Goa, the land of beaches, is a tourist's delight. It has a coastline of 100 kms and owns some of the most sort after beaches in India or for that matter in the world. The beaches of Goa have beautiful views to offer that ignites one's senses. Goa offers beaches according to your liking – crowded, not-so- crowded and some isolated or virgin beaches also. Starting from the most popular beach in Goa, Anjuna beach, which is one of the most crowded beaches in Goa, is a shopper's delight. It's Wednesday flea market is very famous. Other important beaches in Goa are Vagator beach, Miramar beach, Colva beaches, Dona Paula beach, Arambol beach, Benaulim beach, Bogmalo beach, Calangute beach, Chapora beach, Mabor, Majorda and many more exciting beaches.
 

Sri Saptakoteeswara Temple, Goa
As one tries to return to Panaji from Harvalem, one can visit the famous temple of Sri Saptakoteshwar Naroa, Bicholim. Sri Saptakoteshwara was the patron deity of the Kadambas who had built a beautiful temple dedicated to this deity at the Diwar Island.
The invading foreign rulers destroyed the temple and built a chapel dedicated to Candelaria in 1641 AD. The image of Sri Saptakoteshwara was shifted to Naroa by the devotees then. It was Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who ordered renovation of the temple in 1668.
Despite their external grandeur and magnificence being tested by the vagaries of time; their spiritual effulgence is still illumining the paths of the earnest seekers. The Shiva temples built at Tambdisurla and Naven-Bicholim are testifying to the rulers' devotional zeal and their care for public zeal.
 

Sri Ananta Temple, Goa
This is one of the famous temples situated in Ponda Taluka at Sovoi Verem a few km from Marcela. This is the only temple of Ananata in Goa. It is surrounded on all sides by water and beautiful scenery. Besides the main deity Anant Sheshashayi, the complex also has Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush temples.
The idol of Ananta is carved in black stone. Though the structure of the temple is small it is quite inviting. The pillar decoration is very minute and full of intricate designs. The brass stand on the lamp the special illumination stands or "Deepmala" are sacred objects of worship.
 

Sri Bhagavati And Sri Sapteshwar Temples
Not far from Morjim are two temples namely, Bhagavati and Parshem and Sapteshwar Bhagamati at Mandrem in Pernem Taluka.
The principal festival observed are the 7 days "Bhajanisaptah" at Mandrem, which is celebrated in Kartika. The Zatra, Dussehra and "Shimgo" are other festivals, which are attended by large crowds. Surrounding the main temples can be seen some exquisitely sculptured ancillary deities.
 

Sri Chandreshwar Temple
On way back from Zambaulim one can take a slight diversion at Paroda to proceed to the Chandranath hill and climb the huge granite steps to reach to the temple of Sri Chandreshwar.The South Goa Bhojas worshipped the deity years before the Christian era till the middle of the 8th century AD.
The temple has the famous Shiva Linga, which was supposed to ooze water with the touch of moonlight.
The temple atop the hill has been designed in such a way, that moonlight directly falls on the Shiva Linga on the full moon night. One can have a birds' eye view of a long ending green valley of Salcete and Quepem Taluka from the Chandranath hill.
 

Sri Devaki Krishna Temple, Goa
3-km away from Banastari Bridge on Panaji -Ponda Road is situated the noteworthy temple dedicated to Devaki Krishna at Marcel. The deity is said to have been brought from Chorao in Tiswadi to Mayem in Bicholim and then shifted to its present place during the days of religious persecution by the alien rulers.
The Garbha Griha contains the beautiful idol of Devaki and Lord Krishna. The idol of Devaki is in standing posture with a child Krishna, sitting astride her hip. This particular pose is considered to be unique in Goa. The idols are beautifully carved in black stone. The major festival is Malni Purnima from Paush Vadya is celebrated over here with great fervour and excitement.
 

Sri Kalika Temple, Goa
One of the most important Hindu monuments in North Goa is the temple dedicated to Sri Kalika situated in the Gillage Kansarpal near Assonora, a few kilometers away from the Mapusa town. The Daivadnya Brahmans are the main devotes of this deity. A huge gold "Kalash" atop the dome of the temple beckons thousands of devotees and inquisitive visitors to this otherwise secluded place.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, which is the Rudra form of Goddess Durga. The temple represents a fine blend of aesthetics and architectural designs.
 

Sri Kamakshi Temple, Goa
About 12-km from Kavalem is situated another important religious monument which is dedicated to Sri Kamakashi. The deity is believed to have come from Kamakhya, Guwahati in Assam, which is her original abode.
In Goa, the original location of Sri Kamakshi temple was Raia in Salcete Taluka. But the deity was subsquently shifted to Shiroda village in Ponda Taluka due to religious persecution by alien rulers.
The place where temple is has an ancient name "Shivagram". Of the smaller temples present in the complex there is the one dedicated to Lord "Rayeshwara". People irrespective of religious faith and hailing originally from Raia, still venerate Sri Kamaksha.
 

Sri Mahadev Bhumika Temple
Just 5-km from Kasarpal is another temple complex with beautiful natural surroundings at village Sal, which is soon going to be converted into a tourist village.
The Festivity
The temple is famous all over Goa and Sindhudurg district for its annual festival of "Gade", which is a three-day religious affair from Phalgun Vadya 1 to 3. Devotees believe that people can have Darshan of 'Devchar' at night during the festival and hence the Gade attracts huge crowds even from urban areas of Goa.

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