Page 509 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

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carved wooden friezes depicting
scenes from the epics Ramayana
and Maha bharata (see pp30–31).
The 18th-century Shri
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is
situated in Velinga village, 5 km
(3 miles) northwest of Ponda. Its
majestic image of Narasimha,
Vishnu’s man-lion incarnation
(see p683), was brought here
from Mormugao in the 1560s.
Surrounded by forest, it is one
of Goa’s most attractive temples,
with a sacred tank and an
elaborate gateway. A tower The Kadamba-period Tambdi Surla Temple, set on the banks of a stream
standing close by houses the
temple’s musicians during raised, with painted images of e Tambdi Surla
the annual Jatra festival, gods set in niches. South Goa district (Sanguem taluka).
held here in May. A short distance to the 73 km (45 miles) E of Panaji. Taxis from
Dedicated to Vishnu, the northwest, at Priol, lies Goa’s Panaji or Ponda are the best option.
Shri Mahalsa Temple is 7 km wealthiest temple, the 18th-
(4 miles) northwest of Ponda, in century Shri Mangesh Temple, Hidden away in the forests of
Mardol village. The main deity dedicated to Shiva. The Tambdi Surla, stands the oldest
(either a female form of Vishnu courtyard has a sacred tulsi existing Hindu temple in Goa,
or his consort Lakshmi) was (basil) plant growing in a bright dating from the Kadamba
taken from Verna. The temple’s green urn, a characteristic period (between the 11th and
distinguishing feature is an Goan feature. There is a 13th centuries). Built
exceptionally tall brass pillar, 21 large sacred tank and a in black basalt and
tiers in all, rising from a figure of seven-storeyed lamp dedicated to Shri
Kurma (Vishnu’s incarnation as a tower. Dance-dramas Mahadeva (Shiva),
turtle), with Garuda (his vehicle) are performed here the temple probably
perched on top. The pillar during the Jatra survived because of its
symbolizes Mount Kailasa, festivities in April and Detail, Tamdi remote location. The
which, according to Hindu May. A vividly painted Surla Temple symmetrical structure
mythology, was placed on elephant on wheels is made of stone slabs
Kurma’s back and used to churn stands at the entrance to the fitted neatly into each other,
the primordial ocean. The white and yellow temple. without using mortar. Set on
original shrine is a wooden Inside, 19th-century Belgian a low plinth, the entrance hall
structure with a sloping roof, chandeliers hang from the has ten pillars, and the shikhara
and the entrance porches have ceiling, while the main sanctum (spire) above the sanctum has
carvings of musicians and has a linga trans ferred from a miniature relief and fine
warriors. Its main hall has Mormugao. The childhood carvings of Brahma, Vishnu,
intricately carved pillars, while home of Lata Mangeshkar Shiva and his consort, Parvati.
the central part of the ceiling is (b.1929), India’s most famous
singer of film songs, was Environs
near the temple. The Bhagwan Mahaveer
About 4 km (2 miles) Sanctuary, 20 km (12 miles)
northeast of Ponda town, southeast of Tamdi Surla,
near the village of Khandepar, covers an area of 240 sq km
is a cluster of Hindu Rock-cut (93 sq miles) and is home to
Caves from the 10th–13th leopards, deer and the Indian
centuries, with carved lotus bison. The 600-m (1,969-ft) high
decorations on the ceiling, Dudhsagar Waterfalls on the
simple door frames and Goa-Karnataka border are its
niches for oil lamps. main attraction. The small
A few spice gardens that Bondla Sanctuary, 30 km
grow aromatic spices such (19 miles) east of Tambdi Surla,
as cardamom, nutmeg and is known for its variety of birds.
cinnamon, make interesting day
trips from Ponda. The Pascoal O Bhagwan Mahaveer
Plantation, 8 km (5 miles) east, Sanctuary
and the Savoi Spice Garden at Open daily. &
A procession during the Shigmo Jatra, Savoi Verem, 12 km (7 miles) O Bondla Sanctuary
at the Shri Mahalsa Temple north, are easy to reach. Open Fri–Wed. &

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