Regal Epiphany celebrations with the three kings in Cansaulim, South Goa

ETCHED IN TRADITION

On January 6, every year, the quaint village of Cansaulim comes to life as Goa's Catholic community gets together to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, also know as the feast of the Three Kings, with traditional pomp and fervour.

CHOOSING THE KINGS

The three 'kings', for the feast day, are selected from the native (gaonkar) families of these three villages -- Arossim, Cuelim and Cansaulim.

SPECIAL VISIT

Epiphany is celebrated on the 12th day after Christmas, and commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, in Israel.

CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

Being selected as one of the 'kings' at the feast in Cansaulim is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime honour, and celebrating this grand occasion requires months of planning by the families of the 'kings'.

A WALK IN TIME

The three young 'kings' travel along different routes to converge at the meeting point to attend the mass at the Our Lady of Remedios Chapel in Cuelim.

UNIQUE TRADITIONS

Once the kings arrive at the designated spots, their crowns are briefly placed on the heads of the devotees present, a longstanding tradition symbolising the blessing of the community.

JOURNEY OF FAITH

The three kings, on horseback and accompanied by the procession, ascend the Cuelim hillock to reach the Our Lady of Remedios Chapel, where mass is then celebrated. This year's mass took place at 10.30 am.

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