Location Salcete Taluka, 33 km From Panaji; second largest city of Goa.
Margao, another town with Portuguese flavour and an old world charm, is an important commercial centre as well. All the administrative headquarters of the south Goan district lie in Margao. Its old Portuguese churches and fine country houses with dark rosewood furniture give a feel of an old-world environment. Margao is visited by tourists for the Church of the Holy Spirit, one of the most magnificent churches of Goa with a lavish architectural setup, raised in 1675. A Math of the Vaishnavas was the first religious place established here.
Being a home to the mathas of the Vaishnavas, the place was earlier called “Matha Gram”, which changed to Madgaon through local dialects. Later, when the Portuguese arrived in Goa, they renamed the place Margao. Today, it is famous as the capital of southern Goa and attracts tourists from all over the world to showcase its distinctive ancient cultural heritage and the conventional customs. Most of the Hindu religious places (temples, dharmshalas) were destroyed when the Portuguese adsorbed the area into their Novas Conquistas during the 17th century. Even so, a few old Hindu temples, churches and picturesque farming villages are definitely worth a visit.
Margao is a leader in the fish & agriculture trade. During the Portuguese kingdom, River Sal was used as the prime route for cargo boats from Arabia and Africa for trading. The Salcett taluka has obtained its name from the river Sal.
Major AttractionsMargao is believed to be nurtured with the natural beauty of the Colva Beach. With a coastline of 20 km, it is the longest beach of Goa. If you are interested in a throbbing night life along with the down market ambiance by day, just walk 6 km across to Colva Beach. You can enjoy all sorts of beach activities, sports and delicious Goan cuisine with cocktails at the nearby restaurants. The beach offers you luxurious resort complexes, large holiday crowds, trinket stalls and discos. In the centre of Colva (7 km west of Margao) lies the Benaulim beach.
Mobor is a romantic place to spend quality time with your partner. It is the place where the Colva beach ends and the River Assolna meets the sea. The beach at Mobor gives a soothing experience of sunset while you are sitting under a sheltered cave. The place is overlooked by cliffs on one side.
The Stately Church Of The Holy Spirit built by the Portuguese in 1675 is one of the finest examples of late-Baroque architecture in Goa. It lies 13 km from the main Margao city. Being one of the most magnificent churches of Goa, The Stately Church Of The Holy Spirit is pure white in the front. The interiors are decorated with gilt crystal and stucco.
Monte church (1820), situated on the top of the Monte Hill, is an enchanting place. You will find the church locked most of the time, but being located at such a height, it provides a bird's eye view of the entire city, which is grand and splendid.
Margoa offers a large garden and a children's park in Gogol to its tourist guests.
How To ReachThe Dabolim Airport in Panaji is the nearest airport to Margao, and the Margao Railway Station which is only 2 km from the city center is a major rail terminal in south Goa. The Margao Railway Station connects it with all major parts of Goa.
You can avail of private buses from the Margao's main square. The Kadamba Bus Stand delivers services for long distance routes. It is also the departure point for interstate services to Mangalore, via Chaudi and Gokarn, and for services to Panjim and North Goa.
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