Within the quaint Saligao Village in Goa, there’s a Banyan Tree by the street. In accordance with legend, the tree is haunted by the ghost of Cristalina, ready for these passing by to own.
One Sunday morning in January in 1953, the villagers of Saligao in Goa, India, sat ready on the priest main the mass.
The missionary Padre Inácio Lourenço Pereira had come to this quaint little village from Portugal in 1951 to be the supervisor when the Saligao-Pilerne Seminary went underneath building in 1952. The Saligao village is round 15 kilometers outdoors of Panaji recognized for its lovely church buildings.
Learn extra: Take a look at all ghost tales from India
Pereira was no less than stated to have gone lacking underneath mysterious circumstances on a Saturday night time in January, 1953 when he went for a stroll down the Seminary street that took him previous the banyan tree at night time.
This specific banyan tree in Saligao Village with its deep roots casting lengthy shadows was recognized to be haunted although, by a girl named Cristalina, and averted by the locals. However did Pereira know this as he used to stroll previous it to get to church?
He didn’t return that night time and didn’t present up for mass the subsequent morning. When Pereira was ultimately discovered by some staff the subsequent morning, it was underneath this banyan tree the place he lay unconscious. When his serving to hand, Frank and the opposite staff that regarded for him discovered him, he laid flat on the bottom, his face buried within the mud.
Pereira was in a state of shock when he lastly awoke, lined in scratches and wounds, unable to recall the complete particulars of his ordeal.
The locals of Saligao Village took him to a health care provider, or no less than his home, however he didn’t communicate for 4 days. They even introduced a priest to care for him and Frank and the opposite staff hooked up a cross in one of many Banyan Timber branches.
When he first began to talk, it was stated it was in a feminine voice and in Konkani, one of many Indian languages spoken alongside the western coast of India. One of many issues he repeated again and again, was the identify, Cristalina.
After the entire ordeal he was admitted to a hospital after which despatched again to Leiria in Portugal in 1953. He by no means returned to Saligao Village or Goa, however his legend definitely remained there.
Cristalina Haunting the Banyan Tree
For over sixty years, her spectral presence has been related to a specific banyan tree within the Saligao Village. It’s stated that also to at the present time, persons are avoiding strolling previous this tree after darkish, as it’s stated that Cristalina can possess you, as she as soon as did.
From testimonies from locals, it seems just like the banyan tree was already rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Cristalina earlier than the possession of the priest. However how a lot of it really occurred, and the way a lot of it was gossip and worry mongering from the locals?
Who really was Cristalina? One of the crucial advised variations of the Banyan tree is that she hanged herself from it. However no additional particulars about who she is perhaps has been discovered.
Additional Haunting of Cristalina’s Banyan Tree
It was particularly when the horizontal a part of the cross went lacking from the branches within the tree that the legend resurfaced and breathed new wind into it as one thing greater than a one time haunting. Ever since then it has change into an area legend in Saligao Village.
There have additionally been talks concerning the tree glowing in the dead of night, and the tree itself has been the case of scientific research. What actually occurred to it? In accordance with the students, they claimed the lights had been from carts of petromax lights that had been parked close to the tree.
Banyan Tree and why they’re Haunted
However what concerning the tree present in Saligao Village? How come so many ghost tales are linked to the majestic wanting Banyan Timber in addition to Peepal Timber in India?
For one, they’ve religious reference to mythology, each Hindu and Buddhist, and are seen as kind of divine locations. There are additionally many legends hooked up to the outdated timber with its twisting branches, typically present in secluded areas
One in style legend is that you’re not supposed to sit down underneath one in every of these timber at night time as a result of ghosts and different supernatural issues dwell there.
Learn Additionally: Take a look at Ghostly Shadows by Dwarka Sector 9 Metro Station and the Haunted Peepal Tree for extra haunted timber.
It is usually price noting the scientific purpose for the religious issues which can be stated to occur when staying at one in every of these timber at night time and that it may be defined by easy biology. Through the day the tree absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen due to the solar. Throughout night time nevertheless, it releases the carbon dioxide that lowers the degrees of oxygen human must breathe.
This course of can really feel suffocating, result in hallucinations, and in worst case eventualities, even demise. May this be the rationale why there are such a lot of tales linked to seeing ghosts, listening to voices and even reaching some kind of enlightenment? May this have a connection to what occurred to Padre Inácio Lourenço Pereira?
The Haunted Saligao Village
The eerie tales of Saligao Village have made it a focal point for paranormal lovers and curious vacationers. Regardless of the fearsome tales, the Saligao Village stays an attractive instance of Goan heritage, with its well-preserved church buildings and conventional homes.

Guests to Saligao typically report unusual occurrences close to the banyan tree. Some have felt an inexplicable chill within the air, whereas others have heard whispers and seen fleeting shadows.
The locals working towards each numerous Hindi and Christian rituals have tried to appease the ghost of Cristalina by having constructed a small altar the place they provide items to her. In accordance with the Hindu villagers dwelling near this haunted tree, they name the spirit, Ximecho Devchar or Boundary Satan.
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References:
[Goanet] The ‘haunting’ of Padre Lourenço
https://creepysilencefy.blogspot.com/2017/01/old-saligao-village.html
Saligao christalina Tree – Spooky Goa