Goa Voyages :: Goa Tourism :: Cities of Goa :: Ponda

Ponda

Ponda can be described as the Hindu heart of Goa. It is famous for the five important temples that are situated around the town, and also has the largest mosque in Goa. Most of these temples look relatively new as they have been restored after being destroyed by the Portuguese. That explains why there are no temples around the coast, which was the prime territory of the Portuguese. Ponda is also an important transport link.

Safa Mosque
Adil Shah constructed the Safa Mosque (also known as Safa Shahouri Masjid) in 1560. The architectural style of the mosque is predominantly Goan, with the exception of the arches that indicate a distinct Bijapuri influence. The mosque has a beautiful backdrop of wooded low hills that rise in the background.

Prime Attractions of Pernem

Sri Devaki Krishna Temple
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.

Sri Kamakshi Temple
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.

Sri Manguesh Temple
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.

Sri Shantadurga Temple At Kavalem
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.

Safa Shahouri Masjid
One important monument left behind in Goa by the Muslim rulers is the Safa Shahouri Masjid located at Ponda. Its greatness lies not in what is left of the one time prosperous religious complex, but its ruins, which vividly recapitulate the past glory.

Sri Ananata Temple
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 Lord Ananata in Goa.

Sri Mahalasa Temple
Hardly one kilometre away from Mangueshi is the village Mardol where nestles the temple of Sri Mahalasa. While it is commonly understood that Mahalasa is a form of "Shakti", "Madalasa" or "Narayani", the deity is also being worshipped as the manifestation of Lord Vishnu as "Mohini".

Sri Nauguesh Temple
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.

Sri Navdurga At Madkai
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.

Sri Ramnathi Temple
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.

How to Reach
By Road : Ponda is served by regular buses from Panjim and Margao, and lies on the main route east to Karnataka. The Kadamba Bus Stand is on the main square, next to the auto-rickshaw rank.

Places To Stay
There are plenty of places to stay over here. Best of the budget lodges are situated at the Belgaum Road, which has large, clean en suite rooms. More upmarket hotels are situated 4-km northwest on the NH-4 at Farmagudi. However, the best mid-range deal within striking distance of Ponda has to be GTDC's Tourist cottages, also at Farmagudi, stacked up the side of a steep hill overlooking the highway, with spacious and clean en suite chalets, and a small terrace restaurant serving a standard menu of spicy mixed cuisine.

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