Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site area of Old Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesu houses the corporeal remains of St. Francis of Xavier, which have miraculously still not decayed but remain as fresh as ever. And this is no urban legend because once in every 12 years, the remains are exposed to the general public for veneration. This 400-year-old church stands straight with simple exteriors built using red bricks and sandstone however the interiors are adorned with some interesting paintings that depict the life of the saint. A magnificently gilded alter leaves many impressed.
One of the most important forts in all of Goa, Fort Aguada is steeped in history. Located on one side of the shores of Candolim Beach, this fortress was built by the Portuguese to protect their kingdom from the Maratha and Dutch invaders. Strategically and ingeniously designed, the walls of the fort are huge with cannons attached to them. An interesting sight here is the spring that exists inside the fort, from where the sailors who landed in Goa drank water from. Also of particular note is the iconic lighthouse which served as a watchtower against impending marine dangers. Beneath the fort lies the Aguada Jail which was used to house prisoners who committed petty crimes.
Curti is a small and green neighborhood in the city of Ponda. One of the main attractions in the city is the Sahakari Spice Farm, which is brimming with the bounty of nature. Since the year 1979, the farm has been transformed from partially cultivated and partially barren land to a thriving spice farm, owing to developments in farming techniques. The spices that one will find at this expansive organic farm are, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, cardamom, vanilla and nutmeg, among others. All the talk of spices making your mouth water? Not a problem, one can enjoy a delicious meal at the restaurant located on the farm. The food in the restaurant in served in clay pots and plates made from banana leaves. And that's not all it has to offer! The spice plantation offers entertainment such as folk dance performances like Dhalo, Fugdi and Jagor, elephant rides, and more.
The Big Foot at Ancestral Goa is a 'holy site' worshiped today by people from all over, dedicated to the sincere devotee, Mahadar. According to the legend passed over by generations, Mahadar was a rich landlord, kindhearted and generous. Greed was never a part of his life and he was always ready to help the needy. His sincere acts even pleased the Almighty. However, his stingy neighbors took away all of the wealth that Mahadar possessed, leaving him poverty-stricken. The death of his wife deserted him even further. With his strong belief in God, Mahadar was put to test and asked for one act of immense faith. All Mahadar asked the God was for a small place to pray, instead, he was given a hot rock. Mahadar stood on one foot on the hot rock and prayed. Seeing his religious intensity, the Gods ascended him to heaven. What was left behind is the same foot impression of Mahadar.
Anyone who has visited Goa or even heard about it, should know that everywhere you go it is difficult not to come across a church or a chapel. Most of the churches in Goa are all white, including the beautiful Chapel of Jesus of Nazareth. It is a small chapel located along the shore of Siridao Beach, with a bell at the top of the structure. The church building is surrounded by greenery on all sides. Behind the main building is a huge dome structure, which is also part of the chapel. This shrine is famous for the Feast of Jesus of Nazareth, which is celebrated there during the first week of Easter.
Set amidst modern dwellings, the white-washed St. Inez Church has a steady number of followers each day. Although its date of establishment is unknown, the cemetery behind the church dates back to the year 1879. Apart from the regular prayer service, a number of concerts and events take place at the church regularly.
Anyone who has visited Goa or even heard about it, should know that everywhere you go it is difficult not to come across a church or a chapel. Most of the churches in Goa are all white, including the beautiful Chapel of Jesus of Nazareth. It is a small chapel located along the shore of Siridao Beach, with a bell at the top of the structure. The church building is surrounded by greenery on all sides. Behind the main building is a huge dome structure, which is also part of the chapel. This shrine is famous for the Feast of Jesus of Nazareth, which is celebrated there during the first week of Easter.
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site area of Old Goa, the Basilica of Bom Jesu houses the corporeal remains of St. Francis of Xavier, which have miraculously still not decayed but remain as fresh as ever. And this is no urban legend because once in every 12 years, the remains are exposed to the general public for veneration. This 400-year-old church stands straight with simple exteriors built using red bricks and sandstone however the interiors are adorned with some interesting paintings that depict the life of the saint. A magnificently gilded alter leaves many impressed.
Set amidst modern dwellings, the white-washed St. Inez Church has a steady number of followers each day. Although its date of establishment is unknown, the cemetery behind the church dates back to the year 1879. Apart from the regular prayer service, a number of concerts and events take place at the church regularly.
It is believed that the Our Lady of Rosary Church at Navelim was originally built out of mud, between 1594 and 1598, by the Jesuits. The villagers had funded the construction, however with each passing year the population of the parish began to grow. The church was small and hence wasn't able to hold the growing population. Later, the old church was torn down to make way for a bigger church, which was funded by a merchant who claimed that a major financial catastrophe was averted as he had prayed to Our Lady of Rosary. The present structure is a beautiful tall building, with a white-washed exterior and a tiled sloping roof. The church has gained popularity owing to the feast of Our Lady of Rosary, which is celebrated there annually on every third Wednesday of November.
One of the most important forts in all of Goa, Fort Aguada is steeped in history. Located on one side of the shores of Candolim Beach, this fortress was built by the Portuguese to protect their kingdom from the Maratha and Dutch invaders. Strategically and ingeniously designed, the walls of the fort are huge with cannons attached to them. An interesting sight here is the spring that exists inside the fort, from where the sailors who landed in Goa drank water from. Also of particular note is the iconic lighthouse which served as a watchtower against impending marine dangers. Beneath the fort lies the Aguada Jail which was used to house prisoners who committed petty crimes.
The Mormugao Fort has held great significance in history and is one of the main forts in Goa. Located right near the Mormugao Harbor, the fortress was built in 1624, during the Portuguese reign to protect the harbor. It consists of five prisons, a chapel, and guards quarters. The fortress is near Varca beach and can be reached by road as well as sea.