Religious/ Spiritual

Chapel of St. Catherine

Location

Chapel of St. Catherine is located to the south of Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Se Cathedral. Alfonso de Albuquerque built the original mud structure in 1510 and a stone chapel replaced the thatched structure a few years later. A new altar was installed in the year 1550. Built of laterite block, the chapel has a tower on either side of the facade. A semicircular niche above the window has an image of St. Catherine. In 1951, the chapel was restored with the help of Portuguese architect Baltazar de Castro.

Church of St. Cajetan

Location

Opposite the Se Cathedral, beyond the road is the beautiful Church of St. Cajetan. The Italian friars of the Order of Thetaine (1656-1700) built this diminutive domed church on the lines of St. Peter's Church in Rome. The church is architecturally Corinthian both externally and internally, while the glided altars are in baroque style. In keeping with the general rule of Theatian order, the church has no separate towers but turrets.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

Location

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is located uphill to the south of the Basilica of the Born Jesus. Built of laterite and plastered with lime mortar, the church has a double-storeyed portico. The portico as well as the facade of the church have rounded towers on either side. The roof is tiled and supported by wooden rafter. The Church has two chapels and three altars.

Saptakoteshwar Temple

Location

Acclaimed as one of the six revered temples of Lord Shiva in the Konkan area, the Saptokoteshwar temple has a chequered history dating back to the 12th century. During that period Saptakoteshwar was the patron deity of the kings of Kadamba dynasty. In 1352, when Bahamani Sultan Hassan Gangu usurped the Kadamba kingdom, his armies vandalized the linga of the Saptakoteshwar temple.

In 1367, Vijayanagar King Hariharraya conquered Hassan Gangu's troops and restored the lost glory of Saptakoteshwar temple. After a calm of about two hundred years, the temple idol (linga) had to be removed once again to escape the marauding armies of the Portuguese conquerors. The temple was finally rebuilt at Narve by the orders of great Maratha king Shivaji.

Church of St. Alex

Location

The Church of St. Alex is one of the popular tourist attractions standing on two huge towers. Located along the CHOGM Road, the church is popular for its big dome and Rococo style architecture.

Famous for its elegant interiors and decorative altars, the church was constructed in the year 1597. The church is easily accessible from any part of Calangute. This oldest surviving church in Goa was founded in 1595 by Franciscans.

Mansa Devi Temple

Location

Mansa Devi temple, is situated in Panchkula at a distance of 8 km from Chandigarh, in the state of Haryana. According to Hindu scriptures, the temple is one of the 52 'Satipiths' and it is believed that the head of Devi Sati had fallen at this place. There are two temples here. The relatively new temple was built by the Maharaja of Patiala. Millions of devotees from all over the country come here to pay homage to the goddess. There is a large garden of sacred plants attached to the Mansa Devi temple.