North Goa

Amthane Dam
The Amthane dam lies in a splendid location approximately 20 km from Mapusa. It is not yet developed for tourists and picnickers but is a nice place to unwind.

The dam supplies raw water to the nearby Sanquelim water treatment plant. It is not a big one but has a scenic view of the catchment and Sahyadri range beyond from the mouth of the dam.

The Amthane dam may be visited by taking the left side of the fork from your Assonora bridge, instead of driving to Bicholim. For lodging here one can get an eco resort in Sal that offers foods and remain.

Alorna Fort
The Alorna fort is situated in the Village of Alorna which is about 30 km from Mapusa and 10 km east off NH 17 from Malpem in Pernem. It was built by the Bhonsles of Sawantwadi in the 17th century. The fort had four guns and in the year 1746, the fort was captured by Marquis of Castello Novo (later known as Marquis of Alorna) from the Bhonsles. The possession however was short lived.

In 1781, the fort was again captured by Dom Frederico Guilherme de Souza. It was used to defend against the Maratha attacks from the north.

Aguada beach is located in the north of Goa and 4km away from Sinquerim beach in Goa. With its exotic tropical beauty the pristine Aguada beach attracts tourists all over the world and India just like bees are attracted towards fresh blossoms. The people of frigid regions where sunrays don't reach adequately flock to India, especially Goa, for its vast array of sun-bathed beaches. That is the reason Goa beaches including Aguada beach look so colorful and vibrant with so many visitors of different regions of the world gathered together.

Terekhol Fort, Terekhol (Pernem)
The Terekhol fort is located in the northern tip of Goa. It is situated on the mouth of the Terekhol River and was built by the ruler of Sawantwadi, Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle. The Terekhol fort of Goa was built during the 17th century. The Terekhol fort was given legal recognition as a part of Goa around 1788. The fort was rebuilt in 1764 by the Portuguese viceroy in India named Dom Pedro Miguel de Almeida. The Terekhol fort is often visited by tourists who come here to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and scenic locales.

Shree Shantadurga Temple, Pernem
14 kms. from Mapusa at Dhargal, Pernem. Around 1500 A.D. when all the temples in Bardez were destroyed by the Portuguese, this Goddess was removed at Sanquelim. It was at the time of the notorious Portuguese inquisition in Goa. Therefore, in 1550 A.D. this Goddess was take to Dhargal in Pernem Taluka which also formed part o Sawanantwadi principality. The 'Zatra' of this Goddess is held in the month of December. The temple has beautiful natural surroundings.

Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple, Narve (Bicholim)
37 kms from Panaji at Narve–Bicholim, this was a favoured deity of the Kadamba Kings. Its original temple was situated in the island of Diwar. The linga worshipped in this temple is faceted and is known as ‘Dharalinga’.

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.

Sri Morjee temple (Pernem)
The Sri Morjee temple is situated at Morjim in Pernem Taluka, about 15 Km from Mapusa. "Kalash Utsava" which is celebrated every three, five, seven or nine years, is the main festival at the temple. The festival lasts for about a month. The last seven days of the festival attract a large number of devotees not only from Goa, but also from Sindhudurga in Maharashtra and Karwar in Karnataka. Other festivals that are celebrated at Sri Morjee temple are Dussehra, Gudi Padva, Zatra, Divjam and Ghode Mundim.

Shree Mahalaxmi Temple, Panaji
Located at the heart of the Panaji city, the Mahalaxmi temple is a sacred shrine for Hindu devotees. The Mahalaxmi temple enshrines the deity of Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of wealth. Mahalaxmi is also regarded the presiding deity of the Panaji city.

The Mahalakshmi temple assumes significance for being the first Hindu temple to be built in Goa after the Portuguese invasion by Alfonse de Albuquerque. The temple was approved for construction in 1818, after the elapse of 300 years and inordinate delays by the Portuguese authorities. The original structure has undergone renovations many times, the latest being in 1983.

Shree Hanuman Temple, Mapusa
This temple is located in the heart of Mapusa. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, protector of Lord Rama.

Shree Dattatraya Temple, Mapusa
Shri Datta Mandir is located at a distance of 37 kms from Panaji at Dattawadi, Sanquelim, and 40 kms. From Margao, this century old temple of trimurty (Hindu) has a backdrop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms. The most important festival, which is attended by devotees from all over Goa, is Datta Jayanti that falls in the month of December.

The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. The entire interior consists of white marble.