About Holy Cross Shrine
Holy Cross Shrine, located in Bambolim, Goa, is a prominent Catholic pilgrimage site centered around the historic Fulancho Khuris or Miraculous Cross. Originally a simple roadside cross dating back centuries, it evolved into a formal shrine inaugurated in 1996 after being associated with miraculous healings since the 1940s. Situated along NH66, the shrine features a distinctive two-tier church designed by architect Ralino de Souza and serves as a Eucharistic Centre with daily adoration. It attracts devotees of all faiths seeking blessings and is especially significant for travelers passing between North and South Goa.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a serene religious environment centered on the venerated Miraculous Cross, which is perpetually adorned with marigold garlands offered by devotees. The site includes the Holy Cross Church with its unique two-tier interior design allowing clear altar views from all levels. Daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration are held regularly, creating an active atmosphere of worship. Located directly adjacent to NH66, the shrine is easily accessible for brief stops or extended prayer, and visitors often observe locals and travelers pausing to offer prayers or sound horns in reverence.
Key highlights
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Venerated Miraculous Cross (Fulancho Khuris) perpetually covered in floral garlands
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Eucharistic Centre with daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
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Distinctive two-tier church architecture designed by Ralino de Souza
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Historic origins tracing back to a simple roadside cross upgraded over centuries
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Annual feast celebrated on the third Sunday of May
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Located directly on NH66 making it a landmark stop for travelers
History of Holy Cross Shrine
The site originated as a simple stone cross on the Bambolim plateau that was upgraded over time. In the 1940s, Santana Afonso of Siridao was reportedly cured of end-stage cancer after praying at the cross, leading to its reputation as miraculous. Military personnel stationed nearby in 1969 tiled the cross in white marble. The foundation stone for the current church was laid by Archbishop Raul Gonsalves on May 21, 1995, and the shrine was blessed and inaugurated in 1996.
Culture & Context
Known locally as Fulancho Khuris (Cross of Flowers), the shrine is a major interfaith pilgrimage destination where people of all religions offer prayers and garlands in gratitude or petition. It serves as a traditional stop for travelers journeying between North and South Goa, with many drivers sounding horns in reverence. The shrine is also frequented by relatives of patients at the nearby Goa Medical College seeking healing. Its annual feast on the third Sunday of May is a significant community celebration.