Religious Places in Diu
St Paul’s Church in Diu
This 400 year old church is dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate
Conception. It is known to be the only active church in Diu till date.
It bears a close similarity to the Bom Jesus Church in Goa. Built in
Gothic architectural style, its splendid wooden carvings and shell like
motifs make it one of the most exquisite Portuguese churches in India.
The intricate wood panelling provides a visual treat to its visitors.
The altar with an image of St Mary carved out of Burmese teak and lit up
with 101 candles is a sight to behold.
The Feast of the Eleven Thousand Virgins and the conversion of St Paul are grand celebrations, taking place in the church with active participation of people of all communities. At night, this church is illuminated by lights of different colours and provides a picturesque view. This church is easily accessible and can be reached via auto rickshaws, taxis and private vehicles.
St Thomas Church in Diu
This marvellous white structure is known for its sublime art and beautiful architecture. Being easily accessible, this place has been converted into a museum by the government authorities. It mainly houses exquisite wood carvings and Catholic statues, gathered from the abandoned churches in Diu. Various other artifacts found here include stone idols, antic statues, inscriptions, shadow clocks and other excavations. In the evening multi coloured fountains and special lighting effects add to the charm of this place. It can be visited throughout the week from 8 am to 6 pm.
Gangeshwar Temple in Diu
This beautiful cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, a powerful Hindu
God. A special highlight of this temple is a beautiful idol of Lord
Shiva and five Shiva Lingas, nestled among the rocks, on the sea shores.
The idols, being washed by the sea waves, lapping back and forth is a
remarkable sight. It is believed that the lingas were placed there by
the Pandavas, during their exile from Hastinapur. During the high tide,
only the tip of the Shivalngas are visible, with the rest submerged
under the water. The calmness and tranquility experienced in this
temple is unparalleled.
Listening to the lapping of the sea waves and the chirping of the birds is a heavenly experience. There is a mystic aura surrounding the temple and you can almost feel the positive energy waves radiated from this place. Sitting and watching the sea waves itself is a blissful experience. Thus besides experiencing nature at its best one can also get to know about the significance of this temple through interesting stories of its past. Located in Fudam village about 3 kilometres from Diu auto rickshaws and public transport facilities can be availed to reach this temple.