Overview
Ponda: Gateway to Goa's Wildlife Trail
In the sun-soaked state of Goa, Ponda is the gateway to Goa's wildlife trail. Nature seems to be smiling upon this quaint little town, often a stop-by for a quick lunch, an ATM cash-stop or for a steaming cup of local tea. It has its own unique charm, endowing a sense of personal space, freshness and relaxation to the travellers.
Ponda was earlier a part of the Novas Conquistas of Portuguese India. The town was ruled by the Sonde Rajas under the Vijayanagar Empire and the Bijapur Sultanate. It was a safe haven for Hindus during the 16th century due to the absence of the Portuguese. In 1675, Chatrapati Shivaji Rao seized Ponda from Bijapur Sultanate and it remained part of the Maratha Empire till 1764.
Following are the main attractions of Ponda
Safa Mosque: The word 'Safa' means clean, pure and chaste. Built in 1560 by Adilshah I of the Bijapur Kingdom, this mosque is one of the major draws in Ponda. Architecturally, this edifice is a fusion of Indo-Islamic Style of Architecture. The roofs are made of locally produced tiles. The most unique part of the mosque is the huge tank built with typically Islamic Mehrab Style Arches. The flight of stairs that descends into the tank resembles the Hindu bathing 'ghat' style. The tank holds a mirror elegantly facing towards the mosque.
Khandepar Cave Temples: Journey back into time with the ancient rock-cut caves of Khandepar. Set amidst the thickets of forests near Khandepar Village, these caves belong to the 10th–13th century. It has four temples carved out of red laterite. Presumably these caves were earlier Buddhist monasteries. Markers and etches within the caves point to its association with the Buddhist and Kadamban origin.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary: Wildlife buffs can also visit this popular wildlife sanctuary located in the foothills of the Western Ghats. It comprises a Mini Zoo, Deer Safari Park, Botanical Park and a couple of Eco-tourism cottages. Spread across only 7.98 sq. km, Bondla Sanctuary is the only zoo in Goa.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls:
'Dudhsagar', meaning 'the sea of milk', lies on the Goa–Karnataka border. It
is named so because when the water level is at its peak, clouds of milky
(dudh) foam can be seen from a distance. This magnificent waterfall
cascades from the highest peak of the Western Ghats and is at its full glory
after the monsoon.
Butterfly Conservatory: It is a fascinating butterfly conservatory spread over 4000 sq. meters. You will be able to see the most magnificent butterflies and caterpillars here. The place is run by an NGO named Butterfly Conservatory.
Excursions from Ponda
Majorda (20 km) and Colva (22 km) are some of the
ideal getaways from Ponda.
Shopping in Ponda
Ponda is renowned for its spice plantations. It is also a great place to buy
fragrant spices. You can find all kinds of
vegetables and fruits, handicrafts, coir ropes, baskets, cooking
vessels and mats at this market.
When to reach
The best time to enjoy Ponda is between October to March due to the
pleasant weather conditions. Shigmo Festival (November) is also a
sought-after time to explore the cultural side of Ponda.
How to reach
Air: The Dabolim Airport is the nearest airport to Ponda with
regular flight services for Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin and Chennai.
Chartered flight services from Jakarta, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, Kuwait and
many more.
Rail: Margao Railway Station is the nearest railhead to Ponda. It
connects most of the coastal areas along the western coast.
Road: Ponda is connected to Panjim via mini-bus shuttle services.
Margao is also connected to Ponda by buses. The National Highway 4A also
connects Ponda to neighbouring state Karnataka.
