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 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.
 

Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, Goa
The temple tour can be resumed by offering prostrations unto Goddess Mahalakshmi, the presiding deity of Panaji, the capital of Goa. The main temple has been reconstructed recently. The main festivals at this temple are Navaratri and Chaitra Purnima.
A kilometre away and perched on the Altinho hillock overlooking the Mandovi River is the temple of Sri Maruti, which is equally patronised by the city dwellers. The Maruti Zatra in the month of February draws large crowds of devotees from far and near.
 

Sri Manguesh Temple, Goa
Sri Manguesh temple at Mangueshi in Ponda Taluka, the most prominent among temples, is situated along the National Highway-4A about 23-km from Panaji. This temple is famous for its pristine glory, which attracts thousands of visitors every year and is gifted by the Welcome Gate, an elegant lamp tower, a "Noubatkhana" overlooking the temple tank and the "Agrashalas" on three sides.
Although the Sri Manguesh temple originally stood in a secret location in Cortalim, and was moved to its present site between Mardol and Priol during the 16th century, the structure visitors see today dates from the 1700s.
The temple is small yet grand with all the component of a Hindu temple, like the Prakara, mini shrines, Garbha Griha, grand towers and spacious courtyards. The entire complex, due to outlandish impact looks like a Gurdwara or palatial mansion, but when entering the complex, one finds our Hindu traditional gods and their accommodation according to Shastric injunctions. Devout worship is offered to this deity by its citizens and tourists as well. Festivals and periodical devotional activities are conducted with great zeal commendable.
 

Sri Naguesh Temple, Goa
The Naguesh temple with old scriptures on stone at Nagueshim, the Mahalakshmi at Nagueshim Bandora, the Ramnath temples at Ramnathi and Shantadurgta temple at Kavalem. The Ganesh temple has been bequeathed to posterity but the temple was subsequently renovated in the days of Chatrapati Shahu, the Maratha ruler of Satara.
The galleries of the Sabhamantapa contain exquisite specimen of intricate woodcarvings of famous episodes from Ramayana on one side and wooden images of "Astadikpal" and "Gandharva".
 

Sri Navdurga Temple, Goa
9-km to the east of Ponda in the village Marcaim amidst sylvan background is situated the temple of Navdurga. The temple is said to be about 500 years old and was renovated in 1603 AD.
In the centre or Garbhagriha of the temple is a stone idol of the Goddess placed on a raised platform. The idol in standing position is four feet and her peculiarity lies in her pose; that is her neck which is slightly bent to the left and she is in the form of "Mahisasurmardini".
The annual fair from Kartika Vadya 4 to 10 is considered to be a religious gathering in which people participate in large number.
As one proceeds further, one comes across a string of beautiful temples nestling amidst swaying palms and abundant greenery. They include the Ganesh Temple at Farmagudi, which is known for the visit of Maratha warrior "Sambhaji".
 

Sri Ramnathi Temple, Goa
Situated close to the temple of Naugesh is the temple of Ramnathi. The deity is incarnation of Lord Shiva and is equally revered by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites.
Lord Ramnath is the form of Shiva worshipped by Lord Rama before embarking on the Sri Lanka campaign to free Goddess Sita from the clutches of Ravana. It is famous for its serene atmosphere. The temple was built around 1566 AD and was renovated in 1905. The "Sabhamantapa", however, is a recent addition.
 

Sri Shantadurga Temple
There is the famous temple of Sri Shantadurga the goddess of peace who is said to have settled a quarrel between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu amicably. Sri Shantadurga is worshipped all over Goa and scores of temples have been devoted to this deity. At several places it is known by several names, "Thamai", "Sateri", "Bhumka", "Adimaya" and others.
Situated at the foothill of Kavalem, the Shantadurga temple boasts of a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas. The temple was built in 1728 AD during the reign of Shahu Maharaj of Satara at the request of one of his ministers, Naro Ram Mantri.
The original site of Sri Shantadurga temple is Kardelivana of Quelossim in Mormugao Taluka, where the great bard Krishnadas Shama penned the epic "Sri Krishna Charita" probably in the 14th century on the lines of Dnyaneshwari.
 

Sri Vithal Temple, Goa
Jthe famous Sri Vithal temple situated on the bank of Valvanta River.
The temple was reconstructed in 1942 AD, incorporating the North India style of temple architecture though sanctum-sanctorium was left untouched. The main festivities at the temple are held during the nine days preceding "Chairtra Purnima".
An exquisitely carved wooden chariot symbolising the chariot of Arjuna of Mahabharata and driven by Lord Krishna is an important attraction of the temple complex.