Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

A GREAT DESTINATION

Vasco Da Gama : Close to Marmugao harbour & Dabolim airport. Vasco Da Gama is the terminus of the railway line to Goa. Situated on river Zuari. Margao : Capital of Salcete province, main population centre of southern Goa and a pleasant provincial town which still displays many reminders of the Portuguese past. Old Margao church is worth a visit. Functions as service & transport centre for people staying at Colva beach. Beaches: Goa is famous for its beaches . Calangute beach, queen of Goa's beaches. Other beaches : Baga beach, Anjuna beach, Chapora beach, Colva beach. : Most beautiful of beaches, 40 km of uninterrupted white sand fringed with coconut palms,along the whole of its length and a warm, calm sea.Aguada, Bogmalo, Dona Paula, Miramar, Vagator, Mandrem, Morgim, Majorda, Betul, Benaulim etc. Other places worth visiting : Mayern Lake (35km from Panaji) - Popular picnic spot; Pilar Seminary (11km) set on top of a hill; Bondla Forest & Sanctuary (55km); Molem Wildlife Sanctuary en route to Belgaum; Dudh Sagar Waterfalls : 60 km from Panaji, 10km from Kolem railway station. Festivals of special interest : The exposition of the body of St.Francis Xavier once every 10 years. Catholics from all over India flock to Goa; Reis Magos Zatra to celebrate the feast of 3 kings (Jan); The Carnival is a 3-day festival celebrated all over Goa in February-March. There is a lot of music and dancing, and masquerades and processions led by the legendary king Momo; Jatras (or temple processions) are held in various periods of the year at the temples of Shri Shantadurga, Ponda (January) Shri Ha- numan, Panaji, Shri Mangeshi, Ponda, Mandol. Also the Narve Jatra, Bicholim, Dindi at Margao, Nageshi Jatra, Shri Datta Jayan- thi Sankhali; The Lairai Jatra in April, where the highlight is the fire walking spectacle in the early morning; Vasco Saptak when there is the singing of songs and processions of floats with stories from the Hindu Puranas; Feast of St.Francis Xavier (Dec) in old Goa.

Panaji : On the river Mandovi. Narrow winding streets, old houses with overhanging balconies, red tiled roofs and numerous small bars and cafes. Old Church of Immaculate Conception & Mahalaxmi temple. Beaches: Dona Paula, Calangute Beach, Mi- ramar Beach. Old Goa (10km) : Founded by the Adil Shahi King in the 15th century, it was conquered by the Portuguese and made their capital which they called Velha Goa. There are many churches of interest such as Basilica of Bom Jesus where the body of St. Francis Xavier is kept in a silver casket. He came to Goa in 1540 and died in 1552 in China. When the body was brought to Goa it was found to be in a perfect state of preservation. The body is exposed to the public once every 10 years. Se Cathedral : Built from 1562 to 1619, the building is in Portu- guese - Gothic style. Of the 5 bells in this church, the one known as the Golden Bell is the largest bell in Goa and said to be the largest in the world. Church of St.Cajetan : Modelled on St.Peter's Church in Rome built by Italian Friars, who were sent by the Pope to preach Christianity in Golconda (Hyderabad). The friars settled down in Goa in 1640. The construction of the church was begun in 1655. Church of St.Francis of Assisi : It contains old murals depict- ing scenes from the life of St.Francis of Assisi. Church of StAugustine (Ruins) : The church was constructed in 1602 by Augustinan Friars who arrived in Goa in 1587. It was abandoned in 1835 as a result of repressive policies followed by the Portuguese Government which resulted in the eviction of many religious orders from Goa. Now only the ruins of its 46 metre high tower are left. Church & Convent of St.Monica : This huge, three storied laterite building was commenced in 1606 and completed in 1627, only to burn down 9 years later. Reconstruction started the fol- lowing year. The building is now a nunnery. Other monuments'. Other monuments at old Goa are the Viceroy's Palace, Royal Chapel of St.Anthony, church of St. John of God, chapel of St.Catherine, ruins of the Church of Carmelites and church of Our Lady of the Mount. Temples : Lamp towers are an attractive feature of the Shri Mang- esh temple, at Priol-ponda, 22km from Panaji. There is a Shiva temple. The interior of the temple is illumined with chandeliers. A sacred tank is attached to the temple. Sri Mohalsa temple : This is yet another temple at Mardol, close to the Mangesh temple. Vishnu is deity here. Shri Shanta Durga temple : Built in 1713, this is dedicated to Shanta Durga in a tranquil wood. The image is flanked by those of Shiva & Vishnu. This is at Kavlem, 33km from Panaji. Saptakoteshwar temple : This is the oldest temple in Goa, en- shrining the deity presiding over the dynasty of the Kadamba rulers. Shivaji repaired the monument. Mosques : Safa Shahouri Masjid : Supposed to have been built by Ibrahim Adil Shah in 1560, with an underground passage.

GUJARAT

Ahmedabad : Seventh largest urban agglomeration of India called Manchester of India for its textile industry. Situated on the banks of river Sabarmati. From 1915 it became famous as the site for Gandhi's Ashram and the place where he launched his famous march to break the Salt law. The new capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, is 23km from Ahme- dabad. Gandhi's ashram at Sabarmati can be visited. There is a small museum. Bhadra Fort : The Moghul fort enclosing royal palaces and gar- dens once had 12 gates. Inside the fort is housed the Bhadrakali temple. It has an impressive Clock Tower. Hatheesing Jain temple : This Jain temple, situated outside the

Dargah ofGhazi Abdullah Khan Shahid : Tomb at Ponda.

Adil Shahi Mosque : At Sarla in Bicholim district.

Juma Masjid : At Sanguem, 26km from Margao.