Places to See
Panaji : The scenic capital of Goa, located on the river Mandovi, is noted for its fine buildings. The present Government Secretariat set along the river was once the palace of Adil Shah, the ruler of Bijapur. The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception dominating the city square, the old Latin quarter of Fontainhas, the little Chapel of Saint Sebastian, the Kala Academy, the focus of all cultural activities in Goa, a beautifully designed modern complex along the river and Miramar beach are the town's attractions.
Margao: To the south of Panaji, Margao is a commercial centre. It also has some beautiful old houses and churches.
Vasco da Gama : Another town with fine buildings, it has the Mormugao Port close by.
Mapusa : A town with great charm comes alive each Friday when a local market springs up.
Old Goa : Velha Goa, the magnificent 16th century capital of the Portuguese, lying further upstream from Panaji, is practically an open air museum. Here, some of the imposing churches, convents and monasteries still remain. They have high vaulted roofs and lavishly baroque interiors with carved and gilded altar pieces and statues. They include the majestic Se Cathedral , the Church of St. Francis of Assisi , the Basilica of Bom Jesus enshrining the miraculously preserved remains of St. Francis Xavier, the St. Cajetan Church modeled on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome , Convent of St. Monica and the majestic ruins of the St. Augustine's Church up on a hill.
Ponda : Goa 's many charming temples are built in a unique style that incorporates Hindu, Islamic and Christian architectural elements. Many are located in the vicinity of Ponda. They include the Shri Manguesh Temple in Priol, the Shri Naguesh Temple , the temple of Shri Mahalsa Narayani – a folk diety, the Shri Ramnathi Temple at Kavalem and the Shri Shanta Durga Temple – a shrine to Durga worshipped unusually in a peaceful avatar. Deep in the woods under the Molem Forest Division at Tamdi Surla (70 kms from Panaji) is a Shiva Temple . It was built out of basalt (talco-chlorite schist) by Queen Kamladevi in the 13 th Century. At Ponda also is the elegant Safa Mosque built in 1560, evidence of Goa 's Muslim past.
North Goa Beaches (North of Goa ) : Some of the finest beaches here are edged by tall laterite 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 northern most extremity of the territory, built on a tall promontory, has a splendid view over the sea.
South Goa Beaches : The southern beaches with their expanses of sparkling white sand and calm sea include Bogmalo, Utorda, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelsossim and Mobor. The tiny bay at Palolem is especially beautiful.
Ancestral Goa : A model of a village of a hundered years ago, built on a verdant hill side close to Loutolim (10km from Margao). The village has a natural spring, a market place and residence ranging from Dona Maria's mansion to fisherman's hut. A guided trek takes the visitor through these natural surroundings.
The ‘Eat Out' offers Goan meals and specialities. The ‘Big Foot' , a designer dance floor in the shape of a giant foot print is an ideal location for a spot of fun. ‘Natural Harmony' , an immense laterite sculpture (14m by 5m) has found a place in the Limca Book of Records.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Six attractive Wildlife Sanctuaries and one National Park (755 sq.km) preserves thick forests and are habitat of animals like Indian bison, leopard, jungle cat, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, civet, sambar, chital, barking deer, hog deer, wild boar, giant squirrel, black faced langur, snakes, monitor lizards, crocodiles, etc. They include the new sanctuaries of Netravali and Mahdei. The others are:
The Salim Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, Chorao (3 km from Panaji) : Located on the island of Chorao along the river Mandovi, close to Panaji. A boat ride through mangrove forests is ideal to view varieties of water birds both resident and migratory. Contact : Range Forest Officer (R.F.O.) Wildlife, Camphal, Panaji, Tel: 0832 – 228772.
The Bondla Sanctuary (40 km from Panaji, 10 km from Ponda) : Attractive cottages, a restaurant, a mini zoo, elephant rides, nature trails and opportunities for bird watching make Bondla a special gateway. Contact : Director, Wildlife and Eco- Tourism, Panaji, Tel. 0832 – 229701.
The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem and Mollem National Park (60km from Panaji along N.H. 4A). Fine forests where the Gaur (Indian Bison) is seen in its natural habitat. Other attraction include the 13 th Century Shiva Temple at Tambdi Surla, Sunset Point, archeological monuments at Kaskond, etc. Contact Range Forest Officer, Mollem, tel. 0832 – 2612211.
Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary (80km from Panaji, 45 km from Margao, 10 km from Canacona): The southern most sanctuary in Goa . Tree-top machans in the semi-evergreen forest offers a chance to observe wildlife (giant squirrel, gaur, etc.) in their natural habitat. Contact : Range Forest Officer, Wildlife, Canacona. Tel. 0832 – 2644263.
Turtle Nesting Sites : Since 1997 – 98. Green Olive Ridely turtles have been nesting at beaches at Morjim, Galgibag and Agonda.
Wildlife Sanctuaries Website : www.goaforest.com
Goa Tourism Website : www.goatourism.org
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