Location:
Ponda Taluka, North Goa
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Highlights: Sri Shantadurga Temple, Sri Mangueshi Temple, Bondla
Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Dudhsagar Falls
Main Languages: Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, English
Main Religions: Hinduism, Christianity and Islam
STD Code: 0832
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.
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.
Ponda Tourist Attractions
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Reach
By Air: The Dabolim airport is nearest to Ponda city in Goa.
From the airport you can hire a cab to reach the required destination.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is at Margao at a distance
of 17 kilometers from Ponda.
By Road: Ponda is well connected to all major places in Goa by a
wide network of roads. One can reach Ponda from neighboring state of
Karnataka by taking the National highway 4A.
