| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Ponda Tourist Attractions |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| Nagesh Temple |
| The Nagesh Temple is situated 4km west of Ponda. Nagesh or the ‘God of Serpents’ refers to Shiva (Destroyer of the Universe). The temple was built in 1413. The mandapa (an assembly hall, generally pillared, preceding the sanctum sanatorium) has woodcarvings that narrate stories from the Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata. The temple compound also houses a five-storeyed deepstambha. Not far from the Nagesh Temple, is located the Mahalakshmi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga (the Goddess of War). According to the date inscribed in Marathi on the temple, the monument could have been built in 1413 |
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| The assembly hall of the temple has pillars with intricate woodcarvings. These carvings, that have been colourfully painted, narrate stories from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. On either side of the sanctum are ancillary shrines of Lakshmi- Narayan and Lord Gasnesh. |
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| Beside the Naguesh temple one can see a five-storied deepstambh (lamp tower). Niched on the lower half of the tower is brightly painted deities. The centuries old water tank is also worth looking at. The most important festival that is commemorated here during the month of November is the Anguish Satrap. Also the eight-day Kartik Poornima, Chaitra Poornima and Mahashivratri are celebrated. |
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| 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 |
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| Up in the lush foothills of the Western Ghats, Bondla is good place to see Sambhar and Wild Boar. It is smallest of the Goan Wildlife Sanctuaries. Its area is 8-sq-kms but easiest one to reach. Situated 55-km from Panajim and 38-km from Margoa, the sanctuary includes a Botanical Garden, fenced Deer Park and Zoo, which is better than most, with reasonably spacious enclosures |
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| The zoo was originally established to house orphaned animals, but it's now also breeding colony for large species of deer. It covers 8-sq-kms of deciduous forest Bondla is a miniature zoo of caged animals and birds and a popular picnic destination for locals. Elephant rides are an attraction here |
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| The hills to the southeast are populated by Monkeys, Wild Boar, Deer, Gaur, Langurs, Jackals, Pythons, and Leopards. Bondla is also another bird-watching haven like its counterparts at Chorao and Cotigao. Rangado river flows on the east of this forest and Madhel on its north. Bondla forest nest Bison, Wild Beer, Deer, Leopard, various types of serpent and birds. On to its way, the only mosque Safa Shahouri Masjid built by Ali Adilshah in 1560 can be seen at Ponda |
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| Safa Masjid |
| The Safa Shahouri Masjid, the biggest and most famous of the 27 mosques in Ponda taluka was built in 1560 by Ibrahim Adilshan of Bijapur. Adjacent to the Mosque is a well-constructed masonry tank with small chambers with 'meharab' designs. |
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| The mosque and the tank were formerly surrounded by an extensive garden with many fountains. They were destroyed during the Portuguese rule. |
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| The two major festivals Id-Ul-Fitr and Id-Ul-Zuha are celebrated at this mosque with great pomp and are attended by a large number of people. |
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| 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 |
