Sri Kalika Temple
One of the most important Hindu monuments in North Goa is
the temple dedicated to Sri Kalika situated in the Gillage
Kansarpal near Assonora, a few kilometers away from the
Mapusa town. The Daivadnya Brahmans are the main devotes of
this deity. A huge gold "Kalash" atop the dome of the temple
beckons thousands of devotees and inquisitive visitors to
this otherwise secluded place.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, which is the Rudra
form of Goddess Durga. The temple represents a fine blend of
aesthetics and architectural designs.
Sri Kamakshi Temple
About 12-km from Kavalem is situated another important
religious monument which is dedicated to Sri Kamakashi. The
deity is believed to have come from Kamakhya, Guwahati in
Assam, which is her original abode.
In Goa, the original location of Sri Kamakshi temple was
Raia in Salcete Taluka. But the deity was subsquently
shifted to Shiroda village in Ponda Taluka due to religious
persecution by alien rulers.
The place where temple is has an ancient name "Shivagram".
Of the smaller temples present in the complex there is the
one dedicated to Lord "Rayeshwara". People irrespective of
religious faith and hailing originally from Raia, still
venerate Sri Kamaksha.
Sri Mahadev Bhumika Temple
Just 5-km from Kasarpal is another temple complex with
beautiful natural surroundings at village Sal, which is soon
going to be converted into a tourist village.
The temple is famous all over Goa and Sindhudurg district
for its annual festival of "Gade", which is a three-day
religious affair from Phalgun Vadya 1 to 3. Devotees believe
that people can have Darshan of 'Devchar' at night during
the festival and hence the Gade attracts huge crowds even
from urban areas of Goa.
The Se Cathedral
The Se Cathedral nearby is dedicated to St. Catherine, as it
was on her feast day, 25th November 1510 that Alfonso de
Albuquerque conquered Goa. Believers are awe-struck to hear
of the Cross of Miracles, which is placed in the cathedral,
its earlier church having been destroyed. People have had a
vision of Christ on this cross and the rock on which it was
found was said to spout water while, today, the cross is
slowly growing. Earlier, it was at Se Cathedral that the
sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were shown to the
public.
Church of St. Francis of Assisi
Not far away stands the beautiful whitewashed Church
of St. Francis of Assisi, which today houses part of the
archaeological museum. Exhibits include prehistoric items
from a distant tribal past as also reminders of Goa Dourada,
Golden Goa, also known as the 'Pearl of the Orient' or 'Rome
of the East' during its heyday. It was the concentration of
magnificent churches, symbol of a powerful conquering
presence, which justified this last title. In fact, the
Church of St. Cajatan, built by an Italian architect in
1651, was modeled in miniature on St. Peter's Basilica in
Rome. Today a theological college is housed here.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Basilica Of BomJesus, is
situated in Old Goa. Bom Jesus means Infant Jesus or Good
Jesus. Inside the Basilica, you will see a beautiful display
of architectural pieces in wood, stone, gold and granite.
Immediately to the right is the altar of St. Anthony and to
the left is a wooden statue of St. Francis Xavier.
