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Goa, the land of beaches, is a tourist's delight. It has a
coastline of 100 kms and owns some of the most sort after
beaches in India or for that matter in the world. The beaches of
Goa have beautiful views to offer that ignites one's senses. Goa
offers beaches according to your liking – crowded, not-so-
crowded and some isolated or virgin beaches also. Starting from
the most popular beach in Goa, Anjuna beach, which is one of the
most crowded beaches in Goa, is a shopper's delight. It's
Wednesday flea market is very famous. Other important beaches in
Goa are Vagator beach, Miramar beach, Colva beaches, Dona Paula
beach, Arambol beach, Benaulim beach, Bogmalo beach, Calangute
beach, Chapora beach, Mabor, Majorda and many more exciting
beaches.
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Sri Saptakoteeswara Temple, Goa |
As one tries to return to Panaji from Harvalem, one can visit the
famous temple of Sri Saptakoteshwar Naroa, Bicholim. Sri
Saptakoteshwara was the patron deity of the Kadambas who had built a
beautiful temple dedicated to this deity at the Diwar Island.
The invading foreign rulers destroyed the temple and built a chapel
dedicated to Candelaria in 1641 AD. The image of Sri Saptakoteshwara
was shifted to Naroa by the devotees then. It was Chatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj who ordered renovation of the temple in 1668.
Despite their external grandeur and magnificence being tested by the
vagaries of time; their spiritual effulgence is still illumining the
paths of the earnest seekers. The Shiva temples built at Tambdisurla
and Naven-Bicholim are testifying to the rulers' devotional zeal and
their care for public zeal.
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Sri Ananta Temple, Goa |
This is one of the famous temples situated in Ponda Taluka at Sovoi
Verem a few km from Marcela. This is the only temple of Ananata in
Goa. It is surrounded on all sides by water and beautiful scenery.
Besides the main deity Anant Sheshashayi, the complex also has
Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush temples.
The idol of Ananta is carved in black stone. Though the structure of
the temple is small it is quite inviting. The pillar decoration is
very minute and full of intricate designs. The brass stand on the
lamp the special illumination stands or "Deepmala" are sacred
objects of worship.
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Sri Bhagavati And Sri Sapteshwar Temples |
Not far from Morjim are two temples namely, Bhagavati and Parshem
and Sapteshwar Bhagamati at Mandrem in Pernem Taluka.
The principal festival observed are the 7 days "Bhajanisaptah" at
Mandrem, which is celebrated in Kartika. The Zatra, Dussehra and "Shimgo"
are other festivals, which are attended by large crowds. Surrounding
the main temples can be seen some exquisitely sculptured ancillary
deities.
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Sri Chandreshwar Temple |
On way back from Zambaulim one can take a slight diversion at Paroda
to proceed to the Chandranath hill and climb the huge granite steps
to reach to the temple of Sri Chandreshwar.The South Goa Bhojas
worshipped the deity years before the Christian era till the middle
of the 8th century AD.
The temple has the famous Shiva Linga, which was supposed to ooze
water with the touch of moonlight.
The temple atop the hill has been designed in such a way, that
moonlight directly falls on the Shiva Linga on the full moon night.
One can have a birds' eye view of a long ending green valley of
Salcete and Quepem Taluka from the Chandranath hill.
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Sri Devaki Krishna Temple, Goa |
3-km away from Banastari Bridge on Panaji -Ponda Road is situated
the noteworthy temple dedicated to Devaki Krishna at Marcel. The
deity is said to have been brought from Chorao in Tiswadi to Mayem
in Bicholim and then shifted to its present place during the days of
religious persecution by the alien rulers.
The Garbha Griha contains the beautiful idol of Devaki and Lord
Krishna. The idol of Devaki is in standing posture with a child
Krishna, sitting astride her hip. This particular pose is considered
to be unique in Goa. The idols are beautifully carved in black
stone. The major festival is Malni Purnima from Paush Vadya is
celebrated over here with great fervour and excitement.
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Sri Kalika Temple, Goa |
One of the most important Hindu monuments in North Goa is the temple
dedicated to Sri Kalika situated in the Gillage Kansarpal near
Assonora, a few kilometers away from the Mapusa town. The Daivadnya
Brahmans are the main devotes of this deity. A huge gold "Kalash"
atop the dome of the temple beckons thousands of devotees and
inquisitive visitors to this otherwise secluded place.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, which is the Rudra form of
Goddess Durga. The temple represents a fine blend of aesthetics and
architectural designs.
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Sri Kamakshi Temple, Goa |
About 12-km from Kavalem is situated another important religious
monument which is dedicated to Sri Kamakashi. The deity is believed
to have come from Kamakhya, Guwahati in Assam, which is her original
abode.
In Goa, the original location of Sri Kamakshi temple was Raia in
Salcete Taluka. But the deity was subsquently shifted to Shiroda
village in Ponda Taluka due to religious persecution by alien
rulers.
The place where temple is has an ancient name "Shivagram". Of the
smaller temples present in the complex there is the one dedicated to
Lord "Rayeshwara". People irrespective of religious faith and
hailing originally from Raia, still venerate Sri Kamaksha.
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Sri Mahadev Bhumika Temple |
Just 5-km from Kasarpal is another temple complex with beautiful
natural surroundings at village Sal, which is soon going to be
converted into a tourist village.
The Festivity
The temple is famous all over Goa and Sindhudurg district for its
annual festival of "Gade", which is a three-day religious affair
from Phalgun Vadya 1 to 3. Devotees believe that people can have
Darshan of 'Devchar' at night during the festival and hence the Gade
attracts huge crowds even from urban areas of Goa. |
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