GOA – TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

One typically associates Goa with just beautiful beaches, fun, food and party. But what if we told you that Goa isn’t just for the party-lovers. It is as much for the historians, temple tourists and art lovers as it for the fun seekers and leisure travelers.

Through this article, we will bring out some of the forgotten stories of Goa – of a sleepy, nondescript village in South Goa called Chandor, which once was the flourishing capital of the Goan Hindu kingdom before the arrival of the Portuguese. Located on the banks of river Kushavati, Chandaura or Chandapura as it was known earlier, this little town is now just a string of ruins and dust, but that doesn’t belie its magnificent history. For the keen eye, it only instigates curiosity.

The ancient capital was a naturally endowed with iron ore and was well-connected by trade thanks to its proximity to rivers and the sea. Did you know that the Bhojas dynasty ruled over the current Goa from 4th century AD and the Kadambas reigned in the 11th century AD? But when the Portuguese came, they annexed this town from its Hindu King Harihara in a bloody battle after slaying both the king and his men.

In 1930s Father Heras first excavated Chandor, later followed by the Archaeological Survey of India which further excavated Chandor between 1974 and 1975 under SR Raja. The city continued to be explored by historians well into the early 2000s too. And slowly the rich and forgotten history of Goa’s Chandor came to the fore.

While exploring Chandor wouldn’t find a place in a typical tourist’s itinerary, it should be on any history buffs travel plan. Here’s a list of places that are an absolute must-visit when you are in South Goa.