Navelim, Nov. 9 -- Hundreds of devotees gathered in the early hours of Monday, November 9, to participate in the century-old religious tradition honouring Mother Mary at Telaulim, Navelim.

The annual candlelight procession, one of Goa's enduring expressions of Marian devotion, commenced at Telaulim and proceeded towards the Our Lady of Rosary Church in Navelim, where the first Novena Mass was celebrated.

The tradition, which dates back nearly a century, has witnessed a remarkable evolution over the years. Initially, the procession featured the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which had arrived from Portugal. However, in 1949, it was decided to replace the statue with Our Lady of Fatima, which has since remained an integral part of th...