City: Goa
Top Things to do in Goa
Things to do in Goa, India: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
The sandy coast of Goa is perfect for reclining by the sea. Nestle into a cushioned chair at a beach shack and savor a curry while you sip a Kingfisher beer, watching the sun slip lazily below the horizon. In Old Goa, the beautiful Basilica of Bom Jesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fine example of baroque architecture. Visit during Christmastime to experience a fantastic religious and cultural mash-up of East and West.
Restaurants in Goa
1. Shri Shantadurga Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By debasispatri - Mumbai, India
Situated 33 kms from Panajim, Shree Shantadurga temple has an impressive idol of Goddess Shree Durga who mediated between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva. The temple has strict dress code. Avoid shorts, skirts, tank tops and other short dresses while visiting Shanta durga Temple.
2. Basilica of Bom Jesus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,334 reviews
Reviewed By R5457FCsandys - Albuquerque, United States
In the company of a Christian Indian guide, we toured the Jesuit 16th Century Basilica of the Bom Jesus (the Infant Jesus), which contained the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier housed in a silver casket, and the Dominican Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Both featured soaring ceilings and elaborate altarpieces and side altars, carved in sandalwood and then gilded. The statues of the saints looked similar to the familiar santos of New Mexico. Both churches require modest dress, which means both men and women need to cover their knees and shoulders.
3. Mahadeva Temple
4. Mangeshi Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By RajuSalvi - Pune, India
A) Location: This most famous temple in Goa is located at Mangeshi village in Priol, Ponda taluka: 1) 1 km from Mardol 2) 21 km from Panaji 3) 26 km from Margaon B) Temple Impressed Me From Following Aspects: 1. Very unique distinctive type of architecture. 2. Neat & clean temple premises 3. Free parking at three locations: a) Next to temple b) On the side of road from temple to main road c) At the main road junction 4. Canteen facility providing simple veg food. 5. Agrashala: Very affordable accommodation facility for pilgrims & devotees from GSB community only. 6. Feet water wash system 7. Free footwear stand 8. Washroom facility opposite the parking area beside temple 9. There are food stalls, flowers garland stall, clothes shop, souvenir stalls, hotel on route from main road to temple. It 250 meter distance approx. 10. Spacious temple surroundings C) Mangeshi Temple: Wikipedia, trust & other websites provides excellent religious & historical information on this temple. Please read it on google search by typing Mangeshi Temple Goa. Temple is open from 6 am to 10 pm. This temple houses the kuldaivat (family deity) of GSB community. Temple belongs to Bhagwan Manguesh (Linga) an incarnation of Lord Shiva. There are shrines of Goddess Parvati & God Ganesha as well as shrines of many more deities in the temple & temple premises. D) The Other Notable Things Are: 1. Multistory Deepstambha (Lamp Tower) 2. Chandelier inside the main hall of temple 3. A water tank, the gate of it was closed during our visit 4. Agrashala accommodation facility on left side, rear side & right side of temple 5. One is not allowed to take darshan from very near inside the temple E) Photos: Photos inside main temple are totally prohibited. Visitors are allowed to take photos outside temple. I have attached photos with easy to understand tag & description system. Have a look at the photos to get the feel of those things in the photo. This is the biggest & famous landmark temple of Goa so it should be visited.
5. Shri Mahalasa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By 688balajis
Due to covid the deities can only be viewed at a distance Pretty peaceful and serene, very good maintenance
6. Church and Monastery of St Augustine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By Dieneishtraveling - Kolhapur, India
remember best bollywood movie scean like Wanted ,singham movie , horror movie , good for photography and easliy reach by bike or cab
7. Sri Ramnath Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By GaneshKamath007 - Bengaluru, India
Being the family deity temple, I could get the rooms at the temple. Good hospitality. Office staff are helpful and would provide the necessary. Very peaceful location and get blessed
8. Laxmi Narasimha Temple
9. Shantadurga Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 442 reviews
Reviewed By Desifoodbelly - Pune, India
The minute I stepped inside the temple, I felt the positive and powerful vibes. Much needed in today's world. The temple is open from morning 8am to evening 6pm even during COVID, which is good as it prevents over-crowding of visitors. The main entrance is closed. You have to go just one lane ahead where the lane to the back entrance starts. Entry was not allowed without masks and the person at the entrance was noting down temperature checks of the visitors along with their address and phone number. Sanitizers were provided. Social distancing was followed. Important is modest dressing is a must. No sleeveless, half skirts, shorts or short clothes allowed. Hands and legs and legs should be fully covered. The original temple was first built in Quelossim. But after Portuguese invasion, the temple was destroyed and later built by the Maratha Empire in Kavlem, where it is now. The temple is dedicated to Shree Shantadurga, the goddess of peace. Durga, who is often portrayed exuding fury and aggression, appears in a gentler form in Goa. Shanta, in Sanskrit, means peace. According to Hindu mythology, the goddess got her name after she settled a quarrel between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. According to legend, the quarrel turned bitter and became so fierce that it threatened to destroy the entire universe. Fearing annihilation, Lord Brahma pleaded Goddess Parvati to interfere. Taking the form of Shantadurga, the goddess took Shiva by her left hand and Vishnu by her right and pacified the duo. Thus, the idol of the goddess is flanked by the statues of Shiva and Vishnu. The goddess holds serpents in each hand, representing Shiva and Vishnu. This is the famous kuldevi of the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community. Very peaceful and positive place. Definitely visit at least once.
