Thousands of Catholic pilgrims are converging on Goa in west India to see the relics of Saint Francis Xavier.
The remains of the 16th Century Spanish missionary are usually kept in a casket at the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Once every 10 years they are put on public display, and on Saturday the casket was brought out in procession and taken to the nearby Se Cathedral.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel to Goa to see the relics in the coming weeks.
After a celebratory Mass on Saturday led by Indian archbishops, thousands lined up to kiss the relics as the procession began amid tight security.
One of the first Jesuit missionaries, Francis Xavier worked extensively in Asia, especially within the Portuguese empire of the time, and was canonized 70 years after his death, in 1622.
The relics will be on display in the former Portuguese colony until 4 January.
The casket was carried through the streets of Goa from the Basilica of Bom Jesus to the Se Cathedral
Those gathering to see the relics included tourists from as far away as Russia and the United States.
