Goa Travel Guide

13th Centuary Temple - Goa


Church Facade - Goa


Goa Beach - Goa

BEACHES: At every twist and turn of the undulating Goan coast there are alluring little coves or bays each completely different and each with its own special charm. In north Goa (north of Panaji) some of the finest beaches are edged by tall lateite cliffs. They include Sinquerim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and Chapora with an old fort overlooking the beach. The Arambol beach has a delightful fresh water pond at the base of a verdant slope. The Tiracol fort at the northernmost extremity of the terrutiry, built on a tall promontory has a splendid view over the sea. The Southern beaches with their expanses of sparkling white sand and calm sea include Bogmalo, Utorda, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim and Mobor, The tiny bay at Palolem, is especially beautiful.

CHURCHES : Veha Goa the old capital of the Portuguese, lying further upstream from Panaji is practically an open air museum. The magnificent 16th century city once known as Goa Dourada (Golden Goa) rivalled the European cities in splendour and wealth, Today Some in the imposing churches, convents and monasteries that remain. They have high vaulted roofs and lavishly baroque interiors with carved and gilded altar pieces and statues. The majestic Tuscan style Se Cathedral deeicated to St. Catherine da Se has some of the finest examples of religious art. The little chapels that lie off the main nave are beautifully omamented in different styles. Near by is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The Archaeological Museum is housed in the adjacent convent. The Basilica of Bom Jesus enshrines the miraculously preserved remains of St. Francis Xavier - displayed in an exquisitely crafted silver casket resting on a multi - hued Italian Marble base. The imposing structure supported externally by buttresses has an elaborately gilded altar. The St. Cajetan Church close by, modelled on St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, is topped by a dome. Halfway up a near by hill is the massive Convent of St. Monica constructed in 1627 AD, and at the top are the majestic ruins of the St. Augustine’s Church.

TEMPLES: Goa’s many charming temples are built in a style that incorporates Hindu, Islamic and Christian architectural elements, Many are located in the vicinity of Ponda. In the 16th century, when Portuguese persecution was at its peak and temples were being destroyed, deities from ancient shrines were stealthily smuggled out across the border into the adjoining area of Antruz, now Ponda. In the 18th century these make shift shrines were converted into graceful temples and built in a style unique to Goa. These complexes have elaborate deepa stambhas, domes in place of shikaras which are crowned by kalasas, saracenic arches, traditional mandapas and temple tanks.

MOSQUE: At Ponda is the elegant Safa Mosque built in 1560, evidence of Goa’s Muslim past.

ANCESTRAL GOA: Step intp Goa’s exciting past at ‘Ancestral Goa’, a mock up of a typical Goan village of a hundred years ago, frozen in time. Built on a verdant hill side close to Loutolim (10 km form Margao), it is surrounded by varied plantation of spices, vegetables and fruits, watered by an ancient system of irrigation.

WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES: Four attractive wildife sanctuaries preserve thick foresta and habitats along the slopes of the Western Ghats. They include the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km east of Panaji), the Bondla Sanctuary (60 km south of Panaji). The wet deciduous forests of these preserves have abundant birdlife and are the habitat of animals like the bison, leopard, sloth bear, sambar, chital, pangolin, etc.