FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS
Centre Of Celebration: The Church Of Our Lady Of The Mount
Also Known As: Festa Dos Reis Or The Epiphany Day
Celebrated On: 6th January
Perched high on a hill in Quelim, Salcete, stands the tiny
centuries-old stone chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios or Our Lady of
Cures. The incomparably beautiful statue of the Madonna is seen holding
the Child Jesus in open arm and a small vase in the other, which has in it
the panacea for all ills.
A Festivity For Both Christians And Hindus
The
Lady of the Mount is famous for her wondrous protection and miracles and
is also reputed to be the giver of children to sterile mothers. On the day
of the festivity She is covered with jewellery as tokens of gratitude by
Catholics and Hindus alike for favors and blessings received. The chapel
as well as the image are very ancient and are steeped in historical
associations, traditions, and legends.
Every year thousands of devotees congregate at the stone chapel of Nossa
Senhora dos Reis to offer prayers of thanksgiving to Our Lady of
Immaculate Conception - a lighthouse of faith and courage to its people.
High mass is offered on the day of Epiphany and it is a time to rejoice
and partying.
History
Some say the Jesuits built this place of worship during the religious
persecution that raged Goa during the time of the Marques de Pombal. This
fact seems to be borne out by the subterranean passage found in the chapel
that terminates about a mile away in a huge boulder with six secret
openings through which, it is believed, that the faithful entered. These
caves were later used by tigers and panthers as lairs.
Legend
According to a legend another boulder on a nearby hill is clearly stamped
with two baby footprints and those of an adult, together with a trough
carved out of the rock which, marks the spot where the Virgin rested with
the Infant while the horse that brought them quenched its thirst, before
proceeding to Hill of Remedies where she chose to remain.
However, some historians state that the site now occupied by the Chapel
of Remedios was once the site of a Hindu temple. Perhaps that's the reason
why a large number of Hindu devotees make the yearly pilgrimage to the
Mount to worship the Madonna, bringing with them offerings of flowers,
incense, and candles.
The Hill of Remedios is situated at such a dizzy height that one can
practically see the whole of Goa nestling around in a panoramic picture at
its feet. The chapel itself is the Goan mariner's lighthouse of faith,
hope and courage.
Surrounded by the curious curves and shapes of maiden mountains, by
waving and whispering palms, the softness of golden sands, the endless
changing moods of sea and sky, and the bewitching magic of the chaste sun
and moon, this sanctuary is truly the realm of mystic beauty, the Abode of
the Gods, and one of perfect peace. One seems nearer to Heaven in this
hallowed spot, and the sublime and child-like faith in the Lady of Cures
by her ardent devotees makes you leave the hill richer in mind and spirit.
The Festivities
It is on the Festa dos Reis or the Epiphany on January 6 that the
isolated Hill of Remedios and chapel suddenly spring to life and activity.
After staying almost whole year in isolation, just nine days before the
Feast of the Novena starts, the hill revives and resounds to human voices
and feet. Come early dawn, kettledrums and the blare of trumpets, announce
to the sleepy little neighboring villages that the day of rejoicing and
festivity has arrived.
The tolling bells call the faithful to prayer and devotees visit the
shrine in a non-stop stream. There's now an excellent road winding its way
up the steep hill right to the door of the chapel, making the ascent
possible by car. Still, most of the devotees prefer to climb up hill. Even
the very old and infirm make their way up for nine consecutive days to
hear Mass and recite the Rosary before the Lady of the Blue Mantle. Many
come to offer their thanks for fulfilling their wishes. The devotees are
always lead by a drummer-boy with his kettledrum who, by the loud beat of
his drum, announces of another favor having being granted by the Lady of
Remedios.
The Three Kings
The dramatic climax is reached on January 6, the day of the Feast of the
Magi, when three little boys ranging in years from 8 to 10 are selected as
kings from the three neighboring villages of Quelim, Cansaulim and Arrosim
to bring their gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to the Child-God.
Throughout the year expectations and excitement run high as to who will be
the fortunate ones chosen as it must be either a son or grandson from
these three villages; no outsider can claim this privilege or honor.
To be a king, if only for a day is no joke, so the young monarchs take
meticulous care to groom themselves for the exacting role. Meanwhile, on
the Mount, the crowds gather from all parts of Goa to attend the Mass and
get a glimpse of the three kings. An extensive fair also springs up
covering the entire hilltop. One can buy anything from a meal to copper
and brassware, furniture, clothes, toys, trinkets, sweetmeats, glass
bangles and spices of all sorts.
The Ceremony
The surging and trampling devotees congregate on the hill's edge to watch
the three kings from three different routes make their appearance. Mounted
on white horses, they make their way up, outfitted in their royal garments
elaborately embroidered in gold and silver, a crown studded with
glittering stones on their heads, and a whole procession of relatives,
friends, retinues bringing up the rear.
Each procession is preceded by a brass band played as loud music and
bursting of crackers all the way up. The crowd in a frenzy of enthusiasm
hails the Magi with a deafening ovation. The kings dismount from their
white steeds, and are solemnly led to the special seats of honor reserved
for them to assist at the High Mass.
After the service, they are led down with the same traditional ceremony
with which they were brought up the hill. The whole picturesque scene is a
color-drenched dream of ancient pomp, pageantry and glory.
A Belief
A curious feature of the festival on the Mount is that after midday, one
will not find a single soul anywhere near by. The staggering and swelling
crowds disappear as mysteriously as the huge giant fair, within a few
hours, while the flags, buntings and other fanciful decorations are all
removed.
Since no priest consents to reside in the parochial house, the chapel is
closed till the next annual feast. During the year should any devotee
wants a mass of thanksgiving to be said at the shrine, he goes up with the
priest. The reason for this fear of the Mount is the belief that the place
is haunted by Shivaji and his army who after dusk make their appearance
with flares that light up the whole countryside around, which echoes to
their marching feet.
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