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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 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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Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, Goa |
The temple tour can be resumed by offering prostrations unto Goddess
Mahalakshmi, the presiding deity of Panaji, the capital of Goa. The
main temple has been reconstructed recently. The main festivals at
this temple are Navaratri and Chaitra Purnima.
A kilometre away and perched on the Altinho hillock overlooking the
Mandovi River is the temple of Sri Maruti, which is equally
patronised by the city dwellers. The Maruti Zatra in the month of
February draws large crowds of devotees from far and near.
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Sri Manguesh Temple, Goa |
Sri Manguesh temple at Mangueshi in Ponda Taluka, the most prominent
among temples, is situated along the National Highway-4A about 23-km
from Panaji. This temple is famous for its pristine glory, which
attracts thousands of visitors every year and is gifted by the
Welcome Gate, an elegant lamp tower, a "Noubatkhana" overlooking the
temple tank and the "Agrashalas" on three sides.
Although the Sri Manguesh temple originally stood in a secret
location in Cortalim, and was moved to its present site between
Mardol and Priol during the 16th century, the structure visitors see
today dates from the 1700s.
The temple is small yet grand with all the component of a Hindu
temple, like the Prakara, mini shrines, Garbha Griha, grand towers
and spacious courtyards. The entire complex, due to outlandish
impact looks like a Gurdwara or palatial mansion, but when entering
the complex, one finds our Hindu traditional gods and their
accommodation according to Shastric injunctions. Devout worship is
offered to this deity by its citizens and tourists as well.
Festivals and periodical devotional activities are conducted with
great zeal commendable.
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Sri Naguesh Temple, Goa |
The Naguesh temple with old scriptures on stone at Nagueshim, the
Mahalakshmi at Nagueshim Bandora, the Ramnath temples at Ramnathi
and Shantadurgta temple at Kavalem. The Ganesh temple has been
bequeathed to posterity but the temple was subsequently renovated in
the days of Chatrapati Shahu, the Maratha ruler of Satara.
The galleries of the Sabhamantapa contain exquisite specimen of
intricate woodcarvings of famous episodes from Ramayana on one side
and wooden images of "Astadikpal" and "Gandharva".
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Sri Navdurga Temple, Goa |
9-km to the east of Ponda in the village Marcaim amidst sylvan
background is situated the temple of Navdurga. The temple is said to
be about 500 years old and was renovated in 1603 AD.
In the centre or Garbhagriha of the temple is a stone idol of the
Goddess placed on a raised platform. The idol in standing position
is four feet and her peculiarity lies in her pose; that is her neck
which is slightly bent to the left and she is in the form of "Mahisasurmardini".
The annual fair from Kartika Vadya 4 to 10 is considered to be a
religious gathering in which people participate in large number.
As one proceeds further, one comes across a string of beautiful
temples nestling amidst swaying palms and abundant greenery. They
include the Ganesh Temple at Farmagudi, which is known for the visit
of Maratha warrior "Sambhaji".
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Sri Ramnathi Temple, Goa |
Situated close to the temple of Naugesh is the temple of Ramnathi.
The deity is incarnation of Lord Shiva and is equally revered by
both Shaivites and Vaishnavites.
Lord Ramnath is the form of Shiva worshipped by Lord Rama before
embarking on the Sri Lanka campaign to free Goddess Sita from the
clutches of Ravana. It is famous for its serene atmosphere. The
temple was built around 1566 AD and was renovated in 1905. The "Sabhamantapa",
however, is a recent addition.
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Sri Shantadurga Temple |
There is the famous temple of Sri Shantadurga the goddess of peace
who is said to have settled a quarrel between Lord Shiva and Lord
Vishnu amicably. Sri Shantadurga is worshipped all over Goa and
scores of temples have been devoted to this deity. At several places
it is known by several names, "Thamai", "Sateri", "Bhumka", "Adimaya"
and others.
Situated at the foothill of Kavalem, the Shantadurga temple boasts
of a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas. The temple was built
in 1728 AD during the reign of Shahu Maharaj of Satara at the
request of one of his ministers, Naro Ram Mantri.
The original site of Sri Shantadurga temple is Kardelivana of
Quelossim in Mormugao Taluka, where the great bard Krishnadas Shama
penned the epic "Sri Krishna Charita" probably in the 14th century
on the lines of Dnyaneshwari.
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Sri Vithal Temple, Goa |
the famous Sri Vithal temple situated on the bank of Valvanta River.
The temple was reconstructed in 1942 AD, incorporating the North
India style of temple architecture though sanctum-sanctorium was
left untouched. The main festivities at the temple are held during
the nine days preceding "Chairtra Purnima".
An exquisitely carved wooden chariot symbolising the chariot of
Arjuna of Mahabharata and driven by Lord Krishna is an important
attraction of the temple complex.
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Sri Morjaee Temple, Goa |
This is yet another temple situated at Morjim in Pernem Taluka,
which is about 15-km from Mapusa. The temple complex is situated
around sylvan surroundings.
The main festival is "Kalash Utsava" which is celebrated every
three, five, seven or nine years. Duration of the festival is nearly
a month, beginning from "Phalgun Shudha Panchami". The concluding 7
days is a big cultural and religious affair when people not only
from Goa, but also from Sindhudurga in Maharashtra and Karwar in
Karnataka assemble in large numbers. Other festivals that are
celebrated at this temple site are Gudi Padva, Dussehra, Zatra, "Divjam"
and "Ghode Mundim". |
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