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Panjim Goa:
Goa is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India with beautiful beaches and historical sites. Goa is India's richest state with highest GDP per capita. The Indian epic Mahabharata refers to the Goa as Goparashtra or Govarashtra, which means ''a nation of Cowherds''.
Goa is a strip of land 110 km long and 60 km wide between the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea on the west coast of India. Panaji is the state's capital while Vasco Da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese. Goa has a long history of rulers dating back to the 3rd century BC. It was ruled by Emperor Ashoka followed by numerous rulers like Silharas, Kadamdas, Chalukyans, kings of Deccan, kings of Vijaynagar, Adilshah of Bijapur and finally by the Portuguese who were the most successful of them all. Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for 450 years till it was liberated from the Portuguese to form a part of India on 19th December 1961.
Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna owing to its location on the Western Ghats range which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot. Baga, Anjuna, Calangute, Vagator and Palolem are the some popular Goa beaches. Se Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Aguada Fort, Chapora Fort and Dudhsagar Falls are the other popular Goa tourist places.
Goa being in the tropical zone and near the Arabian Sea has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. Tourism is Goa's primary industry it handles 12% of all foreign tourist arrivals in India. Goa has two main tourist seasons winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the climate. In the summer time (which in Goa is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.
The festival of Shigmo Mel or the Holi, Goa carnival and Ganesh Chaturthi are the main festivals in Goa, India.
Calangute Beach:
At a distance of 14 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 10 km from Mapusa and 41 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station, Calangute Beach is the largest Beach in North Goa and one of the best tourist Places to visit in Goa. The beach is often represented in promotion of Goa Tourism. Calangute Beach is another popular attraction not to miss in a Goa tour packages.
Calangute is also called the 'Queen of beaches' in Goa and among the best beaches in Goa. As stories go on, hippies had discovered this beach during the 60's so is it famous since then. Calangute along with Candolim, Baga and Anjuna form part of stretch of beach extending from just outside Panaji city to Fort Aguada. Calangute Beach is a 4 mile long beach that lies between Baga and Candolim beach. It is also among the top beaches of Goa.
The beach is wide with soft sand but the sea is rough. Watching the sunset and sunrise at Calangute Beach is a mesmerizing experience. During the months from June-September visitors refrain from visiting the place due to rough sea and tides which make it dangerous to swim but locals believe that Calangute is at its best during the monsoon months.
Most suitable occasion to visit this beach is Christmas and New Year eves while it welcomes enough rush. It also witnesses large number of tourists representing many age groups visiting in the summers. They spend time here sunbathing so do they enjoy rejuvenating sea breezes in the Calangute Beach. So it is natural that it is overcrowded in both in peak and off seasons.
There are several beach restaurants and most of them have their own area with sun beds close to the shoreline. Unlike Baga which is popular with tourists who want to drink, dance and party, Calangute is more of a family destination. Nightlife in Calangute is tame, as night clubs and bars shut down at 10 pm.
The beach is popular among tourists due the availability of restaurants, clubs and shopping activities. Calangute is also famous for its water sport activities. One can experience Parasailing, water surfing, banana ride and jet-ski.
Baga Beach:
At a distance of 15 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus stand, Baga beach is located in North Goa. This beach is bordered by Calangute Beach to its south and Anjuna Beach to its north. Baga Beach starts right where Calangute ends. Named after the Baga Creek that merges into the Arabian Sea on the northern part of the beach, this is one of the most popular among Goa beaches.
Baga Beach is famous for its beach shacks and the delicious sea food that is offered there. The night life at Baga is even more exciting than its days. Baga Beach is the home to some of the hottest night clubs like Tito's and Mambos which are always crowded with the dance freaks. Mackie's Saturday Night Bazaar offers amazing buys for the shopper.
Baga Beach is a popular tourist attraction of Goa. This beach is entertaining from sunrise to sunset. As the sun sets down, party mode is switched-on around this beach. A former hippie hideaway, the clean golden brown sandy beach is also great for long, leisure walks. There are more open, less crowded areas farther down the beach to the left of the entrance, ideal for sunbathing. The sea here is not safe for swimming from May end to early October.
Baga beach is famous for water sports like parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking and much more. Baga beach is also popular for its spectacular sunsets and fishing. A large number of fishermen in their traditional attire can be seen with their daily catch, especially in the mornings and evenings. Baga Beach can be visited anytime of the year. However, during monsoon season tidal waves become unpredictable and you might not be able to perform any water sports adventure. So, it is best avoided during that time.
Shopping at the Baga Beach Market is an experience in itself. The Saturday market was started as a counter to the one at Anjuna.
Basilica Of Bom Jesus:
At a distance of 9 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand and 27 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station, the famous Bom Jesus Basilica is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Churches & Convents of Goa). It is also called St. Francis Xavier's Tomb. It is one of the top attractions you must include in Goa packages and one of the major heritage sites in Goa state. The church is often represented in promotion of Goa Tourism.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The Construction of the church began in 1594 and completed in May 1605. The church is called 'Bom Jesus' meaning 'good Jesus' or 'infant Jesus'. This church is the first Minor Basilica in India and is regarded as one of the best examples of baroque architecture.
The imposing facade built out of black granite in an exquisite combination of the Doric, Corinthian and composite styles, is remarkable for its simplicity. It measures 183 ft in length, 55 ft in breath and 61 ft in height. The main altar is 54 ft high and 30 ft broad. The interior of the church is built in Mosaic-Corinthian style. There are paintings of events from the life of St. Francis Xavier.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus enshrines the sacred remains of Goa's patron saint Francis Xavier, who died on a sea voyage to China in 1552. Legend says that when the body of Xavier was transferred to Goa the following year, the body was found as fresh as the day it was buried. The embalmed body of the saint lies in an airtight glass coffin which is placed in a silver casket. It is believed that the saint has miraculous powers of healing. Once every 10 years, the body is allowed to be viewed by the people who visit this holy place. The last time it was in 2014 and the next would be in 2024.
The House of the Jesuits is next door to the basilica and is the place where the Jesuit missions to the east began. The museum on the first floor has paintings on the life of Saint Francis that can be visited with an entry fee of Rs. 5.
Heavy Crowd during the Feast of St Francis Xavier held annually on 3rd December and proceeded by a nine-day devotional novena.
Aguada Fort:
At a distance of 15 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 4 km from Candolim and 49 km from Margao Railway Station, the grand Fort of Aguada was constructed to prevent the entry of ships into the River Mandovi thus protecting old Goa from the attacks of Dutch and Marathas. Aguda Fort is one of the prime Goa tourist places and one of the major heritage sites in Goa state. Aguada Fort is one of the top attractions you must include in Goa packages.
The Aguada Fort was built by the Portuguese colonial rulers on the beach south of Candolim at the shore of the Mandovi River in 1612. A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by. This is how the fort got its name 'Aguada' meaning Water. The heart of the fort was protected by two hundred cannons and a deep dry moat, which one still has to cross to get inside.
A central jail and a lighthouse built during the 19th century are also located near this fort. This is presently serving as the Central Jail. Aguada Fort boasts of the first ever light house in Asia. Equipped with ammunition rooms and barracks, Fort Aguada was the first line of defense as far the Portuguese control over the region of Goa was concerned. This lighthouse was home to a gigantic bell that was retrieved from amongst the ruins of the St. Augustine Tower at Old Goa. However, the bell has now been moved to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church at Panaji.
The Aguada Fort is easily accessible from Panaji and Mapusa through local buses, taxis and motorbikes.
Vagator Beach:
At a distance of 19 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 46 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 13 km from Mapusa, Vagator Beach is situated in North Goa, near Chapora Fort. It is among the top places to visit in Goa.
Vagator Beach is a part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian Sea that begins at Fort Aguada and ending at Chapora Beach and Fort. It is a bay between the rocky headlands and one of the Goa best beaches. It is covered with soft white sand, dotted by coconut trees and huge black rocks. The sea at Vagator turns from aquamarine to emerald green with the movement of the sun.
Vagator Beach is divided into Big Vagator or North Vagator, Middle Vagator (Tel Aviv beach) and Little Vagator (Ozran) by a few rocks. To reach the beach one has to climb down a hill. The Big Vagator Beach is a long white sandy beach located 1.4 km from Ozran. This beach is more crowded than Ozran Beach. The famous Chapora fort overlooks the beach.
Vagator Beach situated 3 km north of Anjuna, attained popularity because of its seclusion and the nearby Chapora Fort. The picturesque Vagator Beach is a favourite venue for mid night parties during the tourist season.
Big Vagator Beach is considered safer for swimming than the Ozran Beach. Lifeguards are available at big Vagator Beach but not at Ozran Beach. It also offers a very beautiful sunset view. There are several adventure activities at Vagator including speed boat & water scooters. There are a number of restaurants and beach cafes near the beach that serve some tasty seafood and drinks. There is a local handicrafts market where you can shop for local handicrafts like earthen pot and cane baskets as well as clothes.
Shri Mangueshi Temple / Mangeshi Temple:
At a distance of 21 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 37 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 34 km from Mapusa, Shri Mangueshi Temple is situated in North Goa. It is of the must visit Goa tourist places and a major pilgrimage site of Goa state.
Shri Mangeshi temple is located on a hillock at Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda Taluka. Shri Mangeshi Temple is one of the largest, wealthiest and most popular Hindu shrines in Goa. Mythology says that Lord Shiva came to Goa after having lost everything in a game of dice against his wife Parvati. When Parvati came looking for him, he disguised himself as a tiger and frightened her. In a state of shock, Parvati uttered the words ''Trahi Mam Grisha'', which means ''O Lord of the Mountains, save me''. Shiva then reverted into his normal form and returned with her. The words, ''Mam Grisha'' came to be associated with this story and Shiva came to be known as 'Manguesh'. The place where this tale occurred was marked by building a temple at the site. This location is to the south of the Zuari River where the present day village of Cortalim stands.
When Salcete was captured by the Portuguese in 1543, the devotees shifted the deity from Cortalim to a nearby village that came to be known as Mangeshi. The temple which is believed to be built around 1744 has been rebuilt and has undergone several renovations. It was built with income from land donated by a local ruler under the Marathas.
This beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It belongs to the typical Goan Hindu temple style of architecture. It is very distinctive with its white towers, welcoming at the entrance even though it is small and exquisite.
In the temple of Mangesh is a prominent Nandi Bull which is considered to be the Vahana (Vehicle) of Shiva. The temple complex consists of a spacious courtyard surrounded by the temple itself and rooms for weddings and pilgrims. The temple also has a magnificent water tank, which is believed to be the oldest part of the temple. The ''Deepastambha'' is an eye catching structure, it is a seven storey octagonal lamp tower. Considered as the tallest and most imposing column in Goa, it looks picturesque when illuminated at night with traditional oil lamps during festival nights. The tower is crowned with a small dome. The sanctum houses a Shiva Lingam. A golden Shesha, the Linga and an image of Shiva constitute the main altar. It has shrines of Parvati and Ganesha.
Magha Pournima is the main annual festival which is held in February. The main event during the annual festival is the Ratha Yatra or the pulling of the chariots. This annual festival attracts thousands of people to the temple. The deity is given a special deck up and is taken around the streets on a chariot pulled by devotees.
Colva Beach:
At a distance of 21 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 37 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 34 km from Mapusa, Shri Mangueshi Temple is situated in North Goa. It is of the must visit Goa tourist places and a major pilgrimage site of Goa state.
Shri Mangeshi temple is located on a hillock at Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda Taluka. Shri Mangeshi Temple is one of the largest, wealthiest and most popular Hindu shrines in Goa. Mythology says that Lord Shiva came to Goa after having lost everything in a game of dice against his wife Parvati. When Parvati came looking for him, he disguised himself as a tiger and frightened her. In a state of shock, Parvati uttered the words ''Trahi Mam Grisha'', which means ''O Lord of the Mountains, save me''. Shiva then reverted into his normal form and returned with her. The words, ''Mam Grisha'' came to be associated with this story and Shiva came to be known as 'Manguesh'. The place where this tale occurred was marked by building a temple at the site. This location is to the south of the Zuari River where the present day village of Cortalim stands.
When Salcete was captured by the Portuguese in 1543, the devotees shifted the deity from Cortalim to a nearby village that came to be known as Mangeshi. The temple which is believed to be built around 1744 has been rebuilt and has undergone several renovations. It was built with income from land donated by a local ruler under the Marathas.
This beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It belongs to the typical Goan Hindu temple style of architecture. It is very distinctive with its white towers, welcoming at the entrance even though it is small and exquisite.
In the temple of Mangesh is a prominent Nandi Bull which is considered to be the Vahana (Vehicle) of Shiva. The temple complex consists of a spacious courtyard surrounded by the temple itself and rooms for weddings and pilgrims. The temple also has a magnificent water tank, which is believed to be the oldest part of the temple. The ''Deepastambha'' is an eye catching structure, it is a seven storey octagonal lamp tower. Considered as the tallest and most imposing column in Goa, it looks picturesque when illuminated at night with traditional oil lamps during festival nights. The tower is crowned with a small dome. The sanctum houses a Shiva Lingam. A golden Shesha, the Linga and an image of Shiva constitute the main altar. It has shrines of Parvati and Ganesha.
Magha Pournima is the main annual festival which is held in February. The main event during the annual festival is the Ratha Yatra or the pulling of the chariots. This annual festival attracts thousands of people to the temple. The deity is given a special deck up and is taken around the streets on a chariot pulled by devotees.
Se Cathedral:
At a distance of 9 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 27 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 23 km from Mapusa, Se Cathedral is considered to be one of the largest churches in Asia, situated in Old Goa, opposite to Basilica of Bom Jesus. The beautiful Se Cathedral is one of the top places to visit in Goa. This place is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Churches & Convents of Goa).
The Se Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine. It is also known to be the oldest and the most celebrated religious buildings in Goa and has the prestige of being the seat of Archdiocese of Goa. According to history, Alfonso Albuquerque in 1510 defeated the Muslim army on the feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria and took possession of Goa. The construction of this imposing church began in 1562 during the reign of King Dom Sebastiao and substantially completed by 1619. The main altars however were not finished until the year 1652. It was consecrated in 1640. This 16th century monument took 80 long years to complete. It is also called St. Catherine's Cathedral.
The Se Cathedral is built in the Portuguese-Gothic style. The exterior of the church is Tuscan while the interior is Corinthian. The church is 250 ft in length and 181 ft in breath and 115 ft in height. The main attractions of the Cathedral are the 15 altars, which are dedicated to Our Lady of Three Needs, Our Lady of Anguish or Our Lady of Hope. The grand alter is highly ornate and is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. It has the carvings depicting the major events of the life of St. Catherine.
Close to the main altar is placed the throne of Archbishop of Goa. On the right in the order of placing are the Chapels of St. Anthony, St. Bernard, the Miraculous Cross and The Holy Ghost. It is said that a vision of Christ had emerged on the Miraculous cross in 1919 and that the cross is growing in size. On the left side are the chapels dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Necessidades, St. Sebastian, the Blessed Sacrament and the last to Nossa Senhora de Boa Vida.
The bell in the existing tower is often referred to as the Golden Bell. The bell is known for its melody and rich tone and is the largest bell in Goa and one of the best in the world. The tower on the Southern side collapsed in 1776 and it was never built.
The adjoining convent has been turned in to an Archeological Museum and is open to the public. The Franciscan church lies to the west of the cathedral.
Reis Mogos Fort:
At a distance of 7 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 34 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 15 km from Mapusa, Reis Magos Fort is located on the northern bank of the River Mandovi across to the city of Panaji in North Goa. This Fort is one of the prime Goa Tourist Places and one of the major heritage sites in Goa state.
This Fort was built by the Portuguese Viceroy Alfonso de Noronha in 1551 and was rebuilt in 1707. It was played an important role in the defense of Goa in 1739 against the Marathas. Originally it was an armed outpost built by the Adil Shah in the late 1400 and got destroyed in 1500. In the beginning the Portuguese used this Fort as a shelter for the viceroys and dignitaries who arrived from Lisbon. But gradually Portuguese realized the strategic importance of this Fort and used it to ward off Maratha armies.
This Fort is quite small compared to other forts in Goa. It was used as a residence for viceroys and later converted to a fortress. It was occupied briefly between 1798-1813 by the British Army. It was subsequently abandoned by the military and served as a prison until 1993. The Fort is currently undergoing a restoration by the archeological survey of India.
This Reis Magos Fort was constructed using laterite and is located on a hill that can be accessed through a ramp or a narrow staircase. From the Fort one can obtain a beautiful view of the River Mandovi. The other features of the Fort are the high sloping walls, underground rooms, passages, cylindrical turrets looking out towards the Mandovi River. The water supply provided to the Fort from a fresh water spring which is situated within the Fort. The Fort has been well preserved and was defended by 33 guns and a small military troop.
Located close to the Fort is the Reis Magos Church, the first church of Bardez. This church is well known for the colorful 'Fiesta dos Reis Magos' which is the Feast of the Three Wise Men. The feast is held on 6th of January every year.
River Cruise - Mandovi River:
At a distance 1 km from Panaji Kadamba Bus Terminus, River Cruise is a memorable and must experience activity in Panaji. It is one of the top Goa places to visit. The river cruises start from Santa Monica Boat Jetty and Panaji Jetty on Mandovi river in Panaji town on Old Panaji Road. River cruise is one of the top things to do in Goa.
The river cruise, especially the evening sunset cruise is a beautiful experience. Most of the cruise trips last for one hour with a ride across the Mandovi River till the Miramar Beach point. The cruise trips are usually accompanied with Goan cultural activities like Music, Dance, etc. The activities also include tourists joining the dance at end of the program.
Visitors can also view Adil Shah Palace from the river, which is the first palace built in Goa by Bijapur Sultan Adil Shah. It was later occupied by Portuguese and converted into a palace. Evening time (around 6 PM) is ideal time for cruise trip for best experience. This is usually crowded on weekends and waiting time can go upto 1-2 hours in peak rush.
There is also a Dinner cruise that leaves Santa Monica Jetty at 8:45 PM and comes back at 10:45 PM.
A full day (9.30 AM to 4 PM) backwater cruise trip is also arranged by Goa Tourist Dept from Santa Monica. The Backwater Cruise takes you along the mangrove-lined banks of the Mandovi River, between the Chorao and Divar islandsincluding Dr. Salim Ali's Bird Sanctuary at Chorao Island. It is a must do activity for Bird lovers.
Goa offshore Casino ships are accessible from Panaji Jetty past Santa Monica Jetty.
At a distance of 71 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 50 km from Margao Railway Station and 10 km from Kulem, Dudhsagar Falls is the largest and highest fall of Goa. It is one of the must visit Goa tourist places and is often represented in promotion of Goa Tourism. Dudhsagar Falls is another popular attraction not to miss in a Goa tour packages.
Dudhsagar falls is a four tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi River in Goa. This waterfall is amongst India's tallest waterfalls with a height of 310 m (1017 feet) and an average width of 30 m (100 feet) at it's peak. This falls is located inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary, at the border between Karnataka and Goa states.
Dudhsagar literally means a Sea of Milk in the local Konkani language and gets its name as it appears like an overflowing sea of milk. It is a four tiered waterfall with different ways to reach each level. The bottom of the waterfall is accessible through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The waterfall is also called Vajra Sakala Falls by the locals but most people know it as Tambdi Surla falls based on the popular trekking trail to the waterfall which starts from Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple.
According to legend, the waterfall was once the abode of a beautiful princess. The princess used to drink sweetened milk from a golden jug after she took a bath. One day, she spotted a prince watching her while she drank the milk. She poured the milk to form a curtain to hide her modesty.
Own vehicles are not allowed into the sanctuary to reach the waterfall. The most common and easiest way to reach the waterfall is to take a forest department (or licensed private) jeep from the forest entrance (private jeeps are available near Kulem (Collem) Railway Station) and hike 1 km distance from the dropping point. This service is closed during monsoon (June - mid October).
Trekking to the waterfall is also a popular activity. The most adventurous route is to trek from Kuveshi village. It is not allowed during monsoon as it requires crossing Mandovi River. The 10 km long route passes through thick jungle. During monsoon, the trek from Castle Rock railway station to the waterfall is very popular. It is about 14 km long and offers amazing views of the valley. The third trail starting from Kulem railway station is about 11 km long. Another, more popular approach is to reach the middle of the Dudhsagar waterfalls through the railway tracks. One can travel in a passenger train from Margao to Kulem to reach the tracks in middle of the waterfall (there is no route to trek to the bottom of the falls from here).
There are no shops near the waterfalls so carry food and water with you. The waterfall is at its peak flow during the monsoon months from June to September and wanes out towards the summers from March to June. The best time to visit is during October / November.
Anjuna Beach:
At a distance of 19 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand and 11 km from Mapusa, Anjuna Beach is situated in Bardez Taluka of North Goa. This beach is located north of Baga and Calangute, and close to the South of Vagator and Chapora. The white sands of the beach and the red laterite rocks create a unique arrangement. It is one of the best beaches in Goa.
Anjuna beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty with coconut trees and soft powered white sands. Anjuna beach is a favorite haunt of the hippies who used to organize the famous rave beach parties in the late 1950s to mid 1960s. The moon light rave parties are well known all over Goa and the world, and attract foreign travellers as well as domestic tourists, especially during the time of New Year and Christmas.
The beach is adjacent to Chapora fort. The 'Albuquerque mansion' located nearby is another attraction. The Anjuna flea market on every Wednesday is also very popular with tourists and local Goans, where you can purchase many things, ranging from fruits to jewellery, clothes and electronic devices. This area offers pleasurable shopping experience with quality products at reasonable prizes.
The waters here are safe for swimming and the beach is ideal for sunbathing and relaxing which attracts a lot of foreign tourists to Anjuna Beach. The exhilaration of Bungee Jumping from an 80 ft tower, paragliding and windsurfing boosts the fun at Anjuna.
Chapora Fort:
At a distance of 19 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 46 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 11 km from Mapusa, The Chapora Fort is situated in North Goa. It is one of the top tourist places in Goa.
Built in red laterite stones, the fort has steep slopes on all the sides and stands on an area which has irregular outer plan. This massive fort was constructed by the king of Bijapur, Adil Shah. This is one reason why it has been named Shahpura, which means the 'town of Shah'. The Chapora Fort is one of the prime attractions on Goa.
The fort was built in order to keep a watch on Hindu raiders who wanted to set up their territory in Goa. The fort was destroyed after the rule of Adil Shah and was rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1617, on the site of an earlier Muslim structure. The Portuguese troops surrendered to the Maratha ruler Sambhaji in 1684 but the locals were not too pleased with this situation and hence Marathas were forced to withdraw their forces from the fort in 1717. Portuguese took over it again and rebuilt the fort until they finally abandoned it 1892.
Today the Chapora Fort lies in ruins and although one can see the heads of the two tunnels to aid in escaping in case of an emergency. The massive ramparts and scattered Muslim tombstones are all that is left of this fort. The fort gives a spectacular view of the Vagator and the Anjuna beach.
There are no particular visiting hours to visit this fort, however early morning and evening are preferred as you can get some great views during these hours. Sunset from the fort is a beautiful experience. The path to the Fort from parking area is filling with red laterite stones and is slippery. One has to be careful while walking on this path. It is advised to return back before it's dark.
Shri Shantadurga Temple - Kavlem:
At a distance of 28 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 34 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 20 km from Margao Railway Station, Shri Shantadurga Temple is situated in North Goa.
Shri Shantadurga Temple is a large temple located at the foothill of Kavlem village in Ponda Taluka. This temple is considered as one of the most important and the biggest temple in Goa. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Shantadurga the Goddess of Peace. The deity is also called 'Santeri' informally. According to the legend, a fierce battle was made between Shiva and Vishnu that Lord Brahma prayed to Parvati to intervene, which she did in the form of Shantadurga. Shantadurga placed Vishnu on her right hand and Shiva on her left hand and settled the fight. The deity of Shantadurga is shown as holding two serpents one in each hand representing Vishnu and Shiva. This avatar of Shree Jagdamba Devi which had come to make peace between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva came to be known as Shree Shantadurga Devi.
The temple was initially located at Cavelossim but when it was being destroyed by the Portuguese in 1564, the deity was shifted to Kavlem. A small laterite mud shrine was built and the deity was installed here. The mud-shrine was converted into a beautiful temple whose foundation stone was laid in 1730 during the reign of Maratha ruler Shahu Raje of Satara at the request of Naro Ram Mantri, one of his ministers. The temple was completed in 1738 and renovated in 1966.
The temple is a combination of Indo-Portuguese architecture. Unlike other temples of Goa, the temple has a Pyramidical Shikara, Roman-arched windows and a flat dome encircled by balustrades. The maroon, peach and white colour paint of the temple gives the temple a serene beautiful look. Another major attraction of the temple complex is the Nayanmanohar Deepsthamba. This Deepsthamba is lighted during the festival times and the beauty of it is beyond description. On either side of the temple building are the big buildings of Agarshala. There is a big lake beyond the compound wall in front of the temple. The highlight of the temple is its golden palanquin (palkhi) in which the deity is carried on festive occasions.
The Jatra (annual festival) is held during December. The idol is taken out in a procession in a golden palanquin during the festival. Some of the important festivals that are celebrated at the temple are Lalkhi Utsav, Muktabharani Utsav, Tulsi Vivah and Kala Utsav.
to be continue next bloge...
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