Sinquerim

Sinquerim is a coastal village in North Goa. This is a beautiful village around 16 kms from the state capital Panaji close to Candolim.

This village has pristine Sinquerim Beach and huge Fort Aguada that flanks it’s southern tip.

Pandava Caves, Aravelam

The ancient Caves in Aravelam is must visit place for history buffs. These 6th century caves are small that have 5 compartments. The Buddhist monks have carved these caves out of a single hard laterite rock. 

These caves are also known as the Pandava caves as it is believed that Pandavas have stayed here at some point during their 12 year exile as described in the Mahabharata.

At a later period these caves have been converted to shaivite caves. 

Shivlings carved out of granite of different shapes and sizes have been placed in each of these caves. These Shivlings are placed on raised platforms.

Common Kingfisher at Usgalimal

When we were in Usgalimal to visit the Rock Engravings we came across Common Kingfisher.

It is a small bird, measuring 25-35 cm in length with a wingspan of 25 cm. These birds have bright plumage and have compact body, short tails, large heads and long bills. The upper-parts of this beautiful bird are greenish blue and the back and the rump are pale sky-blue. 

On the throat and the nape it has a whitish patch. It has rufous patches at the base of the bill and ear region. It has greenish blue neck strip while the breast, abdomen and rest of the underparts are rufous. 

Their main diet is mostly fish. It also feeds on aquatic insects, flies, dragonfly nymphs, butterflies. 

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the oldest churches located in Old Goa. This is India’s first minor basilica and its construction began in 1954.

The architecture of the church is one of the best examples of baroque architecture. The entrance of the church is very ornamental.

The church with simple interiors has marble flooring inlaid with precious stones. The main altar holds a large statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

The church holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. He died on Sancian Island while en route to continental China in the year 1552. His body is placed in silver casket on top of a mausoleum. 

It was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini. The church also holds paintings of scenes taken from the life of St. Francis Xavier. 

This church is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sri Rudreshwar Temple, Aravelam

Sri Rudreshwar Temple at Aravelam is newly built on the site where only a image of diety existed earlier. 

This temple is also known by the name 'Temple of Lord Shiva'.

Inside the temple is a old Linga of Rudreshwar facing the waterfall.

Black-headed Ibis at Ponda

During our trip to Ponda, we could spot some birds  in a field filled with water and one of them is Black-headed Ibis.

They have white-plumage with some greyer areas on the wings. The bald head, the neck and legs are black. The thick down curved bill is dusky black. 

Their diet is fish, frogs and other water creatures, as well as on insects.

It can be seen walking around on marshy land probing with its bill into soft mud and shallow water.

Shri Shantadurga Temple, Ponda

Shri Shantadurga Temple is on slopes of foothills of a mountain chain, surrounded by lush vegetation of Kavalem village in Ponda. It is one of the oldest temple in the area.

There is a main temple and three smaller temples of other deities on three sides of the main temple. The main temple structure was built during the period 1738 A.D. It was constructed during the reign of Maratha ruler Chattrapati Shahu of Satara.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Shantadurga. The temple has several pyramidal roofs with a dome. The pillars and floors are made of Kashmir stone. Temple also has roman-arched windows, some of which have the stained-glass window panes of deep red, yellow, blue colours.

In front of the main temple there is a light tower. The temple also has a huge tank in the front.

Mahalaxmi Temple, Ponda

This temple in Ponda is one of the beautiful modern temple here with a unique architecture local to this area.

The temple has a huge beautifully decorated arched entrance with a pillared hall. On the top of the arch there are beautiful sculptures of two elephants around the outer spire. 

Facing the facade is a black stone light tower next to another light tower having the same colour as the temple.

The principle deity of the temple is Goddess Mahalakshmi. The architecture of the temple has two octagonal domes with the one on the top of main sanctum bigger among the two.

Aravelam Waterfalls

Aravelam in Goa has many spots of interest. In the vicinity of Rudreshwar Temple is very scenic and is a beautiful picnic spot that has a waterfall.

This charming waterfall cascades down from the mountains from a height of 50 metres.

The waterfall descends to the ground through rocky cliff with thunderous gush shedding its exuberant silvery showers.

Mahadeva Temple, Tambadi Surla

Tambdi Surla is a small place in in the midst of a forested area of Mollem National Park. This offbeat place which is 65 kms from Panaji is known for the ancient temple in the whole of Goa. 

Here small, beautifully carved and perfectly proportioned 13th century Mahadeva Temple built by Hemadri, a minister of the Yadava king Ramachandra. This temple has been preserved intact amidst serene picturesque Anmod Ghats. The temple consist of garbhagriha, antarala and a pillared Nandi mandapa that is built using finest weather–resistant grey–black basalt. 

The mandapa had balustrade entrances on three sides and it is covered with a roof of plain grey sloping slabs. The mandapa has four pillars embellished with fine carvings of elephant and chains support a stone ceiling decorated with intricately carved lotus flowers of ashtakon variety. 

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and there is linga mounted on a pedestal inside the inner sanctum.

The intricate carvings created by skilled craftsmen adorn the interior and the sides of the building.

There is a headless Nandi in the centre of the mandapa, surrounded by four matching columns.

Nagueshi Temple, Ponda

This temple in Ponda is one of the modern temple that is simple yet beautiful. This type of temple architecture is mainly seen in this area.

Most of the temples in this area were shifted from the adjacent Vehla during the Portuguese invasion. But this temple is originally from this place itself according to the inscription on a 1413 AD stone in the temple premises. 

The Temple was built in 1413, when this place was under the rule of King Veer Pratap Devaraya. Since then the original temple has undergone successive renovation even in the days of Chatrapati Shahu the Maratha ruler. 

The main deity of the temple is a form of Lord Shiva. A stone sculpture of the Nandi Bull- the vehicle of Lord Shiva is set at the entrance of the main shrine. On either side of the sanctum are ancillary shrines of Lakshmi Narayan and Lord Ganesh. 

The major attractions of the temple are the five-storied lamp tower.

The temple also has historic old water tank. It is built in such a way that standing at a certain point around the tank one can view the reflection of the idol of Lord Nagesh and the lighted lamps in the inner sanctum. 

Egret at Ponda

During our visit to Ponda, we saw a watery field near the temple with variety  of birds in it.

One among then is Egret.

Aravelam

For most people Goa is the place to visit churches and relax on the beaches. But there is more to this place if one is interested to discover. One such place is Aravelam.

This place is close to Bicholim town in North Goa just 31 kms from the state capital Panaji. one can see here:

• Pandava Caves
• Sri Rudreshwar Temple
• Aravelam waterfalls

Farmagudi Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple, Ponda

Farmagudi is just 3 kms from the main Ponda City. Here Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple is located amidst beautiful natural surroundings.

Herdmen while gazing cattle near the hill had discovered the Gopal Ganapati stone image and later was installed it in a small shrine with a thatched roof. In April 1966 a new temple was built and the idol made of metal alloy was installed.

The temple has a mix of both ancient and modern architecture.

Images of India - 166

A glimpse of heritage of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this place.

Rock Engravings representing new born child at Usgalimal

Candolim

This small town is 15 kms from the Goa State capital Panjim. In the 16th century it was occupied by Portuguese. 

It is a popular tourist destination. Some of the interesting places are:

• Candolim Beach
• Aguada Fort
• Sinquerim Beach

Other places of interest nearby are:

• Ponda
• Panjim
• Old Goa