Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ponda & Around
The workaday inland town of Ponda, 29km southeast of Panaji, has two big drawcards in
the vicinity - Hindu temples and spice plantations - and is well worth a day away from
the beach. Temple aficionados, however, might be a little disappointed; most were built or
rebuilt after the originals were destroyed by the Portuguese, so they're not as ancient as
those elsewhere in India.
The 18th-century hilltop
Mangueshi Temple
at Priol, 5km northwest of Ponda, is dedicated
to Manguesh, a god known only in Goa, while 1km away at Mardol is the
Mahalsa Temple
,
also dedicated to a specifically Goan deity. The 1738
Shantadurga Temple
, meanwhile, just
west of Ponda, is dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess of peace, and is one of the most
famous shrines in Goa.
There are regular buses to Ponda from Panaji (?20, 45 minutes) and Margao, after
which you'll need to arrange a taxi to visit the temples or spice farms. Taxis from Panaji
charge ?1200 for a day trip to the area (up to eight hours and 80km).
WORTH A TRIP
SPICE OF LIFE
There are several spice farms in the Ponda area that make an excellent day trip.
Tropical Spice Plantation
(
2340329;
www.tropicalspiceplantation.com
;
admission incl lunch ?400; 9am-4pm), 5km northeast of Ponda,
is one of the most popular with an entertaining 45-minute tour of the 120-acre plantation's 'demo garden' fol-
lowed by a banana-leaf buffet lunch. Elephant rides (?600 for 10 minutes) and bathings (?600) can be fun.
Sa-
hakari Spice Farm
( 2312394;
www.sahakarifarms.com
; admission incl lunch ?400; 9am-4pm), 2km
from Ponda, offers a similar experience but with a more traditional hut-style restaurant and the added attraction of
folk dances and tree-swinging to collect betel nuts.
The 200-year-old family
Savoi Plantation
( 2340272, 9822133309;
www.savoiplantation.com
;
9am-4.30pm), whose motto is 'Organic Since Origin', is much mellower, less touristed and elephant-free. You'll
find a warm welcome from knowledgeable guides keen to walk you through the 100-acre plantation at your own
pace. Local crafts are for sale, and you're welcomed with fresh kokum juice, cardamom bananas and other organ-
ic treats.
