Details
Tourist
Attractions:
Salim
Ali
Bird
Sanctuary,
Reis
Magos
Church
Salim
Ali
Bird
Sanctuary
Location:
Island
of
Chorao
near
Mandovi
River.
How
to
reach:
Take
a
bus/cab
from
Panaji
to
the
Ribandar
ferry
dock
and
then
take
a
ferry
across
the
Mandovi
River
to
the
island
of
Chorao.
Best
season:
October
to
March.
Main
Attraction:
Exotic
bird
species
and
small
wild
animals.
One
of
the
smallest
bird
sanctuaries,
Dr.
Salim
Ali
Bird
sanctuary
has
been
named
after
India's
renowned
ornithologist.
This
sanctuary
is
spread
over
an
area
of
merely
1.8
square
kilometers.
Though
small,
the
sanctuary
homes
around
400
species
of
birds,
both
local
and
migratory.
The
sanctuary
can
be
visited
after
seeking
permission
from
the
Chief
Wild
Life
Warden,
Forest
Department,
Panaji.
Besides
a
rich
diversity
of
exotic
birds,
one
may
catch
a
glimpse
of
wild
animals
like
crocodiles,
foxes,
and
jackals.
The
sanctuary
is
open
throughout
the
year,
though
it
is
better
to
avoid
it
during
the
monsoons
and
summers
when
it
can
get
really
hot
and
humid.
The
area
is
covered
with
dense
mangrove
vegetation.
Mangrove
ecology
is
among
the
most
prolific
ones
known.
They
provide
shelter
and
basis
for
procreation
for
a
number
of
varieties
of
fish
and
insects,
which
form
the
base
of
the
food
chain.
Reis
Magos
Church
Location:
Banks
of
Mandovi
River
in
the
village
named
Reis
Magos
Highlights:
Feast
of
Three
wise
Men
every
year,
Reis
Magos
Fort
How
to
Reach:
One
can
always
reach
this
church
easily
by
hiring
local
transport
like
taxis,
autos
and
buses
from
anywhere
in
Goa.
The
Reis
Magos
church
of
Goa
is
one
of
the
most
famous
landmarks
of
the
Reis
Magos
village
located
in
Goa.
This
famous
church
is
visible
from
across
the
River
Mandovi
as
a
white
monument
that
is
stunningly
beautiful
to
look
at.
The
church
is
located
on
the
road
that
passes
the
famous
Calangute
and
Candolim
beaches.
If
you
go
till
the
Verem
Bazaar
and
take
a
turn
past
a
Hindu
tree
shrine,
you
shall
reach
the
Reis
Magos.
The
Reis
Magos
church
is
famous
for
annual
feast
that
is
held
on
6th
of
January
and
is
dedicated
to
the
Three
Wise
Men.
This
magnificent
church
was
built
way
back
in
1555.
The
church
is
dedicated
to
St.
Jerome.
This
church
was
taken
over
by
the
Franciscan
friars
who
watched
over
the
missionary
work
here.
They
also
founded
a
small
educational
institution
over
here.
The
Reis
Magos
fort
is
another
famous
attraction
here
that
was
built
before
the
church
was
built.
It
is
said
that
the
church
was
built
on
the
ruins
of
an
ancient
Hindu
temple.
The
evidence
in
front
of
you
in
the
form
of
a
sacred
Hindu
symbol
that
is
typical
of
the
Vijayanagar
temple
style.
As
you
climb
the
stairs
of
the
church,
you
get
to
see
the
bas-relief
lion
statues
on
the
sides
of
the
stairs,
which
is
typical
of
a
Hindu
temple.
The
church
had
much
importance
during
the
Portugal
rule
and
in
fact
two
Viceroys
of
Goa
were
buried
over
here
and
their
tomb
stones
are
still
present.
The
church
is
decorated
beautifully
inside
and
is
quite
colorful,
unlike
the
outside
walls
that
painted
in
sparkling
white.
The
wooden
supports
are
multi
colored
and
show
depictions
of
the
Three
Wise
Men
going
with
gifts
to
see
Baby
Jesus
Christ.
The
altar
is
quite
high
and
has
the
above
mentioned
backdrop.
Every
year
the
church
hosts
the
annual
feast
of
the
Three
Wise
Men
on
January
6th.
The
locals
of
the
village
participate
enthusiastically
and
enact
the
roles
of
the
Three
Kings
of
Magi.
A
procession
to
mark
the
journey
of
the
three
kings
begins
from
the
church
and
goes
around
the
village
spreading
cheer
and
happiness.
