ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the vision at Velim in the context of Goan society and religion. It argues that such events are very relevant to two processes taking place in India as well as in other parts of the world. Miracles are part of the “discourse of identity,” a demand for recognition by low caste, low status Goans. Western society tends to view both miracles and visions with a great deal of scepticism. The study of miracles is not only to do with miraculous events but is more concerned with how people react to them and what miracles create in the way of social and political outcomes. Visions, which include the apparition of central religious figures, are related to miracles. Visions, which include the apparition of central religious figures, are related to miracles. The smallest Indian state, Goa is a former Portuguese enclave on the west coast of India about 300 kilometers south Of Bombay.
