Bat / pequeno island

The Pequeno Island in Goa also known as the Bat Island is located just a kilometer away from Baina beach of Vasco-da-Gama. The island forms a great surprise for those seeking adventures and comprises of a small rocky beach and a small stretch of green.
The Pequeno Island is famous for snorkeling and is considered a perfect destination for the snorkelers. For snorkeling, the training and
equipments are provided by the tour organizers and operators. The island provides a very interesting stopover along the Goan coast and can be reached by a 30 minute ride into the sea.
At the Pequeno Island one can also enjoy a day off as there are numerous boatmen who moor
themselves off Vasco. A vessel can be hired from them or they can be asked to reach one off at the island. The boatman can then be asked to come and pick one up the next day. Thus one can enjoy a whole day off at a private little beach of their own.

Butterfly Beach

Butterfly Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches among all the beaches of Goa. It is serene, peaceful and mesmerizing. As it is not known to many, the Butterfly beach has managed to maintain its tranquil and calm environment. People who are looking for a perfect relaxing holiday should not miss Butterfly beach. This beach would be the best place to unwind and relax. The location of Butterfly beach has facilitated to its serenity and tranquil environment. The beach is located on the Butterfly Island, Goa. Butterfly Beach is a fairy place, the beach of butterflies, which occupies a tiny semicircular bay on the high northern end of Palolem beach – one of the most photogenic places in whole Arabian Sea coastline and a real natural wonder. In a perfect and amazing world of South Goa paradise beaches this nice piece of coast is single, lonely and solitary. Golden sand at the foot of high rocks, which surrounding the Beach with a dense ring from the land, will easily make you feel yourself in heaven. The warm blue water with clean and shallow sea bottom attracts with its beauty and gives a great pleasure. Butterfly beach is located in the north direction of Palolem beach at Butterfly island in south Goa.

 

 

 

 

 

San Jacinto Island

You can visit Issorcim beach around Bogmalo beach, which is only 11/2 kms away. This beach is completely secluded save for the local villagers, and is particularly good for fishing. Here, plate coral also grows. About 5 kms from Bogmalo, there is a little lovely island called San Jacinto Island, this is located in the Mormugao bay. It has old houses and a picturesque chapel. One often passes the San Jacinto island while on the way to or from the Dabolim airport. There is an old chapel situated here that has an underground tunnel to the other side of the river to Siridao. There is also a church in the area known as the St Hyacinthi Church that celebrates the feast on the last Sunday of September. One can even see an old Portuguese lighthouse on the island. In the year 1927 a vow was made by the inhabitants of the island who purchased the place not to sell or lease it out to any projects. Therefore the island still has its natural charm. At low tide along the Chicalim coastline, further up the road towards Vasco from Sao Jacinto Island is a tiny islet with a crucifix on it, locally called San Antonio.

 

 

 

 

Maya Lake

Maya Lake also known as Mayem Lake is situated in Mayem in the Bicholim taluka of North Goa. It is a popular tourist spot in Goa for boating. The beautiful Maya lake is located 7 kms from the Saptakoteshwar Temple and is a famous picnic spot for the locals of Goa and tourists alike. On the roadside there are vendors dealing in Goan handicrafts and refreshments boasting of delicious coconut water. The crossroads leading from here proceeds towards the Mayem Lake. It leads through a beautiful and natural array of cashew trees surrounding hills and valleys, areca nut palm trees with betel leaves and pineapple plantations. An occasional glimpse towards the coast, one can see the capital of Panjim with the Mandovi River in the far distance.

 

 

 

 

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is smallest of the Goan wildlife sanctuaries. Located up in green-covered foothills of the Western Ghats, Bondla is the home to Sambhar and Wild Boar. This wildlife sanctuary is situated 55-km from Panajim and 38-km from Margoa. It houses a Botanical Garden, fenced Deer Park and a Zoo. The zoo is rated the best in the area having enough spacious enclosures.
Bondla wildlife sanctuary is a suitable destination for a trip with whole family. As you walk along, you may spot a giant red Malabar squirrel, a wild Boar, a Sambar or several other wildlife. You can also watch the crocodiles as they clamber themselves out of the water and rest over the rocks in the sun. Bondla is also good for bird-watching too. It really enthralls to hear the chirping of large variety of birds including Indian scimitar babbler, Brown fish owl, Oriental dwarf Kingfisher and Ruby throated yellow bulbul.

 

 

 

 

Aguada Fort

Aguada fort is the largest and the best-preserved Portuguese fort in Goa and was built in 1609-12, to control the entry into the river Mandovi and to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks. A freshwater spring - from where the fort derives it's name - within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there. Ringed by thick battlements, the heart of the fort was protected by two hundred cannons and a deep dry moat, which one still has to cross to get inside.
From this fort one can get full view of the sea and full of panjim to raj bavan in dona poula.

Torda village

Torda is this unassuming little village, serene and quiet, just a few kilometres away from the chaotic Porvorim. We drove along a lake that drank out of the monsoon bounty, surrounded by fields of a velveteen hue that made the landscape looked like it was swathed in a gorgeous green brocade that catches the golden light when it moves. If this had to be a nail colour, I’d call it Goa’s Golden Hour.

Even the most ordinary sights turn magical in an instant in the Golden Hour. Every blade of grass and every leaf gets outlined with a glint of gold. Beautiful birds and butterflies turn into silhouettes. The delicate wings of the dragonflies fluttering around act like little mirrors of light. People get bathed in a soft, diffused lighting that just can’t be recreated artificially. Needless to say, Lovell and his camera had a good time while I watched the evening go by us in a golden haze.

Well, this is one my clicks at Torda.

MAHALAXMI TEMPLE

The Mahalaxmi temple devoted to Goddess Mahalaxmi is situated on the Dr. Dada.Vaidya Road (earlier known as Rua de Saudade) in Panjim, the main city of Goa. It was the first Hindu temple allowed to be constructed in Goa after 300 years by the Portuguese since they captured Goa in 1510. 

Built in 1818 and devoted to the goddess of wealth, Mahalaxmi who is the presiding deity of the Panaji village, the temple is now one of the most famous temples of Panaji. The deity considered a peaceful form of the goddess wears a "linga" on her head and is made of black stone with four hands. The temple has a fascinating history about the deity's image.

It is known that in the 16th century, some Brahmins carried this deity along to the Taleigao village in Goa. To escape the Portuguese destruction, they moved the deity to a stable which belonged to the Portuguese government. Fearing the security and safety, the deity was then moved to the Mhamai Kamat house, near the Idalcao's palace. It was then shifted to Mayem in Bicholim where it remained till 1817. After permission of the liberal Portuguese governor Conde De Rio Pardo, which was granted on 2nd July 1818 the temple was built and the image was finally brought to Panaji.

A lot of devotees come to the Mahalaxmi temple during Hindu festivals like Dussera and Mahashivratri. The main festivals celebrated here are Navaratri and Chaitra Purnima. In February also a big fair is held during the Maruti Zatra festival that draws a large number of devotees.

Jama Masjid

The Jama Masjid is situated at Sanguem in Goa which is about 26 kms from Margao. The mosque is a well known Muslim religious place of worship in Goa which is known to have been completely renovated in 1959 AD.

The new structure of the Jama Masjid is significantly noted for its elegant simplicity and harmonious proportions. 

The entrance facade of the Jama Masjid has two towers, which are surmounted by pillared kiosks. The Jama Masjid also has four minarets and from the centre of these a dome-shaped kiosk rises. 

A lot of devotees celebrate their festivals here with due solemnity and are often seen rejoicing.

Jet skiing in Goa

Jet Skiing is one of the most thrilling and adventurous water sports in Goa. It is preferred around winter season and is enjoyed by many tourists who try this sport to set their adrenalin rushing. 

The Jet Skis in Goa are sure to set one pulsating as the equipment has a power of 100-135 horsepower. They are capable of reaching very high speeds and thus one is advised to go along with an instructor if trying it for the first time. 

Jet skiing requires a jet powered water scooter which is accelerated by a powerful engine. It is simple to operate however for a while the high speed may be a bit difficult to control. Once it is mastered, one can have a great experience skiing around.

Jet Skiing can be enjoyed at many beaches in Goa such as Aguada Beach, Colva Beach, Candolim Beach, Calangute Beach, Miramar Beach, Benaulim Beach etc. A nominal rate is charged and one is requested not to ignore the advice given by instructors.

Dhangar dance in Goa

Dhangar Dance is a well known Goan dance form performed by a sheperd community known as Dhangars. It is considered a Navratri dance which involves a fusion of adoration, a vigorous session of worship and dance performed to please and worship "Bira Deva" or "Biruba" for his blessings.

The Dhangar dance also known as the Dhangari Gaja Dance is performed in traditional Marathi dresses which include a Kathiawari-styled white dress and turban with colorful handkerchiefs. 

The dance begins with simple footwork to a slow beat accompanied to the beat of "Dhol". Generally they move around the drum / dhol players during the dance.

Alorna fort

                                                                               The Alorna fort is situated in the village of Alorna which is about 30 km from Mapusa and 10 km east off NH 17 from Malpem in Pernem. It was built by the Bhonsles of Sawantwadi in the 17th century. 

The fort had four guns and in the year 1746, the fort was captured by Marquis of Castello Novo (later known as Marquis of Alorna) from the Bhonsles. The possession however was short lived.

In 1781, the fort was again captured by Dom Frederico Guilherme de Souza. It was used to defend against the Maratha attacks from the north. 

The fort is presently in a dilapidated condition. It is however a beautiful site to explore as it is perched on the banks of the river Chapora as it flows peacefully towards Colvale.

Coco beach

                                      Coco beach is situated at the mouth of the Nerul River on the Mandovi Estuary, directly opposite Panaji. This beach is often considered as the abridged gateway between Candolim and Nerul. The thriving fishing village has gained prominence in recent years with its exquisite location and popularity with foreign tourists.
There are regular boat rides into the Mandovi river and most notably, into the bay, where tourists can engage in one of Coco's most popular attractions: wild dolphin spotting.

Sao Joao

It is the feast of St John the Baptist on June 24th. On this day young men around Goa jump into wells to retrieve gifts thrown in by villagers. This celebration is called Sao Joao, one of the more famous Christian feasts in the state. The festivals takes place at the beginning of Monsoon season in Goa and people of all ages jumping into wells, streams and ponds. They get well tanked with feni and do this. In Siolim, the village in north Goa's Bardez taluka, colourful boat races are organised on this day. On the feast day, villagers begin the day by taking a plunge in the village wells singing ‘San Joao’. The highlight of the day is the Sangodd, on which people parade singing Mandos and religious hymns. People, especially the newly married or those with a new-born (where new means before after June 24 of the previous year, that is the previous Sao Joao) gather with the dali and gifts containing seasonal fruits like moussrad mango (a Goan variety of mango), pineapples, jackfruits and a bottle of feni. The young and old alike sing and dance to the beat of the ghumot and kansallem, with lovely coronets of seasonal flowers on their heads and ‘drenched to the bone’ with feni. Many then proceed to jump time and time again into the streams, wells and ponds to keep away the cold from getting them. So if you are looking for fun, frolic and a wet-carnival like atmosphere then San Joao is definitely the best place to be on the 24th June.