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The Alorna fort is situated in the village of Alorna which is about 30 km from Mapusa and 10 km east off NH 17 from Malpem in Pernem. It was built by the Bhonsles of Sawantwadi in the 17th century. In

the ... more info » 17th century. The fort had four guns and in the year 1746, the fort was captured by Marquis of Castello Novo (later known as Marquis of Alorna) from the Bhonsles. The possession however was short lived.
In 1781, the fort was again captured by Dom Frederico Guilherme de Souza. It was used to defend against the Maratha attacks from the north.
The fort is presently in a dilapidated condition. It is however a beautiful site to explore as it is perched on the banks of the river Chapora as it flows peacefully towards Colvale.

The Amthane dam lies in a splendid location approximately 20 km from Mapusa. It is not yet developed for tourists and picnickers but is a nice place to unwind. The dam supplies raw water to the

nearby ... more info » Sanquelim water treatment plant. It is not a big one but has a scenic view of the catchment and Sahyadri range beyond from the mouth of the dam.
The Amthane dam can be visited by taking the left side of the fork from the Assonora bridge, instead of driving to Bicholim. For accommodation here one can get an eco resort in Sal that offers food and stay.
Other places to visit include the Tilari dam which is about 20 km from Dodamarg in Maharashtra. The river Chapora also flows nearby. called Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares. The open-air museum recreates Goan rural life as it was a hundred years ago.

The Arvalem or Harvalem waterfalls, which cascades down from the mountains, from a height of 50 metres, is one of the most awe-amazing spots. It is situated at about 2 km from the small town of

Sanquelim and 8 ... more info » from Bicholim, in North Goa.
The Arvalem Waterfall is a very scenic and beautiful picnic spot. This charming waterfall is a mind-blowing experience, with Rudreshwar Temple in its vicinity. The temple holds importance for the Hindus who believe in releasing the soul on the 12th day after death.
While leaving the temple of Rudreshwar, one can descend the staircase to look at a majestic waterfall shedding its exuberant silvery showers. The beautiful Arvalem fall, with a head of about 24 feet high, forms a sizeable lake at the bottom, which offers a sizeable temptation to seasoned swimmers.
The best time to visit this site is just after the copious monsoon when it presents a rapturous, ravishing and riotous aspect. The water flow here during the monsoon is quite less. It has a lot of greenery all round with fruit laden trees with various fruits such as bananas, bread fruits and coconut palms to name a few.
The ancient caves in the vicinity adds a touch of antiquity to this picturesque place, which finds a major attraction for the film makers as a favourite shooting spot. The Rock cut caves are just situated nearby. The Government has also developed a park from which the view of the waterfall can be peacefully relished.

Just passing the town of Sanquelim, there is a detour road leading towards Arvalem Caves. These caves from the 6th century, are quite small, with no articulate sculptures or paintings. The origin of

these caves is uncertain, some believing them to be of Buddhist origin, although the presence of lingas does not justify this statement claiming them to be of Brahmin origin.
They are also claimed to be known as the Pandava caves, signifying the reign of Pandavas here during their 12 year exile as described in the Mahabharata. The shafts of the four carved lingas inside the cave resemble to those found at the famous Elephanta and Ellora caves.
The Arvalem caves are very much patterned in the Buddhist cave style, rock cut into laterite stone, with the sanctuary at the northern end and the vihara at the southern end.
The claim of the caves being of Buddhist origin is a justified statement, mainly due to the discovery of a huge Buddha statue nearby and a 4th century Buddha head found in the Mhamai Kamat house now installed in the Goa State Museum.

Banastarim is also known for the Meta Bridge. The bridge in Banastarim sometimes called the Banastarim Bridge is an important link to the Tiswadi and Ponda taluka as well as to the Mandovi

River. Major of the ... more info » The origin of these caves is uncertain, some believing them to be of Buddhist origin, although the presence of lingas does not justify this statement claiming them to be of Brahmin origin.
They are also claimed to be known as the Pandava caves, signifying the reign of Pandavas here during their 12 year exile as described in the Mahabharata. The shafts of the four carved lingas inside the cave resemble to those found at the famous Elephanta and Ellora caves.
The Arvalem caves are very much patterned in the Buddhist cave style, rock cut into laterite stone, with the sanctuary at the northern end and the vihara at the southern end.
The claim of the caves being of Buddhist origin is a justified statement, mainly due to the discovery of a huge Buddha statue nearby and a 4th century Buddha head found in the Mhamai Kamat house now installed in the Goa State Museum.

Situated next to the Mahalaxmi temple, the Boca de Vaca spring is one of the two springs that exist in Panaji Goa. The appearance of this Portuguese - built structure that remains aglow with soft

decorative .light in the evening gives it a name 'Boca De Vaca' literally meaning 'the face of the cow'.
The floor of the well-lit tunnel inside is made of transparent glass and one can see the spring water flowing under your feet. Background Music is also there. Earlier the Boca de Vaca spring was known to be a major source of supply of water to the city. However even today the people of Panaji queue up here with buckets to use the water, as it is known to have medicinal properties. It is also used for drinking by the people of Panjim.

The military or the British cemetery was built in Goa in 1802 by the British. It is considered to be more than 180 years old and is the only reminder of the British occupation of the territory of Goa during

the Napoleonic period. During the Napoleonic wars from 1799 to 1813, the British military cemetery was built to serve the purpose of a British garrison of Rs.10, 000 men who were stationed at Fort Cabo to prevent Goa from falling into French hands.
The cemetery has 56 gravestones and 47 tombstones, the earliest that date to 1808 and the last to 1912. It can be reached by taking the road connecting the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) with the Raj Bhawan.
Near the British cemetery one can visit the Cabo Raj Bhavan also known as the Governor's Palace, which is the official residence of the governor of Goa. Also one can visit the Our Lady of Cabo church that is situated nearby.

Cabo de Rama is situated 16 km north of Agonda in the coast road at the south end of Colva Bay. Also known as The Cape of Rama, it takes its name from the Hindu epic Ramayana hero, Lord Rama as

according the Hindu belief Lord Rama during his exile from Ayodhya stayed here. The cape is crowned by a fort which was originally a Hindu structure and rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1763 after acquiring it from the Maratha ruler of Sonda. It had 21 guns for its defense, a chapel, military barracks and quarters for the use of the commandant under the Portuguese.
Also a well was there within the fort and from one of the two springs that it had in its vicinity, cold and hot water used to emerge from two different spouts. It was used as a prison till 1955 after it was taken over by the British from 1792 to 1813. The main entrance has been restored and yellow washed but the fort now lies in ruins.

Situated at the end of a narrow cape where the Mandovi and Zuari rivers merge into the sea, the Cabo Raj Bhavan also known as the Governor's Palace, is the official residence of the governor of

Goa. After the liberation of Goa it came to be known as the Cabo Raj Niwas.
Built in 1540 AD the Cabo Raj Bhavan was called 'Palacio de Cabo' in the Portuguese times and was the residence of the Governor General. A chapel that is about 500 years old is situated at the corner of the Raj Bhavan, the feast of which is held on 15 August and a big fair is held.
The Raj Bhavan palace was originally built as a fortress to monitor and control the entry of vessels at the mouth of the Mandovi and Zuari rivers and to guard them. It has a fine collection of antique artifacts like Bohemian glass chandeliers and Chinese Porcelain and it is a double story structure. It was taken as the residence of the Governor General in 1866.
At the Cabo Raj Bhavan site one can also visit a small church that was founded in 1541 by the Portuguese which is known as the Our Lady of Cabo church.

Welcome to Calizz, a heritage site seeing place of Goan life through the ages. At Calizz (Which means 'HEART' in Konkani) you will discover the soul of Goa. Spread across several acres by the Candolim

beach, ... more info » it is a veritable treasure trove of artifacts. All belonging to the private collection of Shri Laxmikant Prabhakar Kudchadkar. "Calizz" - "The Heart of Goa" When I was a child I was always fascinated by the stories of the past told by my parents and teachers. I always use to imagine that one day I would make a time machine to go back in time to experience the life of people of the past and their way of living. As I grew older my fascination faded with time but the curiosity to spend a day in the history remained somewhere in my heart.
So began my journey of exploration to find the places of historical importance all over India. When I visited Goa I never thought that my childhood dream would become a reality and I would discover something which would enrich my vision of history such as my visit to "Calizz" has.
"Calizz" is a place which cannot be defined in a few words. It is one of a kind in the world, situated in Candolim "the nerve center of tourism activities in Goa". "Calizz" which means Heart in the local language Konkani spoken widely all over Goa is a perfect mélange of old and new traditions, beliefs and architectural influences, not only that it is a veritable treasure trove of artifacts and antiques all belonging to the private collection of a man with a vision of innovation Shri Laxmikant Prabhakar Kudchadkar.
Let us take a peak into the ostentatious world of imagination. At the entrance of calizz there are two refurbished colonial mansions which were built in the Portuguese-era in the year 1804. The architecture of the mansions at "Calizz" is a perfect blend of Indian and European styles. The mansions are as much as an example of intelligent conservations as it is an evocation of the past, using a carefully selected furniture and art while providing comforts unknown in the 18th century. The walls remain lime-stucco plaster, while the roof covered with Manglorian tiles.
The main house in the Portuguese era was built by a lady known as Dona Bertha who lived in this mansion with her three sons and a daughter, she was a lady with values and respect for the old customs and ethics set by the ancestors. She followed one tradition which was not known to many people in those days, according to this custom she gave one of her sons to the people (who became a doctor), one to the God(who became a priest), one to the devil (who became a Lawyer).
The main house is bifurcated into two sections the residence of the family and the consultancies of the lawyer and the doctor. The large and spacious rooms in "Calizz" retain the old flavor using period furniture and elegantly furnished with antiques. The rooms have beautiful frescoes on the walls and stenciled borders at the entrance at each door. In coastal Goa, where the sea, the sand and a sunny climate encourage a languid pace of life, verandhas and patios are a defining part of the architecture, designed and built to catch the welcome breeze and to encourage much family activity to take place outside.
Goa is endowed with the unique sea-port advantage of a highly indented coastline with a deep draft and trading in those days was done from Goa to various places all around Europe and To learn the importance of the trading in the Portuguese Goa there is a Tobacco house which was used for the trading of Tobacco which was undertaken by the family members of Dona Bertha as a part of the family tradition of following a trade which was started by the ancestors. The Tobacco house explains the various tools which were used for the trading of tobacco as Goa was a major port of Asia from where various things were traded and it was the first European colony which was made in Asia. Following the Tobacco house is the Carpenter's hut which shows the vision of a Carpenter who played an important role in the completion of the goan houses as it was a job of creating a masterpiece of art from wood. The last house of the Portuguese era is the fisherman's hut which accompanied by a very old boat which was used for shipping in the olden days.
After the completion of the tour of the Portuguese era comes the most interesting part of "Caliz" "The Pre Portuguese era” it is a platform which explains the difference in the culture and customs and the architecture of the houses. The first house in this era belongs to "Laxmibai" wife of a Hindu Brahmin. In Hindu houses there was no concept of privacy as it is in the western world this reflected in the open plan of the house and in the use assigned to one room used for various household functions. Spaces in the house were flexible and were put to use as the occasion demanded it. Goan Hindus had a very little furniture within the house almost all the activities were carried out on the floor on "mats", "patts" or "baithaks". This minimal use of furniture further accentuated the flexibility of interiors. The Hindu concept of a house is that of the Universe as an ordered division of space ranging from vulnerable to sacred areas, Goans happily embrace the cycle which links humankind with nature and the universe. Pollution has to be kept at a bay. This involves controlling access to the sacred space. Women may not enter during her monthly periods; indeed she is usually confined in a secluded room.
Women prepare and cook food crouching at ground level. There is no dining room, the Thali (little tray) of food is carried to the menfolk wherever they may be. When the men have eaten food the women can follow suit. On formal occasions diners sit cross legged on mats their Thali placed on a Chauki (low wooden platform) before them. At the entrance of laxmibai's house is a Swing or a Jhoola often used in Hindu rituals as the to and fro movement is said to signify a state of bliss and detachment from the everyday cares of the mortal world.
Last house of the pre Portuguese era is the landlord Gopala Pilgaonkar's house which shows the influence of various dynasties which ruled Goa before the arrival of the Portuguese It also shows the glimpses of Hindu mythology in different forms and the methodology which is used is very simple in the form of small theaters with sound and light systems. In addition to this is the gallery of Raja Ravi Varma, he was an Indian painter who achieved recognition for his depiction of scenes from the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. His paintings are considered to be among the best examples of the fusion of Indian traditions with the techniques of European academic art. In Goa people happily embrace the cycle which links humankind with nature and the universe.

The Ancestral Goa museum/ exhibition is situated in the small village of Loutolim which is about 10 km from Margao and 25 km from Panaji. The musuem is also known as big foot. It is privately run by an

artist ... more info » At Ancestral Goa there are a number of places to visit such as an art gallery where one can see work done by local children and artists of State and National fame. There is a handicraft centre where one can get some locally made Goan artificats, Big Foot dance floor, Big Foot restaurant, a cross, a spring known as Boca da Vaca, a bird habitat, a spice yard, rubber plantations and lots more.
In this model village one can also see different miniature houses that showcase traditional occupation and social classes such as fishermen, Goan artisans, a Music school known as Escola da Musica, farmers, liquors shops, the village market, and a feni distillery.
The main highlight however at Ancestral Goa is the giant 14 meter sculpture of Sant Mirabai carved in 30 days by MJA Alavres the enterprising artist cum museum owner. This has been cited in the Limca book of records for being the longest laterite sculpture in India.
At Ancestral Goa one is accompanied by a guide who explains the exhibits. Also one can purchase souvenirs on the way out from the handicraft centre. The museum is open on all days from 9 am to 6 pm and has a small entry fee.