Goa, Jan. 30 -- As dusk falls across Goa, the sunset sky offers a picturesque background across the landscape. As darkness settles, the streets along Arrum waddo, Dandora, on the border of Cuncolim and Assolna villages, light up for the annual devotion of the portrait image of Our Lady of Good Health, considered miraculous by those who seek her favour. The frame of Our Lady is brought out for public kissing once a year on January 23, a day that coincides with the Maddi at the parish church. Locals refer to the devotion as fama or Maddi, and the popularity gained traction in recent years despite no publicity. Even Google yields no results on the famed observance.

This year, more than a thousand stood in long-winding queues to touch the re...