Mandovi Memorial Cross

Along the walkway at Panaji Promenade stands a cross on the riverbank. The cross is atop a pedestal with an inscription plaque and is known as The Mandovi Memorial Cross.

On December 3, 1901, a ferry crossing the Mandovi River from Verem to Panaji capsized and sank. It was carrying around 160 passengers— half were reported missing after the incident. The rescue operation was led by the city police chief Manuel Pedro Rodrigues and lasted four days, with help from sailors and crews using various boats and ships. Later, a report attributed the tragedy to the fact that the ferry had been filled beyond capacity.

In 1904, a memorial was constructed by the Goan diaspora of Aden, on the Mandovi riverbank in memory of the 81 victims of the tragedy. The memorial requests all who pass by this spot to pray for the victims’ eternal rest.