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Wildlife Experience
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Wildlife / Other Places . . . . . .
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CODE - 5
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Bhagwan
Mahaveer Sanctuary
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With an area of 240 sq. kms, this
sanctuary is Goa's largest wildlife
preserve. Located close to the Molem
village at the foot of the Western Ghats,
this sanctuary lies on the eastern
border of the state. It is 53 kms away
from the state capital Panaji, with
evergreen forests and deciduous trees
encompassing this preserve.
In the heart of the sanctuary is the
Molem National Park. Herds of deer and
gaurs (Indian bison), clusters of
monkeys, Malayan giant squirrels, cobras
and pythons are a common sight. And if
you get lucky, you might even spot
elephants and tigers. The sanctuary is
also home to a few black panthers. The
best time to visit the sanctuary is
either early in the morning or late in
the evening.
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Bondla Wildlife
Sanctuary
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Ten kms northeast of the Usgao Tisk
village in north Goa lies the Bondla
Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the smallest
preserves in Goa, it covers an area of
merely 8 sq. kms.
Animals such as the black-faced langur,
Indian bison, jackal and wild boar are
commonly found here. Various species of
deer can also be spotted. Besides being
home to animals, this preserve is also a
treat for bird watchers and butterfly
spotters.
This sanctuary also boasts of a tiny zoo
and elephant rides are also offered at
this park. You can even go on a deer
safari through the sanctuary. After
having ventured out into the preserve,
you can come and relax at the botanical
garden within the premises of the
sanctuary.
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Other Places
Mayem Lake
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The picturesque Mayem Lake just 35 kms
from Panaji, encircled by rolling lush
green hills, is an ideal picnic spot
with paddle boating facilities. In fact,
those interested in experiencing a bit
of rural Goa, can stay in Mayem Lake
View cottages, hidden in the wooded
slopes overlooking a calm spread of
water.
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Arvalem
Waterfalls
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This waterfall, which cascades down from
the mountains, from a height of 50
meters, is one of the most amazing spots
and best viewed after the monsoons, when
the ferocity of this waterfall is
mind-blowing.
Near the waterfall, is the temple of
Shri Rudreshwar and this site is
important for the religious rites to
appease the souls of the departed. Hindu
religion followers perform these rites
on the 12th day after the death.
A 5 min. walk from the falls takes you
to Buddhist Cave temples, which are
believed to date back to the 3rd - 6th
century AD. The altars, which probably
originally supported Buddha images, now
have Shivalingas set into them.
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Dudhsagar
Waterfalls
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Literally meaning 'The Sea of Milk',
these falls are situated on the Goa-Karnataka
border, at a distance of 60 kms from
Panaji and 10 kms from Colem railway
station. Water plummets hundreds of feet
in large volumes, forming one of the
most spectacular of all natural
phenomena in Goa. It is a popular
destination for hikers and trekkers. The
falls are best seen after monsoon,
between October and December, but right
up to April there is enough water to
make a visit worthwhile.
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Safa Masjid at
Ponda
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One important monument left behind in
Goa by the Muslim rulers is the Safa
Shahouri Masjid located at Ponda. This
is the biggest and the oldest mosque in
Goa. It is the only remaining one in
Ponda Taluka among the 26 mosques that
were built by Ibrahim Adil Shah of
Bijapur in 1560.
Its greatness lies not in what is left
of the one time prosperous religious
complex, but its ruins, which vividly
recapitulate the past glory. The
interesting part of the complex is the
huge tank with Hamams dotting its four
interior sides in Meharab design. The
Portuguese destroyed the whole complex
when they occupied this part of the
state. The tank has since been repaired
and restored to its past glory.
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Savoi Verem
Plantation
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The Savoi-Verem plantation, owned by the
Shetye families of South Goa, is a great
half-day excursion to make, and an
opportunity to see traditional Goan
methods of organic farming. The ascent
to the plantation is staggeringly
beautiful where one can walk through the
plantation with a guide, identifying
different spices and exotic fruits,
crushing and smelling the leaves and
watching the monkey-men gather
betel-nuts in the trees. Once there, you
can also have a traditional Goan lunch,
served out of earthenware, on banana
leaves on a verandah overlooking the
natural lake.
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Menezes
Braganza’s House
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Menezes Braganza's House at Chandor
belonged to Luis de Menezes Braganza, an
influential journalist and politician
(1878-1938). The late 16th century
mansion was later extended in the 18th
and 19th century, which was divided
between two families staying in separate
wings.
The better-maintained West wing, has
large rooms, furnished with beautifully
carved and inlayed antique furniture
owned by Ida de Menezes. It also has a
250-year-old library gallery. The East
wing occupied by Alvaro de Pereira-Braganza
has a large salon with fine chandeliers
that once reflected on polished marble
floors. The most remarkable feature of
the East wing is the family chapel.
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Mapusa Market
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Mapusa is the administrative head
quarters and the main town of the Bardez
Taluka. Its main feature is the
municipal market that is worth a visit
as to get the feel of the Goan colour.
The thrill of bargain hunting while you
browse along the colourful and vibrant
shops of textile and silk, jewellery,
spices, fruits and vegetables and the
fish market is also a beautiful
experience.
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Pottery
Handicraft Workshop
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Talking of original designs, it should
be interesting to visit Kumbhar Pottery
studio at Bicholim, that has some very
interesting pieces. The eleven-year-old
studio experiments with clay and earth
to combine the many aesthetic
sensibilities that Goa has developed
over the years. One finds distinctive
Portuguese influence amalgamated with
Hindu traditional art resulting into
beautiful objects and that is where Goan
pottery stands out from the rest.
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Handicraft
Emporium
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The Goa Handicrafts, Rural & Small Scale
Industries Development Corporation
Limited (GHRSSIDC), a Government of Goa
Undertaking, was set up in October 1980.
Its main objective is to encourage,
promote and market the myriad of Goan
handicrafts by making these items
available through its various outlets.
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