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Margao was prosperous settlement even before the arrival
of the Portuguese and it was an important centre for trade, learning and
religious activities. The town was founded in the Portuguese pattern along
the sweeping curves, around the Holy Spirit Church.
Today the new buildings have mushroomed everywhere but
this pleasant provincial town still displays many reminders of its
Portuguese past.
Location : 33 kms from Panaji
Attractions : Town Square, Church Square, Monte Hill, Grace Church,
St. Sebastian Chapel, Damodar Temple, Hari Mandir etc.
Best Time to Visit : October to March |
Tourist Attractions in Margao
Town Square
Situated at the heart of Margao, the Town Square is a perfect place to enjoy
natural beauty. To find a heaven of peace visit the two gardens - Municipal
Garden and Aga Khan Park, which are separated by a walkway. The Municipal
Garden is in front of the Municipality building and the Agha Khan Park is
located towards the Post Office. A Statue of Luis de Menezes Bragance stands
at the Municipal end of the Municipality Garden.
Apart from housing the
council, the Municipal Building has a well-stocked Public Library, with
books in various languages like Hindi, English, Marathi, Konkani and
Portuguese. The Library timings are 9 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 6.30 pm and the
reading hall of the library is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
Church Square
The Church Square or Largo da Igreja is the most attractive part of Margao
and one of its two tourist hotspots. Church Square is a Latin Quarter with
many magnificent colonial buildings. The Church of the Holy Spirit is the
major attraction of Church Square. Initially built by the Jesuits in 1564,
the church was very soon destroyed by Adil Shah's army in 1571. Makeshift
repairs were carried out much later in 1645 and completed by 1675.
A fine
example of Indian Baroque, the Church of the Holy Spirit has a beautiful
dome and towers on either side. Its interior is worth seeing, especially the
altars and the exterior is also a feast for the eyes. In the vicinity of
this church there are several gracious old houses, famous among them is Sat Burnzam Ghor, the ancestral home of Eurico da Silva. Earlier a seven gabled
house, da Silva's Sat Burnzam Ghor has only three houses now.
Monte Hill
If you like a spectacular view then follow the road from Largo da Igreja to
reach the top of Monte Hill. From the courtyard of the Monte Chapel, you can
take the magnificent view of the Salcete countryside. Monte Hill can be
reached by motorcycle taxi.
Grace Church
The Grace Church is a modern structure situated on Varde Valaulikar Road.
The most interesting feature of this church is the rare crucifix of the
resurrected Jesus Christ. The statue is drapped in a shroud, with arms
outstretched towards the congregation, and the crown of thorn is absent. The
timings of the church are 7 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm.
St. Sebastian Chapel
Locally known as Pandava Chapel, this Chapel has recently been given the
status of a church. St. Sebastian Chapel was named as Pandava Chapel because
a group of ancient caves were located behind this. These ancient caves are
now heritage monuments protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Timings of the Chapel are 9.30 am to 1 pm and 4.30 pm to 6 pm.
Margao's Temples
Hari Mandir and Damodar Temple are the two popular temples of Margao. These
temples are not separate structures, actually they are rooms in two
individual houses. The Damodar Temple also known as Damodar Sal, is housed
in the Naik Family Residence on Abade Faria Road. Damodar Temple is renowned
as the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed before his departure to Chicago
to attend the Parliament of Religions.
The Hari Mandir is located on
Martires Dias Road and occupies a single rooms at one end of the office
building. Other notable temples are a small modern Ram Nandir and the Vithal
Temple at Comba Ward.
Tourist Attractions Around Margao
Rachol Seminary
Just 8 kms from Margao, the Rachol Seminary is perched atop a picturesque
hillock. The Rachol Seminary trains young Goan men for the priesthood. The
history says that the Portuguese originally built this as a Church in 1521,
and later it was converted into a fortress and prison. In 1609, Portugal
King Sebastian ordered the establishment of monastery to train Goan Jeuist
priests for spreading Christianity.
However, the history of Rachol Seminary
goes before the advent of Portuguese. Excavations reveal that there was
Shaivite Temple initially which was replaced by a Muslim Fort that later
fell to the Portuguese. You can see the remains of the fort in the form of a
gate and moat.
Loutolim
Loutolim is located at a distance of 10 kms from Margao. The home of
cartoonist Mario Miranda's mansion is the prime attraction of this place.
Apart from Mario Miranga's mansion, the traditional Goan country mansions
and Ancestral Goa are other major attraction. Loutolim is an open-air museum
that depicts the Goan life centuries ago.
At Loutolim Maendra Alvares, the
curator/ creator, has made several life-sized figures and stone sculpture of
Goan fisherfolk. The highlights of Ancestral Goa is the stone sculpture of
Sant Mirabai and a restaurant serving exotic Goan cuisine.
Chandor
Chandor is a small village situated 13 kms away from Margao. The Menezes
Braganza house is the highlight of this Salcete village. The sheer scale,
proportions of the exterior and the magnificent interior make Menezes
Braganza the grandest mansion in Goa. Built by the Braganza family in the
16th century, it is a double storeyed structure. The building has 28 windows
fitted with mother-of-pearl shells.
The east wing occupied by the Braganza
Pereiras is a fascinating blend of 18th century furniture, in-laid with
mother- of- pearl and tarnished silver. The west wing occupied by the
Menezes Braganzas, has the impressive collection of antique furniture,
stained glass windows and chandeliers.
Shopping in Margao
The markets of Margao mostly offer agricultural products. In addition to
agricultural products you can buy fruit and vegetables, wines, baked goods,
cloths, hardware or appliances or pots and pans. If you are not interested
in shopping just stroll around and enjoy a quietly festive atmosphere.
Places Where You Can Stay
Margao is the commercial hub of Goa so the hotels in the city are more
functional than posh. Most of the hotels in Margao are conveniently located
close to the railway station.
4 Star Hotel : Dona Sylvia Resort
3 Star Hotel : Nanutel Margao
Economy Hotel : Goa Woodlands Hotel
Other Hotels : Hotel La Flor, Hotel Paulino, Hotel Red Roof, Hotel Saaj,
Margao Residency, Sincro Hotel.
How to Reach
By Air : Dabolim airport is the nearest airport, which is 30 kms away
from Margao. Flights of Indian airlines as well as private airlines are
available to Dabolim from major cities of India. Margao is well-served by
KTC shuttle buses.
By Train : Margao is one of the major railway stations in the state
of Goa. The trains of Konkan railway connect Margao with the cities like
Mumbai, Mangalore etc. Taxis are available outside the station to various
places of Margao.
By Bus : Margao is situated on National Highway 17 at a distance of
33 kms from Panaji and 626 kms from Mumbai. From Margao, luxury buses run to
Panaji, Colva and other places of Goa on hourly buses.
Local Transport : Motorbikes are quickest and the most preferred mode
of local transport. You can pick up motorbikes on rent outside the bus stand
to visit the beaches around Margao.
Following Goa Tourist Destinations
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