Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the north-eastern part of Goa. Bondla Zoo is an excellent place to breed and research animals and is the only zoo in Goa.Various animals include sambar deer, Indian bison, Malabar giant squirrel, Indian Powell and many other snake species. The sanctuary also provides a home to leopards injured in human-wildlife conflict and dancing bears and cobras with their trainers so they can have a new life after their treatment. The zoo is known to be successful in breeding Gaur. The sanctuary is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an entry fee of Rs 50 for adults, 20 for children and Rs 50 for foreigners.
Places To Visit Near Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Here are a few places to visit near Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary for a memorable trip.
1.Shri Shantadurga Temple
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Shri Shantadurga Temple, located in Goa, is situated at the foothills of Kavalem village. This temple belongs to the Goud Saraswat Brahman Samaj. The temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, who mediates between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The deity is also called Santeri. According to the Puranas, when there was a battle between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma prayed to Parvati Devi to intervene in the war. So, she took Shantadurga’s form and placed Lord Vishnu in her right hand and Lord Shiva in her left hand to settle the fight. Hence, the deity in this temple holds serpents representing Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
Location: Shree Shantadurga Temple, Kapileswari – Kavlem Rd, Donshiwado, Ponda, Goa 403401
Timings: 6 am to 10:30 pm on all days
Must Read: Places To Visit In Old Goa
2. Arvalem Caves
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Arvalem Caves is located in North Goa and is one of the most ancient rock formations from the 6th century. This cave is also known as the Pandava Caves because, according to history, the five Pandavas from the Epic Mahabharat sought refuge during their exile. This cave is built in Buddhist cave style; interestingly, there are no paintings on the wall. The rock structure of the scale has been cut into laterite stone. This cave attracts many tourists because of its mysterious looks. There is also a famous Rudreshwar temple and a beautiful waterfall. Inside the cave complex, there are five components. The middle part safeguards the linga held by devotees. The other four crafted lingas are similar to the Maharashtra Elephanta, Ajanta, and Ellora caves. In the second cave, the Shivling is situated in inscriptions written in Sanskrit and Brahmi characters from the 7th century.
Location: H23F+267 Arvalem Caves, Rudreshwar Colony, Harvale, Goa 403505
Timings: 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm
3. Se Cathedral Church
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Se Cathedral Church, also known as Se Cathedral de Santa Catarina, is in old Goa. The word ‘se’ translates to see in Portuguese. This church was built to celebrate the victory of the Portuguese over a Muslim army that led to the capture of Goa in 1510. After that victory, the governor, George Cabral, enlarged the remains in 1552. Later, the church’s construction started in 1562 under King Dom Sebastio. The building was completed in 1619 and became a place of worship in 1640. Two towers were near the church, but one collapsed in 1776. The church’s architecture is in Portuguese-Manueline style. One of the tower houses has a large bell known as the Golden Bell. This bell is known to be the largest in Goa and one of the best in the world. The church walls have many old paintings, and there is a chapel of the Cross of Miracles, which is believed to be where a vision of Christ appeared in 1619.
Location: GW36+HV4 Se Cathedral, Old Goa, Goa 403402
Timings: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
Suggested Read: Churches In Goa
4. Colva Beach
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Colva Beach, located in Goa, is a famous tourist destination. The beach extends up to 2.4 km and comprises 25 km of powder-white sand and coconut palms. It extends into Bogmalo Beach in the north and Cabo de Rama Beach in the south. The beach has become a tourist industry with many food stalls, restaurants, hotels, and other developments with fun nightlife activities. Lifeguards monitor this beach, and the swimming areas are flagged with colourful flags for the safety of tourists. This beach is crowded mainly throughout the year and is known to be one of the most famous beaches in Goa. This beach is mainly visited by Indians and neglected by foreigners. There are many water sports like paragliding, snorkelling, speed boat rides, water scooter rides, motor boat rides, banana boat rides and jet skiing at this beach. This beach is famous for its sunset views and calm, serene, peaceful blue waves. But during the night, it perks up, and it becomes the best place for party lovers.
Location: Colva Beach, Goa
Timings: Open throughout the day
5. Goa Chitra Museum
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The Goa Chitra Museum is in Goa, based on the former Portuguese colony. It has a collection of over 4000 artefacts about Goa’s traditional agrarian technology and lifestyle. This museum is based on the coastal Goan village of Benaulim. This museum opened to the public in 2009. This museum has been described as one of Goa’s most charming attractions. This museum has preserved many traditional implements, vessels and tools for centuries. This museum was initially started by Victor, who was passionate about collecting vintage and rare discarded artefacts. He lived with his grandmother and learned the importance of preserving history, culture, and traditions through material culture. After his studies, he returned to Goa, collected various objects, and organised them in one place, making the Goa Chitra Museum. This museum also conducts workshops for children from schools and university students to meet artisans, express their works and learn about their importance. Goa Chitra Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with an entry fee of 300 rupees.
Location: Goa Chitra Museum, H.No. 498, Near Auxilium High School, Benaulim, Goa 403716
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Further Read: Forts In Goa
Situated in the north-eastern part of Goa, Bonda Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Goa. Now that you have a list of things to keep in mind while travelling to Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, explore the serenity of Goa and delve deeper into its rich environment. So what are you waiting for? Embark on a journey of a lifetime and plan your trip to Goa today to explore Goa like never before.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
What type of flora and fauna is found in Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary?
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary has trees like Terminalia crenulata and rosewood. It has various animal species like the Gaur, jungle cat, leopard, wild boar, porcupine, pangolin and many more varieties of reptiles, insects, amphibians and birds.
How to reach Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary?
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is 56 km away from Dabolim Airport and 48 km away from Madgaon Railway Station. Tourists can take a local vehicle, like a taxi or bus, to reach the sanctuary. They can also take bikes for rentals, which is a common mode of transportation in Goa.
What are some famous watersports in Goa?
There are numerous water sports activities in Goa. Some of them are parasailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, paragliding, speed boat rides, river rafting, kayaking, swimming, surfing, jet skiing and many more.
What are some places to visit near Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary?
There are many places to visit near this sanctuary, like Candolim Beach, Shri Shantadurga Temple, Arvalem caves, Arvalem waterfalls, Se Cathedral Church and many more.
What is the best time to visit Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary?
The best time to visit Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is between October and April because the climate is pleasant during these times, which is perfect for tourists to enjoy watersports and safaris without much hassle.
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