Top Things to do in Ponda
What to do and see in Ponda, India: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Ponda, India including Shri Mahalasa Temple, Tropical Spice Plantation, Sahakari Spice Farm, Sri Ramnath Temple, Shri Naguesh Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, Safa Mosque, Sri Chandreshwar Temple, Sri Nagueshi Temple, Butterfly Conservatory Of Goa.
Restaurants in Ponda
1. Shri Mahalasa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By sujatapant - Mumbai, India
This is an ancient temple of goa ,destroyed by Adil Shah and later by the Portuguese but rebuilt .It has great synergy ,is clean ,beautiful ,peaceful .Dedicated to Vishnu and His consort . there are rooms available ,a small eatery
2. Tropical Spice Plantation
Overall Ratings
4 based on 336 reviews
Reviewed By TrueIrishWanderer - Ballynahinch, United Kingdom
My wife and I visited the Tropical Spice Plantation one lovely Friday afternoon for lunch. When we arrived we walked across a long wooden bridge across a lake and were greeted by two members of staff. They ushered us to our table in the restaurant and gave us both a hot lemongrass drink. It was very refreshing. We then were taken to the buffet area and selected our food from large crock pots. There were several vegetable dishes, a prawn curry, and s chicken curry. There was also steamed rice and vegetable rice, and bread rolls.
We then purchased cold drinks from the counter. After we had finished the main course the waited brought a plate of water melon pieces and two small individual tubs of ice cream. We were also served a small cup of Feni - a local 40% alcoholic clear drink, made from distilling cashew nuts.
After our meal, we were treated to a small tour of the exhibition area of the spice plantation and we learned many interesting facts about the various spices. At the end of the tour, the guide takes a ladle of cold water, taken from a crock pot, and puts the water down your back from the collar of your shirt. This is to cool your spine from the heat. I was a bit dubious about having this done, but it refreshed me and, in the heat, my shirt dried very quickly.
After the spice tour, you can buy spices from the spice shop if you wish.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the Tropical Spice Plantation and would recommend a visit to anyone.
3. Sahakari Spice Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 579 reviews
A tour of the most interesting spice plants followed by lunch and an elephant ride.
Reviewed By Sergey_and_Elena - Wuhan, China
Visit to Sahakari spice farm was planned in advance, before going to India. We expected lots of plants, possibilities to understand the spices nature and elephant ride, and we got it in a very unpleasant way.
We came by 2wheeler, bought tickets (400 INR incl.lunch per person) and waited a little with a cup of lemongrass tea. Guide took a group of people, run with us through the park, explained quickly about plants in a manner of person in hurry (guess what is this plant? this is off season, this one is last one, ) and brought us to lunch and souvenir shop.
Elephant ride costs 700 per person - takes 3 minutes, no bath, nothing special, just unfriendly staff asking for tips. At least animals look not suffering too much.
Lunch was eatable, better, than breakfast buffet in our hotel, but also far away from amazing.
4. Sri Ramnath Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By YogeshK05 - Pune, India
This temple is located about 22 kms from the capital city of Panaji, the temple is just a few minutes away from Farmagudi, is situated close to the Shantadurga Temple at Kavlem, Ponda.
This is one of the kuldaivat of GSB community. One of the most Calm and peaceful temple. Whenever i go to ponda, never forget to visit the peaceful temple truly awesome experience.
Car parking is available and the temple canteen is close to entrance.
How to reach from Panjim :
Catch bus going to Ponda from Panjim, will take around 30 min depending on traffic. Bus ticket Rs 20/- each. Get down at Old Ponda bus stand. From there you can take auto directly to temple will cost you Rs 50/-. Or catch shuttle buses which will drop you in front of temple. Bus ticket 10/- each.
Note : There are two bus stand in Ponda, New and Old Bus stand. Get down at old bus stand.
5. Shri Naguesh Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Redij_IN - Mumbai, India
The temple is very beautiful with well maintained clean premises. The experience becomes better when the surroundings are clean and the sanctity of the temple is preserved. Definitely must visit.
6. Mahalaxmi Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By vinodkhedkar - Mumbai, India
Ponda has a many temples and Mahalaxmi temple is one of the most visited one.It was build in twelfth century.Beautiful architecture,auspicious idol and nice ambiance makes this place worth a visit.There is a house build in the premises which is owned by Late Madhavi Desai who was a daughter of great cinema maker Late Bhalaji Pendharkar and she was wife of writer Ranjit Desai.
7. Safa Mosque
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Csaba S
The mosque is easy to find along the road #4A close to Ponda. The whole site , built of the local red stones, stands like it did 450 years ago, almost untouched. It has a large pool in front and, aside a beautiful grandiose banjan tree with hundreds of its crampons.
8. Sri Chandreshwar Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By sumapuranik - Vasco Da Gama, Goa, India
This temple located on the top of hill.Road is little rough and small.Many turns are there. And last you have to climb 100 steps.In the rainy season they are slippery.You will get margao city sight here. The temple is medium in size and you will not get anything here.Beautiful secenary ,greenary Mountains are main attraction.
9. Sri Nagueshi Temple
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Shreekant P - Bilimora, India
Most beautiful temple in the ponda. In the front of it there is a lake and its very much beautiful. Mandir construction is also sooo nicely constructed.
10. Butterfly Conservatory Of Goa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 57 reviews
A conservation project by an ordinary couple attracts a lot of visitors inspired by their efforts to transform a barren hillslope into a forest. The Butterfly is used only as a catalyst . Breeding butterflies need endemic plants , clean air and humus rich soil . Caterpillars attract lot of insect predators hence the cycle is complete. Visitors get to see the free flying butterflies only between September to December , but are more attracted to this place to interact with wildlife artist Yashodan , see his paintings , his unique rooftop garden house with rainwater tanks and the many tiny surprises that the conservatory has to offer.
Reviewed By Srinivas C - Bangalore
Went with high expectations but were completely disappointed after travelling 2 hrs from Calangute. its a small private garden where you see 3 varieties of butterfly. for that they charge you 100 INR per person. Can completely be avoided.
