Visit to 3 Kings Church Goa
I visited 3 Kings’ Church Goa in August 2014 for the first time. This quaint church is on top of the hill overlooking Casaulim town and Arossim Beach shoreline.
It was not a self driven trip but one that I had taken services of a tourist taxi to tour south Goa. I wasn’t aware of this place and it wasn’t in my list of must see place. The taxi driver insisted that I visit the place, also mentioning the names of movies that were shot in this 3 Kings’ Church.
Of them the famous and most recent one was Bhoothnath, where Shahrukh Khan was talking to Amitabh Bachhan’s (the ghost’s) son, trying to convince him to do the last rites for his father. That got us interested.
Visit to 3 Kings Church Goa
We immediately agreed and the first spot that we visited that morning was this church. 3 Kings Church Goa is in the top of a hill called Cuelim. Who knew it was haunted! Alighting there, I felt quite strange that there was not a single human being around, not even stray dogs.
How could this be a tourist place I wondered! Anyways, we walked around, tried to peep in through the slits of doors and windows. In fact I didn’t find a single person around 1km dia. around the place.
All the while I kept thinking I have to google and find out more about this church and why it was kind of abandoned.
3 Kings Church Goa Story
Is the three kings church really haunted? To my shock and surprise I discovered on net that this church is haunted. 3 Kings Church is listed in haunted destinations of Goa. The Three Kings Chapel in Goa has for ages have been popular for being one of the most haunted spots in Goa and India too.
The history of 3 Kings Church Goa is very interesting. The story is about three kings from Portugal who always kept fight fighting with each other as to who would rule the place. One of the kings (King Holger Alvunger) called the other two kings for a meeting and poisoned them in this place. Later he too committed suicide. There have been reports of sightings and general unrest but no proof. None has been harmed yet.
This church was was built here in 1599, that makes it older than Taj Mahal!
Lonely and abandoned
Now when I think of my visit there I remember clearly the driver didn’t enter the church premises and on our return he had asked us how we found the place.
I wonder did he know about the haunting stories of the place. Did he actually want to check if we had any sightings there?
The view from here is amazing and if you aren’t scared yet then visit in the evenings for a stunning sunset view.
Festival at 3 Kings’ Church
You can even time your visit around 6th of January. There is a grand festival during which three little boys ranging in years from 8 to 10 are selected as kings from the three neighboring villages of Quelim, Cansaulim and Arrosim.
They bring their gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to the Child-God. There is lot of expectations and excitement among the villager as to who would be chosen for these three roles. He must be either a son or grandson from these three villages; no outsider can claim this privilege or honor.
Everybody aspires to be a king even if it is for one day! So the young boys take meticulous care to groom themselves for the role. Huge crowds gather on this hill from all parts of Goa to attend the Mass and get a glimpse of the three kings.
Location of 3 Kings’ Church, Goa
3 Kings Church is located in a village called Cansaulim, near Velsao in south Goa. Time to tour the church and its surroundings is half an hour. The views from the church lawns are breath-taking! One can see 360 degree view of south Goa from here. It’s quite a hike, if you walk it be sure to take water. The road to the hill is tarred with proper signboards.
Entrance ticket costs for 3 Kings Church – It is a free sight. No tickets required.
3 Kings’ Church Timings – Post sunset visitors are not allowed on the church grounds. The doors of the church is always closed except for one day in the month for conducting service.
Caution: Don’t mock people’s belief, the existence of the Kings and the story unless you want to experience paranormal activities there!
Other Haunted places I have visited: Brij Raj Bhavan in Kota, Rajasthan, Kati Ghati in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh
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(This was first posted on Nov 24, 2014.)
Not a single soul within a 1 km radius of the church? I would be so spooked I wouldn’t even leave the car!
Wow, thanks for sharing this – we didnt know about this offbeat place! Will definitely consider visiting here once the lockdown eases.
Happy Mother’s Day. Hoped you had a great one.
I’m a scare-dy cat so this might be a “maybe” for me if I’m in the area.
I love your stories! The haunted three kings church sounds fascinating, though I’d personally love to be there around 6th January to see the three little boys doing their role play
Interesting that the driver insisted you visit this tourist attraction with no tourists and did not mention the church being haunted, I’m sure he knew! It always amazes me how our bodies know when something is off, glad you looked it up on the internet and have a story to tell
another discovery! A beauty
Pretty looking Church, is this the one in which a lot of movies have been shot?
Never heard of this place Indrani but it definitely is interesting
Interesting
wanna go to this place ….. lovely photos..:)
pictures are just glorious
Thanks for the comments friends.
Hi Prasad, I did not feel any chill at that place, but definitely felt a little weird as it really looked and felt abandoned kind of place and not at all like a tourist spot.
Oh yes Mridula, I wish to visit again but definitely in broad daylight. 🙂
What an interesting story Indrani! And the view indeed is fabulous. Now that you know would you go there again?
Beautiful pictures.
Awesome pictures..old architecture brings the past in front of us..!
Very interesting story, never heard of this place in so many visits to Goa….did you feel some chill ?
Nicely shared, Indrani.
Great pics too.
Visited Goa thrice, but didn't know of this 🙂
What an interesting place. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome Pics with Interesting history. Thanks Indrani for sharing this. 🙂
This is interesting. Nice to know about this church. Thanks, Indrani.
The church does have an interesting story. It is a beautiful church! Thanks for sharing, have a happy week!
Fascinating story and lovely church!
I love the red shudders, or are they awnings. It doesn't look haunted.
what an interesting story and place.
So beautiful place , Great photos
I would definitely visit.
Fascinating place and great lore indeed! I would love to visit there!! Hope you have a wonderful new week, Indrani!!
what a neat looking place and great lore associated with it. i like the '3 kings' custom, too.
A peaceful location and fabulous overlook! I love to visit this place despite whatever said to scare as I don’t believe such things. Good to know the festival they celebrated marking 3 kings
Thats it…… will be visiting this place (church?) on my next visit to Goa.