Marmagoa Vacations

Distance : 34km from Panaji, 4km from Vasco da Gama

Close to the important industrial town of Vasco da Gama lies the main port of Goa, in Marmagoa. The town has some industries and not very much else besides the highly dilapidated ruins of a fort, and an ironic history, which classifies it as ‘the town that never was’. Well, leaving the dramatics aside, Marmagoa was the site that was first chosen to be the capital of the Portuguese Empire...

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Distance : 34km from Panaji, 4km from Vasco da Gama

Close to the important industrial town of Vasco da Gama lies the main port of Goa, in Marmagoa. The town has some industries and not very much else besides the highly dilapidated ruins of a fort, and an ironic history, which classifies it as ‘the town that never was’. Well, leaving the dramatics aside, Marmagoa was the site that was first chosen to be the capital of the Portuguese Empire. This is why, in 1685, the construction of the fort started along with the founding of a township. The Viceroy even moved to Marmagoa in 1703, but the Maratha warriors (term used for Shivaji and other Hindus originating from Maharashtra, who fought against foreign rulers) attacked the site repeatedly, and Old Goa was made the capital instead. Thus Marmagoa is more or less the Fatehpur Sikri of Goa. But with the harbour starts another lore. One can take a brake in Marmagoa and spend part of the Goa vacations to enjoy the the port activities, the port is one of India’s finest natural harbours. If you have it in you to extricate yourself from the beaches, a sunset walk around the harbour can be a pleasant change.

Tambdi Surla

Distance : 69km from Panaji

Situated in west Goa, the Mahadeva Temple in Tambdi Surla, is the state’s only prominent reminder of the pre-Portuguese temple architecture. Maintained by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India), this 12th century temple boasts of some fine reliefs on the shikhara (spire) depicting a plethora of gods and goddesses. Do not miss the impressive carved wall near the entrance, and the chiselled monolith pillars on your travel vacations in Marmagoa.

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