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Temple 18
Temple 18 is a chaitya (prayer room or assembly hall) remarkably similar in style to classical Greek-columned buildings. It dates from around the 7th century AD, but traces of earlier wooden buildings have been discovered beneath it. Nearby is the small Temple 17, also Greek-like.
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Raigad Fort
Alone on a high and remote hilltop, 24km off Hwy 66, the enthralling Raigad Fort served as Shivaji’s capital from 1648 until his death in 1680. The fort was later sacked by the British, and some colonial structures added, but monuments such as the royal court, plinths of royal cham
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Public Observatory
If you’re interested in checking out the clear winter night skies over Goa, the local branch of the Association of Friends of Astronomy has a public observatory on the terrace of the Junta building. The local enthusiasts are only too happy to welcome visitors and explain what you’r
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Nehru Centre
The Nehru Centre is a cultural complex that includes a planetarium, theatre, gallery and an interesting history exhibition, Discovery of India. The architecture is striking: the tower looks like a giant cylindrical pineapple, the planetarium a UFO. High-quality dance, drama and liv
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Church of St Cajetan
Modelled on the original design of St Peters in Rome, the Church of St Cajetan was built by Italian friars of the Order of Theatines, who were sent by Pope Urban III to preach Christianity in the kingdom of Golconda (near Hyderabad). The friars were not permitted to work in Golcond
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Kangla
This expansive, low-walled fort was the on-again, off-again regal capital of Manipur until the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 saw the defeat of the Manipuri maharaja and a British takeover. Entrance is by way of an exceedingly tall gate on Kanglapat. The interesting older buildings are
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Nandi Hills
Rising to 1455m, the Nandi Hills , 60km north of Bengaluru, were once the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. Today, it’s Bengaluru’s favourite weekend getaway, and is predictably congested on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s a good place for hiking, with stellar views and two notable Chola
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Corbyn’s Cove
No one comes to Port Blair for the beach, but if you need a break from town, Corbyn’s Cove has a small curve of sand backed by palms. The coastal road here is a scenic journey, and passes several Japanese WWII bunkers along the way. Located 7km south of town, an autorickshaw costs
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Vaikunta Perumal Temple
Roughly 1200 years old, this Vishnu temple is a Pallava creation. A passage around the central shrine has lion pillars and a wealth of weathered wall panels, some showing historical scenes. The main shrine, uniquely spread over three levels, contains images of Vishnu standing, sitt
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Vamana Temple
Vamana Temple (1050–75), 200m further north of Javari Temple, is dedicated to the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu. It has quirky touches such as elephants protruding from the walls, but its sikhara is devoid of subsidiary spires and there are few erotic scenes. Its roofed mahamandapa (
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Vashisht Mandir
Vashishts sulphur-laden hot springs are channelled into small public baths , with separate areas for men and women, inside the ancient stone Vashisht Mandir, which is dedicated to the sage Vashisht. Theres another open-air public pool just uphill, past a set of hot-water spouts whe
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Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge is a 705m-long abstraction of steel cantilevers, sweat and traffic fumes. Built during WWII, it’s one of the world’s busiest bridges and a Kokatan architectural icon. Photography of the bridge is technically prohibited but you might sneak a discreet shot from one of t
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Tomb of St Thomas the Apostle
Behind San Thome Cathedral is the entrance to the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle. Its believed Doubting Thomas brought Christianity to the subcontinent and was killed at St Thomas Mount, Chennai, in AD 72. Although most of his mortal remains are apparently now in Italy, a small cros
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Saheliyon
In the north of the city, about 3km from Lal Ghat, the Saheliyon-ki-Bari was built by Sangram Singh II in 1710. This small, quaint ornamental garden was laid out for the enjoyment of 48 women attendants who came as part of a princess’s dowry and has beautiful, well-maintained fount
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Similipal National Park
The 2750-sq-km Similipal National Park has long been Odisha’s prime wildlife sanctuary. However, due to several issues, including ongoing Maoist activity in the region, the park has been off-limits to foreign tourists in recent years. When it is open, there are waterfalls to see an
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Sarangapani Temple
Sarangapani is the largest Vishnu temple, with a 45m-high eastern gopuram as its main entrance (photography is not permitted inside). Past the temple cowshed (Krishna the cowherd is one of Vishnus forms), another gopuram and a pillared hall, you reach the inner sanctuary, a 12th-ce
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Rozabal
At the north end of the triangular patch of grass in front of the Sufi shrine of Pir Dastgir Sahib is a small, green shrine known as Rozabal. A highly controversial theory claims that the shrine’s crypt holds the grave of Jesus Christ. Tourists are actively discouraged from approac
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Museum of Christian Art
This excellent museum, in a stunningly restored space within the 1627 Convent of St Monica, contains a collection of statues, paintings and sculptures, though the setting warrants a visit in its own right. Interestingly, many of the works of Goan Christian art made during the Portu
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Bihariji Temple
A short distance northwest of Jorawargarh is the Bihariji Temple, which dates from approximately 1776 and is dedicated to Krishna. It has some fine, though worn, murals. On the inside of the dome, Krishna and the gopis (milkmaids) are rendered in natural pigments – their circular d
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Betul
A small, sweet workaday village hugging the Sal River estuary, Betul will be your introduction to southern Goa if you’re heading down the coast via the Candolim ferry. There are few specific sights here, but it’s worth climbing up to the cross-topped Baradi Hillock viewpoint, espec
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