Se Cathedral
The
Se Cathedral in Old Goa built in Portuguese- Gothic style of architecture
is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. It is also known as Chapel of
St Catherine and St Catherine’s Cathedral. Constructed between 1562 - 1640,
it is the largest church in Old Goa and the largest in Asia with a barrel
vaulted ceiling. It took nearly 80 years to complete the church. The church
is the prestigious seat of the archdiocese of Goa. The cathedral has eight
chapels and fifteen altars dedicated to several identities like Our Lady of
Hope, Our Lady of Anguish and Our Lady of Three Needs and so on. The main
altar has carved frames depicting scenes from the life of St. Catherine and
a majestic crucifix. On the right, is the chapel of the Cross of Miracles,
where a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1919. The cathedral
tower house has a huge bell known as the Golden Bell.
Church of St. Cajetan
The church of St.Cajetan in Old Goa, is located about 1/2 kms to the north
east of the Se Cathedral. Built in 1661 by the Italian friars of the Theatine
order, it is said to have been modeled on the original design of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine
Providence, but was named after St. Cajetan, founder of the Theatine order and
a contemporary of St Francis Xavier. The entire church is built of laterite
blocks and plastered with lime. It has two towers on either side to serve as
belfry. Besides the main altar there are six altars, three on each side of the
church.
Church of St Francis of Assisi
The Convent and Church of St Francis of Assisi is located to the west of Se Cathedral, Old Goa. The church which have been constructed in 1517-1521
AD, was demolished and rebuilt in 1661 retaining only the exquisitely carved
old gate made of black stone. The architecture is a blend of the Tuscan style
on the exterior and the mosaic-Corinthian style on the interior. The church
displays decorative paintwork and woodcarving and the floor is inlaid with
elaborately engraved tombstones depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis.
The convent at the back of the church which has been started in 1517 by Franciscan
friars was converted to an archaeological museum.
Basilica of Bom Jesus 
Basilica of Bom Jesus is a fine example of Jesuit architecture and has emerged
as a landmark in the history of Christianity. This world renowned church which
contains the body of St. Francis Xavier is located in Old Goa, 10kms east of
Panaji. The saint, was a pupil of the soldier- turned - saint, Ignatius Loyola,
the founder of the Order of Jesuits. The foundation stone of the church was
laid on 1594 and was completed in the year 1605. In 1946 the church was raised
to the status of a minor Basilica. read
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The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary also known as the Church of St Mary
of Rosary is located atop the western side of the Monte Santo (Holy Hill) of
Old Goa. This oldest surviving church in Goa is believed to be built in 1543
by De Albuquerque as a sign of gratitude for his victory. It is a fine specimen
of Manueline style of architecture which is a blend of Gothic and Renaissance
architecture. It was here that St. Francis Xavier taught Catechism in the evenings
and due to this people of Goa have special reverence for the church. The church
contains two chapels and three altars, of which the main altar that has motifs
of cashews, mangoes and flowers is dedicated to our Lady of the Rosary.
A feast of the church is held every year in November.
Church of Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception 
Located at the heart of Panaji to the south of the Secretariat is the Church
of our Lady of Immaculate Conception. Also known as the Church of Mary Immaculate
Conception, it is one of the most popular tourist destination of Panaji. The
church originally built in 1541, and enlarged and rebuilt in 1619, is
a white edifice topped with a huge bell that stands in between two delicate
Baroque style towers. The bell known as the 'Bell of the Inquisition' is the
second largest in Goa, which was brought from its original site Church of Our
Lady of Grace (Augustinian monastery) in Old Goa. The church is renowned for
its symmetrical, crisscrossing stairway and is the venue of the Feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated annually
in December.
Reis Magos Church
Reis Magos, a small village famed for two landmarks i.e the Reis Magos fort
and Reis Magos Church, lies on the banks of river Mandovi in Bardez taluk, North
Goa. The church also known as the church of the Three Magi Kings is located
at the base of the fort. Built in 1555 by the Franciscan missionaries, it was
dedicated to St. Jerome. Interior of the church is quite colourful and impressive.
The highlight o f the church is the elaborately carved multi-coloured wood relief
showing the Three Wise Men (Reis Magos) bearing gifts to the baby Jesus which
is places behind the high altar. The feast of the Reis Magos is held every year
in the month of January.
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Church of St. Anne
Church of St. Anne is located on the banks of Siridao River in the tiny
village of Talaulim (Santana), near Old Goa. The church dedicated to Mother Mary is an excellent masterpiece of Indian baroque architecture with a touch
of European flavor. Though the construction was started in 1577 by Monsignor
Francisco de Rego, it was completed by Rev. Fr. Antonio Francisco da Cunha
in 1695. In 1931, the church was declared a National monument. The festivity
of St Anne known as Touceachem Fest (Cucumber Feast) that falls on July 26 is
celebrated through out Goa with great enthusiasm.
The Chapel Of Our Lady Of The Mount
Constructed in the year 1510 AD by Alfonso De Albuquerque, the Chapel of our
Lady of the Mount is located in Old Goa, Panaji. Situated in a picturesque surrounding,
atop a hill, it is one among the important tourist spots in Goa. The chapel which was reconstructed twice has three
main altars dedicated to Our lady of the Mount, St. Anthony and St. Andrew. A series of
steps lead to the Chapel.
Holy Spirit Church
The Church of the Holy spirit also known as Largo de Igreja is situated in
Margao in Salcete Taluk, about 33kms from Panaji. The original church
built by Jesuit missionaries in 1564 was destroyed in 1571 but was rebuilt in
1645 and consecrated in 1675. This notable edifice is one of the fine
examples of Indian Baroque style of architecture. The pristine white church consists
of towers on either side with a central dome structure. The heavily decorated
altars are dedicated to Immaculate Conception of Mary, St Peter and St. Michael.
Church of Our Lady of Mercy
The magnificent Church of Our Lady of Mercy is situated at Colva, 39kms
from Panaji. The church which houses the miraculous statue of Menino Jesuse
(Child Jesus) was originally constructed in 1630 and was rebuilt in the
eighteenth century. It is also famous for its annual religious event 'Fama of
Menino Jesuse' which is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of October every year.
Church and Convent of Saint Monica
The convent of Saint Monica also known as Royal Monastery is located on the
holy hill, Old Goa. Built between 1606-1627, this a three-storied laterite
building destroyed in a fire in 1636 and re-built the following year. The
church in the monastery is dedicated to St. Mary. The building also houses a
training institute for nuns which was inaugurated in 1964.
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Temples
Shri Mangesh Temple, Priol
Shri Mangesh Temple, also known as Mangireesh, Manguesh or Mangueshi,
is one among the famous temples in Goa. Dedicated to Mangueshi - an incarnation
of Lord Shiva, this temple on a hillock is located at Priol in Ponda taluka,
about 21 kms from Panaji. To avoid destruction by the Portuguese, devotees shifted
the deity (the Shiva linga) from the original temple at Kushasthali (present
day Cortalim) to the present location. The temple which is believed to be built
around 1744, has been rebuilt and has undergone several renovations. The temple
is a modern piece of architecture blended with a mix of Hindu, Christian and
Muslim influences. The image of the deity is housed behind a highly decorated
silver doorway. At the entrance, slightly to the north of the temple, is a majestic 7 storied Deepa Stambha (lamp tower). It is the tallest and most
imposing column in Goa and looks most beautiful on festival nights when illuminated
with traditional oil lamps.
Shri Mahalaxmi Temple,
Bandode
Shri Mahalaxmi Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu's consort Mahalaxmi, is
situated in the village of Bandode (also called Bandora or Bandivade), about
4 kms east of Ponda and 22 kms from Panaji. The temple is considered as the
abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult and its unique feature is that
the Devi wears linga on her head. The idol of Mahalaxmi with four arms holding
a sickle, a club, a dagger, and a vessel containing prasad and flowers, has
a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi idol at Kolhapur. Besides the main
black granite stone idol, there was another idol of the devi made of panchloha
(five metals). Apart from the two idols of Mahalakshmi, the temple houses 18
wooden images of Lord Vishnu and idols of deities such as Shri Ravalnath, Shri
Baleshwar and Shri Narayan Purush. The temple is believed to have been shifted from
Colva in Sasasthi (Salcette taluka) in the 16th century during the inquisition, to
save it from destruction by the Portuguese.
Shri Naguesh Temple, Bandode
Shri Naguesh Temple is located about 25 kms from Panaji, in the village of Bandode.
This ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Naguesh also known as Nagnath, an incarnation
of Lord Shiva, was established in 1413. The present temple structure has been
renovated and patched up around the year 1880. The Shiva lingam is in the inner
shrine and in front of the shrine, there is an image of Nandi (Lord Shiva's
vehicle) carved in black stone. The 'sabha mantap' (i.e main hall) contains exquisite
specimen of intricate wood carvings depicting scenes from the Epics, Ramayana
and Mahabharatha and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharva. A five storied
lamp tower (deep stambh) with colourful images of gods and goddesses around
the base is located near the temple. The temple has a magnificent ancient 'tali' (water reservoir) surrounded by palms.
Shri Mahadeva Temple, Tambdi
Surla
Also known as Tambdi Surla Temple, this ancient Shri Mahadeva temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva is situated at Tambdi Surla in Sanguem taluka, around 65 kms from
Panaji and 12 Kms from Molem. This small 13th century temple built in basalt
rock is in the midst of a forested area which is quite inaccessible and away
from the main settlements. It is the only surviving example of the Kadamba-Yadava
architecture. The temple faces east so that the rays of the rising sun fall
on the deity (ie. the Shiva linga) mounted on a pedestal inside the inner sanctum.
The main mantap (hall) of the temple is composed of three entrances, a small 'antaralaya'
and a 'garbagriha' (sanctum sanctorum). At the center of the mandap, there is a
headless nandi. The
interior and sides of the temple are embellished with intricate carvings and the
exterior has some miniature examples of sculpture and relief carvings.
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Shri Mallikarjuna,
Canacona
The ancient temple of Mallikarjuna lies in an enchanting location in a valley,
completely surrounded by blue mountains and greenery. It is situated near the
small village of Sristhal, in the southernmost taluka of Canacona about 75 kms
from Panaji and 40 kms. from Margao. The temple which have been constructed
during the 16th century was renovated in the year 1778. The temple mandap (hall)
have beautiful carved wooden pillars depicting scenes from the Puranas and Mahabharatha.
Dedicated to Lord Mallikarjun, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, the temple is renowned
for its colorful annual festival (jatra) in which the idol of the deity is taken
out in a procession to the nearby Kindlebag beach and is bathed accompanied
by other rituals.
Shri Ananta Temple
Shri Ananta Narasimha temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the famous
temples of Goa. The temple, situated in a small village of Savoi-Verem in Ponda
taluka about 45 kms away Panaji, is surrounded on all sides by water and beautiful
scenery. The idol of the deity is carved in black stone and Lord Vishnu is shown
here in his Anantashayana (a sleeping position where the Lord rests on the multi-headed
snake king Seshnaga, whose heads shelter the head of the Lord like an umbrella).
Apart from the main deity, the sprawling temple complex consists of temples
of other deities Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush. A number of festivals
are celebrated at the temple including Shibikotsav in which the palakhi (palanquin)
of Lord Ananta is carried by devotees on their shoulders around the temple complex.
Mosques
Jama Masjid, Sanguem
Jama Masjid is situated at Sanguem taluk about 26kms from Margao. Built
in the last century, it is an elegant mosque of harmonious proportion and simplicity.
A dome arises in the center of the mosque and it has four minarets at its entrance,
flanked by two towers surmounted by pillared kiosks.
Safa Masjid, Ponda
The elegant Safa Masjid is located in Shahpur district which lies at a distance
of 2kms west of Ponda. Built in 1560 by Ibrahim Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur,
it is one of the only two sixteenth-century Islamic monuments which managed
to survive the excesses of the Portuguese reign. The rectangular prayer
hall of the mosque rests above a high base and the walls are decorated with
graceful Islamic arches. The masonry tank with beautiful 'maharab' designs is
located to the south of the prayer hall.
