| Far south of Goa is Canacona district - among the last parts of the territory to be included into the Novas Conquistas, and has retained a distinct Hindu feel. It was ceded to the Portuguese by the Raja of Sund in the Treaty of 1791. The area also boasts some of the state's most striking scenery. Set against a backdrop of the jungle-covered Sahyadri hills (extension of the Western Ghat range), a string of pearl-white caves and sweeping beaches briefs its indented coastline. |
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| This is Goa's southernmost taluka. Its capital is Chaudi. It is the gateway to many of Goa's southern tip beaches including Agonda, Palolem and Rajbhag. |
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| Major Attractions |
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| Shree Mallikarjun Temple |
| This temple is situated at Canacona. It is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjun, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It was built in the 16th century and renovated in 1778. The temple contains more than 60 deities of different gods and goddesses inside. It has massive wooden pillars that are exquisitely carved. The main festivals celebrated are Rathasaptami or the chariot festival is celebrated in February and Shigmo in April. |
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| Shree Sanusthan Gokarn Parthagali Jeevotham Math, Parthagali |
| This Math is situated at Parthagali, in Canacona taluka. It is a math of the Gaud Saraswat community, and was established in 1475 by Swamiji Shreemad Narayanateertha. It is headed by a Swamiji, an uninterrupted lineage of over 23 so far. In the campus lies a Banyan tree, considered to be a Tapasya Kshetra, the site of revelation of the inner self by the process of meditation. There are few temples in the campus. |
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| Catigo Wildlife Sanctuary |
| The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, 10-km southeast of Chaudi, was established in 1969 to protect a remote and vulnerable area of forest lining the Goa- Karnataka border. Encompassing 86-sq-kms of mixed deciduous woodland, the reserve is certain to inspire tree lovers. more. |
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| Do you want to explore very deep forests, where you may hardly find sun light on the ground? If yes, then Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary is the most suitable place in Goa |
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Established in 1969 to save the forest lining on the border of Goa and Karnataka, this wildlife sanctuary is spread in 85.65 sq km of mixed deciduous woodland. This wildlife sanctuary inspires all the tree lovers. One river named Talpona flows through the sanctuary, while the other one River Galjibaga runs through the south-eastern boundary of Cotigao.
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| One road passes through the wildlife sanctuary. It is fairly difficult in some areas so it would test your navigational skills. However, cool lush greenery will rejuvenate your senses while your walk through the wildlife sanctuary. Come and enjoy sweet chirping of the birds and other sounds of forests while your trip in the sanctuary |
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| Trek along the mud trails and take a trial at Bhutpal. You can climb 18 m high ladder into a treetop shelter. You will have a picturesque view of waterhole located very near and its scenic surroundings. Walk further to enchanting location of Bela Lake. This lake inside the sanctuary is just 2.5 km from Hathipal Eco-tourism complex. Visit Nature Interpretation Centre which has several Botanical and faunal exhibits as an interesting diversion |
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| Pololem Beach |
| Palolem, 2-km west of Chaudi, pops up more often in glossy holiday brochures than any other beach in Goa more. |
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| If you drove in from the southern state of Karnataka and wanted to discover the nearest, reasonably well-known Goan beach, the chances are that you’d be directed to Palolem. Palolem is a beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. The little wooded islands on the northern headland look interesting but as we’ve never ventured onto any of them we don’t know what landing on them would be like. If you’re interested, try to persuade one of the fishermen — this is also a fishing beach in Palolem Goa— to ferry you across. They do offer to take you out to spot dolphins. Tourists have discovered Palolem and so there are a few shacks selling seafood snacks, souvenirs and clothes of the shapeless, bright, informal kind. Panaji, the capital, is more than 70 km away from Palolem Goa |
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| Cavelosim Beach |
| Sleepy Cavelossim, straddling the coast road 11-km south of Colva, is the last major settlement in southwest Salcete. |
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| Agonda |
| Agonda, 10-km north of Chaudi, can only be reached along the sinuous coast road connecting Cabo De Rama with NH-14 at Chaudi. No signposts mark the turning and few of the tourists that whizz past en route to Palolem pull off here, but the beach, fringed along its entire length by Todi trees, is superb. |
