|
Ponda
Ponda is also prononuced as Phonda in Goa. It is the administrative headquarter of the taluka and this place is located at a distance of 28 kilometer on the south-east side of Panaji. It is at a distance of 17 kilometer from Margao on the north-east side.
NHU - 4 is the Panaji-Bangalore national highway and it passes through Ponda in Goa. This place is the centre of music, culture, poetry and drama. There is a n important area around this town and it has a group of some important Hindu temples known as Antruz Mahal.
Ponda is located in the middle of Margao and NH4A and also on the main road and this is reason why it is the main transport point in this area. There are many unique Hindu temples as well as the old mosques in the surrounding area.
The five major temples located here were reconstructed from originals ruined by the Portuguese and their lamp towers and these are now days the characteristic Goan feature. One can get the regular bus from Panaji and Margao to Ponda, but for visiting these temples it is best to have own transportation for ease.
Sightseeing in Ponda
Shri Naguesh
Shri Naguesh is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is located in the village of Bandora about 4 kilometers to the east of Ponda. The temple Sabhamandap means an assembly hall has a gallery on both sides which contains exquisite example of intricate wood carvings of the demonstrating the tales from the epic Ramayana on one side and wooden images of Asthadikpalas, the 8 Directional Gurdians and Gandharva on the other and Mahabharata beneath the ceiling line. A thin zigzag path dips down to the minute village of Bandoraand its temple to Shiva as Naguesh, God of Serpents.
Temples in Ponda
Shri Mahalsa
Shri Mahalsa temple is located approximately at a distance of 1 kilometer from Shri Naguesh temple and t is located at a place called Mardol and it is less than 2 kilometer distance on the down side of the road. It is Lord Vishnu's temple. The idol worshipped here is the aspect of Lord Vishnu. There is a festival or Zatra in the month of February as well as in Navaratri.
Shri Mahalaxmi
Shri Mahalaxmi is the temple of Goddess of the Shakti cult and it is located on the south of the Naguesh Temple. This temple is situated in a valley below the road and in the Bandode village at a distance of 4 kilometer from Ponda. It is believed to be the residence of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult.
The Sabhamandaop of this temple has a 18 images gallery and the 24 images in the emanatory are characteristic of bhagvata sect. This is believed as one of the few galleries of wooden images of Vishnu found in India. The image of Mahalakshmi has much similarity with a Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, a main centre of worship.
Shri Manguesh
Shri Manguesh temple is on the north-west side of Ponda and on the national highway 17, which leads to old Goa. The Shri Manguesh temple is at Priol-Ponda Taluka and situated on a small hill bordered by flourishing green hills and at about a distance of 26 kilometer from Margao. It is also described as the most significant Hindu temple in Goa.
This is one of the small 18th century hilltop temple in Goa and the superior white tower of this temple at the entrance is main landmark of this landscape. The Manguesh linga was originally across the river at Kushatali in the ancient temple. This temple building is architecturally a typical highly characteristic Goan Hindu temple style.
Although the temple is little, but it has atmosphere of distinguishing grace. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and there are two more temples near this temples namely of Shri Shantadurga and Shri Ramnath. These temples are devoted to the goddess of peace called Shantadurga and the temples has pagoda like strange construction and the top of this temple is made up of long stone slabs.
| 