Deus Church?

A: For the first child (or if the couple has never participated in a pre-baptism), the couple can go pre-baptism (second and fourth Sundays of every month). It is necessary for every couple to take a course.

Q: Is Goa a tourist-friendly city?

A: Goa tops the Indian Tourism chart as it is one of the most-visited cities by tourists.

Q: How far is Aguada Beach from the Church of Mai de Deus?

A: Baga Beach is located at a distance of about 8.2 km from the Church of Mai de Deuce. It takes about 21 minutes to reach Aguada Beach from the church.

Q: Why is Mae de Deus Church known as a popular destination to visit in India?

A: Mae de Deus Church represents a unique architecture like a fairy-tale castle and the natural beauty of its surroundings provides a pleasant and peaceful environment that attracts many tourists every year.

Q: What are the guidelines and times for getting married at Mae de Deus Church?

A: Important information for those who want to get married:

It is necessary to check the availability of the church for the wedding
Attend a marriage preparation course 6 months before the wedding
Do contact any priest 6 months before the wedding for necessary documentation

Marriage is not allowed on the following days:
Ash Wednesday, Monday or Thursday
Good Friday
Holy Saturday
Easter Sunday
Season of Advent
Sundays of Lent

Q: What is the important time of Holy Communion for the sick and the elderly?

A: You can visit the church of Mae De Deus:

first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
after every first Friday of the month
third Sunday after the first Mass.