Temples of Goa

Goa abounds in temples, ranging from the famous ones of Mangueshi and Shantadurga to the well preserved relic of Tamdi Surla, dating back to about the 12th century.

Shree Bhagavati
28 kms from Panaji in Pernem Taluka, the temple is said to be more than 500 years old. Made of black stone, two life size images of elephants in a standing position at the entrance welcomes visitors.. Dussehra is celebrated with gaiety when over 25 thousand devotees assemble at the temple.

Brahma Temple
7 kms from Valpoi, in the village of Brahma Carambolim, this shrine belongs to the 5th century A.D. It is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma found in India.

Shree Chandranath
Situated on the 350-metre high hill of Chandranath at Paroda, Quepem, Chandreshwar was the titular deity of the Bhoja kings who ruled South Goa till the middle of the 8th century. They had named their capital Chandrapur after the deity. The temple is so designed that the Linga receives moonlight on every full moon. The temple commands a panoramic view and its surroundings are enchanting.


Datta Mandir
Located at Dattawadi, Sanquelim, 40 kms from Margao, this century old temple of the Trimurthy has a backdrop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms. The most important festival is Datta Jayanti which falls in the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. The entire interior consists of white marble.

Shree Gopal Ganapati
Situated 26 kms. from Panaji at Farmagudi, Ponda, amidst beautiful natural surroundings, near Bandora.. The stone image of Gopal Ganapati was discovered by herdsmen while grazing cattle near the hill and later installed in a small shrine with a thatched roof. The temple with the idol made of metal alloy was consecrated on April 24, 1966.

Kamakshi Saunsthan Shiroda
Situated 40 kms from Panaji. According to mythology, Shri. Kamakshi was brought from Kaurang (Kanchi).

Shree Lairai Temple:
The temple of Shree Lairai is situated at Sirigao, about 2 kms from the Panaji-Valpoi highway. The temple is unique in North Goa with its combination of northern and southern art. The deity Lairai is famour all over Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, for her unique ‘Homakund’. Every year thousands of devotees attend the annual feast of the deity to witness the walking of Dhonds through the sacred fire called ‘Homakund’.

Mahadev Temple
66 kms from Panaji in Sanguem Taluka at the foot of the Ghats at Tambdi Surla is the only specimen of Kadamba–Yadava 13th century architecture in basalt stone preserved in Goa. A road connects Sanvordem to this temple complex.

Madanant Temple
Situated 25 kms from Mapusa, this temple complex at Sal, Bicholim has beautiful natural surroundings. The three day festival of Gadens which begins on Phalgun Purnima draws big crowds. Devotees believe they can have the darshan of ‘Devchars’ during the Gade festival.
Situated in Savoi Verem, 12 kms from Ponda and 30 kms from Panaji, this 500-year-old temple is surrounded by hills and fields, areca nut farms, coconut and cashew trees.

Maha Ganapati Mandir
Located at Madel in the Tivim Village Panchayat area of Bardez in North Goa. During the month of August (Shravan) the temple is lluminated and beautifully decorated. In 1970, four statues of Ganapati, Mahishasur Mardani and some others were found.

Shree Mahalsa
Located at Mardol, one km from the Shri. Mangueshi temple, the deity worshipped here is an attribute of Vishnu.

Shree Mahalaxmi
Situated in the village of Bandode, about 4 kms from Ponda this is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult.. The image of Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears a linga on her head and is considered a peaceful or Satvik form of the Devi. The Goddess Mahalakshmi was worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (9750 – 1030 A.D.) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa.

Shree Manguesh
22 kms from Panaji (26 kms from Margao) at Priol Ponda Taluka this famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located on a hillock surrounded by lush green hills. Though small, it has an air of distinctive elegance.Its lofty white tower at the entrance is a countryside landmark.

Navdurga Saunsthan
34 kms from Panaji at Borim (12 kms from Margao), the deity of Goddess Navdurga was originally brought by Brahmins of Karad to Goa. The deity was later transferred from Benaulim in Salcete to its present site at Borim.

Ramnath Mandir
Located 33 kms from Panaji in Ponda Taluka, this temple, besides the shrine of the main Ramnath deity, has four small temples of Laxminarayan,. Shantadurga (Sateri), Betal and Sidhanath. The five together constitute Shri. Ramnath Panchayatan. The legend in mythology says that Rameshwar is the original abode of Lord Ramnath.

Rudreshwar Temple
Located in Bicholim Taluka, 45 kms. from Panaji, the temple of Rudreshwar is very close to the rock-cut caves of Harvalem where the ancient linga of Rudreshwar is venerated. The idyllic Harvalem waterfalls is close by. The festival of Mahashivaratri draws big crowds Hindus perform rites for the dead here.

Shree Saptakoteshwar
37 kms from Panaji at Narve–Bicholim, this was a favoured deity of the Kadamba Kings. Its original temple was situated in the island of Diwar. The linga worshipped in this temple is faceted and is known as ‘Dharalinga’.

Sapteshwar Bhagvati
Situated 17 kms from Mapusa at Mandrem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, the main ones being of Shri. Sapteshwar and Bhagavati.

Shree Shantadurga (Kunkolienkarin)
Situated 18 kms from Margao at Fatorda (Quepem), its annual Zatra, fails in the month of Pausha Shuddha Navami and attracts thousands of devotees from all over Goa.

Shree Vithal Mandir
41 kms from Panaji, situated at Vithalwadi, Sanquelim, Shri. Vithal is the ancestral God of the ‘Ranes’. The main festival is Chaitri (April).

The Beaches of Goa

The Beaches of Goa 

Beaches are the attractions of Goa that are marked as the first one on the tour itinerary of Goa. Calangute Beach, called the Queen of Indian beaches is a stretched for 7 kms. Anjuna, the traditional ramble center, is admired by the back packers. It is a real lively place with many eating joints, restaurants and bars. Baga Beach, a fascinating beach is near Anjuna Beach. Dona Paula Beach 7 kms far from Panaji gives a best opportunity to the tourists for best relaxation and sunbath. 

Colva Beach near Margo offers nice accommodation options. Naturally blessed beach are Arambol Beach in the north and Palolem Beach in the south. Other famous beaches include Miramar Beach, Agonda Beach, Mandrem Beach, Morjim Beach, Miramar Beach, Palolem Beach, Siridao Beach, Patnem Beach, Keri Beach, Lemos Beach, Mandrem Beach, Morji Beach, Asvem Beach and many more. The resorts on the Goa Beach Resorts offer all the modern tourist facilities in Goa. 

Anjuna Beach:Anjuna Beach is located in to the southern side of the village. It is a real happening place with much number of eating joints, restaurants and bars. Anjuna is among the most beautiful beaches that you will see in Goa. It is an ultimate destination to have a scintillating sunbath and other entertaining activities. You can watch out for the colorful skydivers. Anjuna is the best beach to for the holidayers to have memorable times for lifetime.

Calangute Beach:Calangute is a vast and sandy beach that stretches out far off to Candolim. It offers excellent opportunities for sunbath and swimming. Sea is seen to be somewhat rough here. Swimming is not recommended at the time of the afternoon. It is an eventful and not so peaceful beach. You can see kids playing football or cyclists having a spin on the sand and so many sellers selling their unique lot. Buy the Goan handicrafts at a low price from the roaming sellers.

Candolim Beach:In the connecting link from the Calangute Beach, Candolim beach is a fairly busy beach. There are lots of wandering sellers and massagers offering the tourists massages. Want some adventure in your vacations? Enjoy a variety of sports activities on the beach, such as parasailing and water skiing. Candolim beach also offers good quality of eating joints and hotel resorts.

Dona Paula Beach:About seven kilometers away from Panaji, the Dona Paula Beach is a picturesque setting. The beach is named after Dona Paula de Menezes in the colonial period. In the modern India, it is also famous as the Lovers Paradise. You can see many young couple spending off their romantic moments here. It gets the visitors a hunky-dory view of the Mormugao Harbour and the Zuari River. It is a rustic spot to sunbathe and just relax. You can have a water scooter ride on the beach or can do your bit of adventurous water sports. Also see the Dona Paula Bay where the two famous rivers of Goa meet the Arabian sea.

Vagator Beach:Adjacent to the famous Anjuna beach of Goa, Vagator beach can be seen as a little more peaceful one. It is among those beaches that are quite much immersed in the rave and rambling Goan culture. It has a great number of happening places: Nine Bar, Primrose, and Disco Valley, to name a few. Vagator is privillegd to offer the tourists 24 hour restaurants, public convenience stores and chill out places. Enjoy shopping in the flea market that is set up here every Wednesday.

The excitement of Goa's beaches does not end here. There are many other beaches where you can enjoy your holidays with your family and friends. See the Colva Beach, Mandrem Beach, Miramar Beach, Morjim Beach, Palolem Beach, Patnem Beach, Siridao Beach, Keri Beach, Mandrem Beach, Lemos Beach, Asvem Beach, Morji Beach and many more.

Transportation in Goa

By Road
The Kadamba Transport Corporation runs long distance services throughout the state from their main stands at Panjim, Mapusa and Margao and from locations in the adjoining states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Private buses, serving everywhere else, including the coastal resorts are affordable, frequent and provide a relaxed mode of commuting.

By Rail
The Konkan Railway makes Goa easily accessible by rail from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvanthapuram. Goa is also linked to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune via Londa.

By Air
Major hotels have coach services to and from Dabolim Airport, 30 kms from the state capital Panaji for picking up and dropping off their guests. The airport has a pre-paid taxi counter. All the major airline services have daily flights to Goa from Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune and twice a week from Chennai and Kochi. International service airlines also connect Goa with Kuwait and Sharjah twice a week.

Direct charter flights operate from UK, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Russia and other countries.

Local transport

Taxis: For tourists, taxis serve as the main means of traveling between resorts. One will find them lined up outside most charter hotels, where a board invariably lists the destinations in and around the region. The fixed rate fares only apply to peak season and at other times one should be able to negotiate a hefty reduction from the demanded fare.

Motorcycle Taxis: Goa's unique pillion-passenger motorcycle taxis known locally as "pilots" are ideal for nipping between beaches or into towns from the resorts. Bona fide operators ride black bikes with yellow mudguards and yellow number plates. Fares which should be settled in advance are almost half the auto-rickshaw rates.

Rented Motorcycles: Renting motorcycles in Goa offer a lot of freedom to tourists. Officially one needs an international driver's licence to rent or ride anything more powerful than a 25 cc moped. Rates vary according to the season, the vehicle and how long one wants to rent it. Most owners also insist on a deposit and passport as security. The range is pretty standard and the reasonable choice is a 100cc motorbike. These are fine for buzzing to the beach and back, but to travel further the stalwart Enfield Bullet 350 cc is popular for its pose value and its British origins. The smaller Kinetic Honda 100cc which has automatic transmission is a good choice for the novice as well as the all-rounder.

Ferries: If autorickshaws are the quaint, essentially Indian mode of transport, flat-bottomed ferries are their Goan equivalent. Crammed with cars, buses, commuters and scooters, fisherwomen and clumps of bewildered tourists, these blue painted hulks provide an essential service, crossing the coastal backwaters where bridges have not been built. They are also incredibly reasonable and run from dawn till late in the evening.

The most frequented river crossings in Goa are Panjim to Betim, across River Mandovi, Old Goa to Divar Island, Siolim to Chopdem across the Tiracol river and Cavelossim in the far south of Salcete taluka to Assolna.

Goa Geographical Details

A poet once described the physical shape of Goa as one half of a heart, the other half being carried in the very heart of every Goan. The Sahyadari Ghats hover protectively to the east of Goa where the height of this coastal state rises to 1022 mt above sea level. The Arabian Sea laps at Goa's long Western coastline. Several rivers crisscross the state and empty into the Arabian Sea. To the North of Goa lies Maharashtra and to the South and East lies Karnataka.

Area - 3702 sq km

Population - Almost 15 lakh people (1.5 million)

Altitude - Sea Level to 1022 mts

Location - Between Latitudes 15 48'00" N and 14 53'54" N and Longitudes 74 20'13" E and 73 40'33" E

Neighbouring Cities - Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra towards the North, Belgaum to the East, Karwar district of Karnataka to the South and the Arabian Sea to the Wes.

Major Rivers -Tiracol, Chapora, Mandovi, Zuari, Sal and Talpon.

Main Beaches - Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim, Miramar are major beaches in the North with Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim and Palolem in the south.

Wildlife Sanctuaries - Bondla, Mollem lie in the eastern forested hilly areas of the state.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Goa

Ten kilometres northeast of the Usgao Tisk village in north Goa lies the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the smallest preserves in Goa, it covers an area of merely 8 square kilometres. Animals such as the black-faced langur, Indian bison, jackal and wild boar are commonly found here. Various species of deer are can also be spotted. Besides being home to animals, this preserve is also a treat for bird watchers and butterfly spotters. This sanctuary also boasts of a tiny zoo, although nowadays the zoo is not very well maintained and number of animals too has decreased. However, elephant rides are still offered at this park. You can even go on a deer safari through the sanctuary. After having ventured out into the preserve, you can come and relax at the botanical garden within the premises of the sanctuary. A small Nature Education Centre has also been established. 

This Centre is generally used for viewing educational wildlife videos. The Forest Department has set up tourist cottages at the entrance of the preserve to facilitate accommodation to those wanting to spend a night or two with nature. These cottages are ordinary but well maintained. There is also a restaurant that provides simple, tasty food. It is advisable to book the cottages in advance, especially if you are planning your visit on a weekend or public holiday. The sanctuary remains closed on Thursdays.

Molem National Park Goa

Molem National Park lies in the heart of Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary. Taking a tour of the sanctuary is a great experience in itself, as one can see the running herds of deer and Indian bison.

Malayan giant squirrels, clusters of monkeys, black panthers, cobras and pythons are the common sight here. You can even spot the elephants and tigers in their natural adobe.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary Goa

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary is spread in the area of 240 sq. kms. It is the largest wildlife preserve of Goa. Located at the foot of the Western Ghats near Molem village, the sanctuary is 53 kms away from Panaji, the state capital. The evergreen forests and lush green trees surround the sanctuary.