Fatima Shrine at BONDORIM Sirlim Dramapur The supreme court has ordered demolition of all illegal monuments, religious structures on road sides hampering smooth flow of traffic,They may be encroachments in Govt land or private properties Some may be relocated The above shrine is in eminent danger, facing the axe ,Such religious obstructions are surveyed and cataloged for further action under the direction of S.C. order The present Govt. is no way responsible for this pending action THE SHRINE DEDICATED TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA, MAY BE DESTROYED/ RELOCATED, BUT THE FAITH OF DEVOTEES IS UNASSAILABLE, BUILT AS IT IS ON TRUST AND FIRM BELIEF OVER THE YEARS Practically every day, a large number of grateful devotees throng the area, even on foot offering flowers, litanies and candles in gratitude for the favours received.Faithful bow in obedience and reverence as they cross the site and vehicles halt to pay their homage The place bursts into festivitieses and celebrations on 13 October and 13 May every year The shrine and the surroundings have been tastefully conceived and executed There is no denying that the shrine is pilgrimage centre, attributed with healing and miraculous cures HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was on a visit to Goa from Portugal for 3 days, one day each in the jurisdiction of Municipalities of Panjim, Margao, Mapusa. Dr Alvaro de Loyola Furtado was then the President of MargaoMunicipality Corporation, deviated and made special arrangement for adoration at Chinchinim Church The pilgrim statue was to return next morning by 8 .A.M. The vehicle carrying the statue broke down at Bondorim, for 3 hrs till 12 midnight. A huge crowd in the locality took the opportunity to venerate the statue of O.L.Fatima believing it to be Divine providence The statue finally reached Chinchinim and there were massive crowds of the faithful waiting to receive .O.L.Fatima and pay their obeisance for the whole night The elders of the village of Bondorim in commemoration of this incident believed it to be the act of Divine providence and erected the shrine at the present site. The statue was vandalised by some miscreants and an accident damaged the pilar The victim was miraculously saved with the occupants and in grateful obedience of thanks giving repaired it Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
