Brief History of Three Kings Chapel

Originally known as Our Lady of Remedios Chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies (Nossa Senhora dos Remedios) was founded by Father Gonçalo Carvalho in 1599. The Three Kings Chapel also known as the Three Kings Church is affiliated to the parish of St. Thomas Church, Cansaulim. However it has been popularized by the name derived from the three wise men of the Bible, also called the Three Kings, who visited Jesus at his birth.

Every year, on January 6, the Three Kings Fest is celebrated in the village of Cansaulim where children dressed as kings are taken up the hill in a grand and joyous procession. The Fest Market is filled with sweets, local delicacies and other tempting knick-knacks! There is no time to get bored at the fair and you find yourself losing track of time in the chaos! Yet, at exactly 6 pm, everyone closes shop and leaves.

The picture shows the haunted walk at the Church of the Three Kings in Cansaulim village

The Feast of the Three Kings by Daniel D’Souza

The Haunted Chapel of the Three Kings or Stories of the Church of the Three Kings

We wondered if it is not only to avoid descending the slopes of Cansaulim in the dark that the villagers decide to leave before sunset. There are not too many street lights on the road going down either.

McEugen Pinto, a resident of Cansaulim, doesn’t think the Chapel of the Three Kings is haunted. “I have been up the hill many late nights with my friends. It has been absolutely fine, and the scariest thing is probably the quietness of the place.”

According to the internet there are many reasons why they say it is one of the most haunted places in Goa. Here are some of the stories that are popular-

The picture shows a view of Cansaulim village, where the Church of the Three Kings is haunted

The Three Kings Chapel view from PC WisePiertree

The Ghost Procession at the Three Kings Chapel

A rumour that someone saw the Three Kings roaming around the Three Kings Chapel premises spread like wildfire. These three kings were not the same three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

They were three Portuguese kings who hailed from Cansaulim and had equal power over several villages. Yet, as the story goes, one of them wanted more. (A different version of the story says that there was a fourth king who was sidelined and, therefore, was looking for a way to earn more wealth.) So he decided to poison the other two, declaring himself the sole ruler of this land.

As history goes, perhaps out of shame and guilt or perhaps out of fear of angry villagers, this king also ate the same poisoned food. The villagers buried the bodies of these three kings in the grounds of the Three Kings Church. This is why it is believed that their ghosts wander around after dusk.

The picture shows the Three Kings Feast in Cansaulim, with the Three Kings Church haunted

The Three Kings Feast Market created by Ish Kakodkar

Why? you may ask.

It is believed that the ghosts of these kings climb the hill with their own procession. They have their own entourage with them and it is believed that they do not want to be disturbed.

Vrinda Vaz, a resident of Cansaulim, says she has heard this story too. “I don’t think it is true. The Three Kings Chapel or Three Kings Church is so isolated that murders have taken place there. Maybe the elders started spreading these stories to keep people away from there and keep them safe at night. A lot of lovers also go there. Maybe the villagers also want to keep them away.”

The Lost Priest

After the story told above, there is another story, which is of a priest. Inside the Three Kings Chapel, there is a cave that leads to some unknown place. It is believed that once a priest went for a walk with his dog, carrying a kerosene lamp. He never returned. One version of this story states that the dog returned without the owner. The cave was closed to prevent any more such mishaps.

The story of caves and missing priests is very common in many caves in Goa and may or may not be true.

Tossing Coins

During the period of no electricity, in the pitch dark, villagers would see lights climbing up the hill. This was strange as it was unusual for villagers to climb the hill at such odd hours. Most of the villagers feared that it must be some kind of supernatural activity, until one day the mystery was unraveled.

It was revealed that some youngsters would wrap themselves in blankets and go out in search of coins, which gave them a very mysterious look. These coins are said to be from the procession of the feast of the Three Kings, where people would shower their companions with gifts, leaving some coins behind.

The picture shows the haunted walk to the Church of the Three Kings in Cansaulim village

Walking tour of Cansaulim, Goa with Soul Traveling

Another resident, Savio Barreto, admitted that he has never personally witnessed such a sighting

### Three Kings Church, Goa: An Enigmatic Magnet on a Tropical Paradise

Rising high on a hilltop in Cansaulim, Goa Three Kings Church is associated with a interesting and scenic view along with an eerie atmosphere. Like the church, this area is surrounded with local myths which is the reason for many visitors who seek the paranormal. It was constructed in the 1500s by the Portuguese, its calmness belies its discomforting ghost tales.

#### The Legend of the Three Kings

Most of the haunting narratives of the church stems from the betrayal story. It is believed that tragedy, death and suffering came to the three kings of this land due their rivalry. Other local and foreigners alike experience some weird happenings such as the sound of shoes walking over hard surface without anyone being in the vicinity or being chilled inexplicably whilst in the compound of the church.

#### Conclusion

The Three Kings Church is open in the during the day as well as visitors can enjoy the Church altar with great panoramic views of Goa. Anxious visitors in particular will not be disappointed visiting this eerie place as it is filled with a lot of interesting history, beauty and the superstitious aspects that surrounds it.

Three Kings Church,Goa