They Warned Us to Stay Away… The Banyan That Holds a Haunting Secret!

Do you dare uncover Saligao’s most chilling mystery?

Nestled in North Goa, Saligao is a charming village known for its serene beauty.

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In 1952, during the construction of the Saligao-Pilerne Seminary, whispers surrounded an ancient banyan tree.

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One night, Padre Inácio Lourenço Pereira, a Portuguese missionary, went for his usual evening walk. Hours passed… but he never returned.

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After a chaotic search, the priest was found unconscious near the tree, face down in the mud. He remained semi-conscious for days.

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When he finally spoke, it wasn’t his voice—but that of a woman speaking fluent Konkani, a language he barely knew.

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The priest was sent back to Portugal, never to return. Locals believe he had been possessed by the spirit guarding the banyan tree.

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Even today, the tree stands tall, wrapped in legend. Hindus worship it, offering prayers to the spirit they call Ximecho Devchar.

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Whether fact or folklore, Saligao’s haunted banyan tree remains one of Goa’s most spine-chilling mysteries.

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Have questions on how to explore Goa in the best possible way?

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