Ranging from the small chapels to the massive cathedrals, the religious heritage of Portugal tells the story of an art and architecture which clearly shows the influence of the Christian reconquest movements, the strengthening of the monastic religious orders besides the struggle by the military orders to re-define their frontiers and fortification of the nobility and the royalty.
Early next morning, I left for Fatima (known worldwide for the Marian Apparitions seen by three young shepherds), a 125 kilometre drive from the capital city of Lisbon.
The long drive on the countryside road network was exhilarating and exciting what with the scenic splendour of the rich coniferous forests amidst the glistening Atlantic Ocean very eye catching.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima ( Nossa Senhora do Rosário da Fátima) is one of most famous Marian shrines in the world.
Many people visit each year, drawn by the apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported by three local shepherd children in 1917.
The primary building at the shrine is the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima, a gleaming Neoclassical church built in 1928 and consecrated on October 7, 1953.
Its slender central spire rises 65 meters high and is a magnificent sight.
The church is flanked by monumental colonnades and overlooks a large open plaza, the centre of which is occupied by a Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1932).
The monument stands over a spring that was discovered there and was, according to the local people, "the instrument of many graces.”
My friend and interpreter Rashmi, a Portuguese- Indian made me light a candle at the basilica as she was adamant that without performing this ritual, I should not leave this holy place.
According to her, a person is blessed and one's wishes are fulfilled by visiting this place.
In fact, while returning from Fatima, we met with a serious accident colliding head on with tourist cab but came out with only minor injuries which Rashmi attributed to the blessings of Our Lady of Fatima.
Apart from the neo-classicism, the magnificence of the Basilica of Fatima almost vanishes next to the modest apparition chapel, a place of faith where so many people meet for prayers.
On the occasion of the big religious festivals, this meeting of peoples almost transforms small churches into enormous cathedrals.
"The patron saint and the renowned hospitality of any passerby will watch over you during your visit," said Rashmi.
When one is visiting the Basilica, guards at the entry doors may tend to stop visitors who are not suitably dressed, which means general modesty, no shorts for men, and skirts or dresses on women.
Inside, there are 15 altars dedicated to the 15 mysteries of the rosary as well as the tombs of the young visionaries, Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto, who died in 1919 and 1920 and were beatified in 2000.
Pilgrims arrive in Fatima throughout the year, but especially in the summer and on the feasting days of May 13 and October 13.
In the months of May and October, crowds of pilgrims (as many as 75,000) throng the small town in cars, on bicycles, in donkey carts, or on foot.
Many devout Christians approach the shrine on their knees in penance.
Once in Fatima, they camp out and wait for dawn.
On the 13th day, pilgrims wave out their handkerchiefs in reverence and homage as a statue of Our Lady of Fatima passes through the central square for nearly three hours in the morning.
There are also large torchlight processions held in the evenings.
Pilgrims on way to Fatima also make it a point to visit the Chapel of Apparitions, an open-air chapel built on the site of the appearances.
It is open throughout the year for regular services and can be virtually visited by a highresolution webcam.
The original chapel was built in 1919, then blown up on the night of March 6, 1922, by those who suspected the church of staging the miracles.
The present day modern chapel is a single white column over the site of a small oak tree over which Virgin Mary reportedly appeared on May 13, 1917.
But this oak tree has fallen a victim to souvenir collectors long ago and therefore, now a large replacement tree is in place, that grows near the entrance to the sanctuary by the rectory.
Fatima considered as one of the holiest places by Christians only next to Vatican is visited by millions of devotees every year.
Even before the entry point to the Holy Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, one can see hundreds of pilgrims pay their obeisance and devotion.
Fatima witnesses more than three to four million pilgrims from all over the world every year.
The economy of this picturesque town completely relies on religious tourism attracting Christian pilgrimages with many localities of Fátima having a considerable number of shops and stalls devoted to the sale of religious articles and souvenirs.
In addition to this, as one goes around the small town, one can see other economic activities in the region including marble sculptures sculpting exquisite images of Mary and the shepherds and people offering all kinds of hospitality services.
