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PONDA AND AROUND

A busy commercial centre, Ponda lends its name to the taluka (sub-district) of the same name, which is renowned for its 17th- and 18th-century Hindu temples, tucked away in thick forests and the Safa Shahouri Masjid. To the north of the town is a butterfly sanctuary, with over 100 species while to the northeast, near the village of Khandepar, is a cluster of rock-cut caves. In and around Ponda, there are many farms that grow numerous aromatic spices.

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Ponda and Around

NEED TO KNOW

prac_info Naguesh Temple: Donshiwado; open 6:30am–12:45pm, 4:30–8:30pm daily

prac_info St Roque Chapel: Donshiwado, Bandoda

prac_info Tropical Spice Plantation: Arla Bazar, Keri; 0832 234 0329; open 10am–4pm daily; adm

prac_info Savoi Spice Plantation: 50 Savoi, Marcel Ponda Rd; 0832 231 2394; open 9:30am–4:30pm daily; adm

prac_info Mahalasa Temple: Mahalasa Saunsthan, Mardol; open 6:30am–8:30pm Mon–Fri

prac_info Safa Shahouri Masjid: Shahpur Rd, Ponda; open 5am–9pm daily

prac_info Sahakari Spice Farm: Ponda Belgaum Highway, Curti; adm

prac_info Caves of Khandepar: Deulwada, Surla

prac_info Butterfly Conservatory of Goa: Priol; 9822 125 474; open 9:30am–4:30pm daily; adm

prac_info Ponda Fort: NH 4A, Donshiwado, Bandoda

Google Map

1. Naguesh Temple

Google Map

Built for the worship of Nagesh (Shiva as Lord of the Serpents), this is one of the oldest temples in the region. The entrance hall has carved wooden friezes depicting scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

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Beautiful architecture of Naguesh Temple

2. St Roque Chapel

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Located atop a hill in Bandoda village, this chapel was built in 1904. The bell, which hangs in the chapel, has inscriptions in Devanagari as well as Portuguese.

3. Tropical Spice Plantation

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Visitors will need to cross a bamboo bridge to get to this spice farm. Bird watchers will enjoy spotting different species when paddle boating around the lake. There’s a butterfly garden here too.

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The verdant Tropical Spice Plantation

4. Savoi Spice Plantation

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About 13 km (8 miles) north of Ponda, is the 200-year-old Savoi Spice Plantation. One of the oldest plantations in Goa, it is known for growing coconuts, betel nuts and spices. Visitors can opt for an overnight stay in any of the village-style huts available here.

5. Mahalasa Temple

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Dedicated to Vishnu, the main deity here was taken from Verna, a village in Salcete. Highlights include a 21-tier brass pillar, rising from a figure of Kurma (Vishnu’s incarnation as a turtle), with Garuda, (half man, half eagle) his vehicle, perched on top.

6. Safa Shahouri Masjid

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This mosque was built by Ibrahim Adil Shah (successor of Yusuf Adil Shah) in 1560. A ritual tank here has the same designs as those on the mihrabs (arched niches) inside the mosque.

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Ritual tank inside the Safa Shahouri Masjid

7. Caves of Khandepar

Google Map

Deep in the forest, there are four Hindu rock-cut caves from the 10th–13th centuries, with carved lotus decorations on the ceiling, simple door frames and niches for oil lamps.

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Rock-cut caves set deep within the forest

8. Sahakari Spice Farm

Google Map

This farm is known for adopting organic farming methods for cultivation. It specializes in growing vanilla, spices, cashew nuts, fruits and many different ayurvedic medicinal herbs.

9. Butterfly Conservatory of Goa

Google Map

Nature enthusiasts will enjoy a trip to this conservatory, which is 5 km (3 miles) north of Ponda. Visitors can spot several species of butterflies here.

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A butterfly at the conservatory

10. Ponda Fort

Google Map

Destroyed by the Portuguese in 1549, this fort was rebuilt in 1675 when the 17th-century Maratha leader, Shivaji, conquered the region. Inside, there’s a statue in honour of Shivaji.

SPICE PLANTATIONS

The temple town of Ponda is the centre of spice farms, known for growing aromatic spices such as cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla, in addition to crops such as cashew, betel nut and coconut. Visitors can learn how the spices are grown by taking a guided tour of the plantation. The tour usually involves a stroll through the orchards and includes a traditional banana-leaf buffet lunch.

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