Ponda
Ponda city in Goa is the place where Hinduism is at its maximum. It can be easily tagged as the heart of Hinduism in Goa. During the Portugal rule, many Hindus abandoned their houses located near the coasts and proceeded towards the interiors of Goa. A large number of them went to Ponda and settled there. The population grew in size and today Ponda has the maximum number of Hindus dwelling in Goa. This is the reason why Ponda is also known as the "Temple Town of Goa". When you travel to Ponda, make sure you visit all the temples which give a boost to tourism in Ponda.
Apart from temples and other places of worship, you can visit the two important wildlife sanctuaries that are located here. They are Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary. The sanctuaries make the perfect getaway for all you nature enthusiasts. Explore the wild side of Goa and spend quiet moments with untouched nature. The sanctuaries have a rich variety of flora and fauna and are the perfect place for you to indulge in some soul searching. Also, do visit the Dudhsagar Waterfalls that are ranked as one of the highest waterfalls in the world.
Ponda Tourist Attractions:
Sri Shantadurga Temple:
Sri Shantadurga Temple of Ponda is a very important and famous temple in Goa. It is said that the Goddess who is worshipped over here is the Goddess of Peace and settles quarrels amicably. Legends say that she amicably solved a major dispute between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Sri Mangueshi Temple:
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri Mangueshi Temple located in Ponda is a major Hindu temple visited by many devotees. This temple is said to have been built during the 18th century and its white tower a popular landmark. It is located on top of a hill and looks stunning amidst serene locales.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary:
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular wildlife sanctuary in Goa and is also the smallest one. It is spread over an area of merely 8 square kilometers. Though it is very small in area, it boasts of a rich variety of flora and fauna. Many tourists come and visit this sanctuary to explore the exotic wildlife here.
Other Important Temples of Ponda:
Ponda also has other temples that may not be as famous as others but are still worth the visit. These include Sri Mahalsa temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva), Sri Chandreshwar Temple and Sri Mallikarjuna Temple, which are located further down south.
How to Reach:
By Air: The Dabolim airport is nearest to Ponda city in Goa. From the airport you can hire a cab to reach the required destination.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Margao at a distance of 17 kilometers from Ponda.
By Road: Ponda is well connected to all major places in Goa by a wide network of roads. One can reach Ponda from neighboring state of Karnataka by taking the National highway 4A.
Location: Ponda Taluka, North Goa.
Best Time to Visit: October to April.
Highlights: Sri Shantadurga Temple, Sri Mangueshi Temple, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Dudhsagar Falls.
Main Languages: Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English.
Main Religions: Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
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