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GOA INDIA TOURISM --» Goa Cities --» Ponda
Ponda
Start your itinerary in Ponda from the famous mosque of Safa Shahouri, nestling
in the old but greener quarter of the city. Touch the laterite walls blackened
with the pastel of time, and you can feel an imaginable peace existing around
the mosque, in the shimmering waters of its tank and in the whisper of the
holy spirits that dwell in the trees. This grand piece of sanctity is believed to be among one of the 27 mosques that were built by Adil Shah in 1560. The first impression rests on a tilted roof standing majestic on a flight of stairs. It's name can easily be replaced with the word obelisk, more because of the eight-sided coloumns adorned by finials on the outer platform of the mosque periphery. Don't forget to visit the holy stone water tank, nestling nearby.
You will be surprised to know that taking a holy dip is prohibited in this sacred aqua cradle! The secret lies in the positioning the underwater arches that can only be felt after you dive into the sacred pool! There are more than fifty Hindu temples within a 10 km radius of Ponda, try to visit as many temples as you can during your holiday trip to this holy city.
Start your pilgrimage itinerary by visiting the famous temple of 'Mahalasa Narayani' situated at a distance of 2 km from the city centre at Mardol. The eloquent Vishnu temple is dominated by a six-storeyed 'deepstambha' - said to be the largest in India - which tells its visitors about the 10 incarnations of the Lord.
You can also see the magnificent 'Garuda' pillar - the half-man half-eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu, which stands on the back of a turtle with Garuda perched on top of it. Remember to visit the Nagesh Temple also spelt as Naguesh Temple, whose deity is an incarnation of Lord Shiva (God of serpents) worshipped only in Goa.
The whole of the periphery fringed with palm trees together with the seven-storeyed painted coloumn in the courtyard is a nice place to roam around in the evening.
Step in the spacious 'Mandapa' (an assembly hall, generally pillared, preceding
the sanctum sanctorum) and listen to the magnificent woodcarvings that narrate
stories from the Hindu epics - 'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata'. The palm adorned land of Goa is dotted with numerous churches that create an impressive sight with lush green surroundings and white architecture. It is a fun to be present in Ponda during the festive time, when the whole city reverberates with chants of holy names.
Remember to touch the Miraculous Cross, known locally as 'Goddar', and plan your travel to Ponda on the 3rd May, when the famous feast of Holy Cross is celebrated here with full gaiety.
Ponda may be the Hindu heartland of Goa, but the feast sees people of all creeds making a solemn trek to the forest checkpost on the winding steps that climb up a steep hill.
The Miraculous Cross, housed in the ornate Church of Holy Cross, behind an intricate screen, is believed to have had a vision of Christ appear on it when it was located in a Goan village. Interestingly, it is thought to have grown in size over the decades. It is said to be able to heal the sick and is kept in a box with a hole on one side so that it can be touched by the devotees.
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