Marmagoa Vacations
Distance : 34km from Panaji,
4km from Vasco da Gama
Close to the important industrial town of Vasco da Gama
lies the main port of Goa, in Marmagoa. The town has some industries
and not very much else besides the highly dilapidated ruins of a fort,
and an ironic history, which classifies it as ‘the town that
never was’. Well, leaving the dramatics aside, Marmagoa was the
site that was first chosen to be the capital of the Portuguese Empire.
This is why, in 1685, the construction of the fort started along with
the founding of a township. The Viceroy even moved to Marmagoa in
1703, but the Maratha warriors (term used for Shivaji and other Hindus
originating from Maharashtra, who fought against foreign rulers)
attacked the site repeatedly, and Old Goa was made the capital
instead. Thus Marmagoa is more or less the Fatehpur Sikri of Goa. But
with the harbour starts another lore. One can take a brake in Marmagoa
and spend part of the Goa vacations to enjoy the the port activities,
the port is one of India’s finest natural harbours. If you have
it in you to extricate yourself from the beaches, a sunset walk around
the harbour can be a pleasant change.
¤ Tambdi Surla
Distance : 69km from Panaji
Situated in west Goa, the Mahadeva Temple in Tambdi Surla, is the
state’s only prominent reminder of the pre-Portuguese temple
architecture. Maintained by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India),
this 12th century temple boasts of some fine reliefs on the shikhara
(spire) depicting a plethora of gods and goddesses. Do not miss the
impressive carved wall near the entrance, and the chiselled monolith
pillars on your travel vacations in Marmagoa. |
