Just minute or two walk from Bom Jesus Church lies The Chapel of Our Lady of Rosario. Our first thought seeing it from outside was "Oh! just another church." With chapped up outside walls it looked very ordinary. But we were in for a surprise and what a pleasant surprise it was. The striking wood carvings are detailed to the perfection. On the lateral wall of apse the tales of Christian saints are illustrated. Our knowledge of Christianity and its saints is very minimal. Hence couldn't identify any of the figures. It is said "the ceiling is decorated with multicolored rose petals and cherubic golden angels. The alter of the chapel is perhaps the most ornately carved and gilded example among all the Portuguese churches in India."
Portuguese were successful in warding off Maratha King Shivaji's attack. Their belief was that they could achieve this because of the blessings of Lady Rosario. So as an expression of gratitude towards Lady the chapel was built in 17th century A.D. Even after 300 years and odd the magnificent art work looks new and opulent.
Once in Moti Daman all the churches are in and around in walkable distance. A walk through the colonial buildings, appreciating Portuguese architecture took us back to the provincial time. Happiness is visiting new places, trying to visualize the lives of past, and weaving stories of our own.
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