Goa photos on Flickr

Goa Lawah Temple 034 by Richard Lamprecht

Goa Lawah is one of Bali’s most important temples. It features a complex built around a cave opening that is inhabited by hordes of bats, and its name translates to 'Bat Cave’. This temple was established in the 11th century by Mpu Kuturan, one of early priests who laid the foundations of Hinduism on the island. Goa Lawah is located in the village of Pesinggahan, Dawan district, bordering the Klungkung and Karangasem regencies. This landmark is one of the first stops on tours to Candidasa and further eastern regions within the Karangasem regency.

The Goa Lawah Temple is a large complex on the north side of the Jalan Raya Goa Lawah main road. It is a stopover for holidaying locals who come in with offerings and do short prayers before continuing with their journey. For general visitors, it is an included itinerary on temple tours for photo. Two large banyan trees stand tall at the main entrance of Goa Lawah. Upon entering the temple’s central courtyard, you will see three bale pavilions in three corners of the complex. These bale are usually where fruit offerings are placed and where gamelan bands play during major ceremonies.

At the centrepiece are age-old shrines which have withstood the hordes of nectar bats (Eonycteris spelaea) chirping in a frenzied din around and behind the shrines at the cave opening. Here is also a Shivaite shrine which has stood for thousands of years, together with a bale adorned with the motifs of Naga Basuki, the mythical dragon who is believed to keep the cosmos at a balance.

Once a place for deep meditation for priests, despite seeming impossible to do so amid the chirping, with the hollow cave opening amplifying the noise. Yet, people believe the constant natural high pitches aided in their focus of thoughtsThe tale goes that a prince from the Mengwi kingdom hid away from enemies inside the cave and subsequently followed through, eventually emerging at Besakih Templeon the foot of Mount Agung, which is northeast from this location. No one has attempted to prove or bring light to this interesting tale.

According to the locals and the temple community, the cave leads to three different locations, Mount Agung (Besakih), Talibeng and Tangkid Bangbang. There are various accounts that when Mount Agung erupted in 1963, ash emerged from Goa Lawah.The best time to visit is in the mornings when most of the locals living in the nearby villages come for their daily prayers. However, afternoons are also pleasant, as the large trees provide a balance of shade to cool the sultry southern beach breezes from across the road. Goa Lawah’s piodalan or grand temple anniversary takes place every 210 days on the Balinese Pawukon calendar cycle of an Anggara Kasih Medangsia Tuesday, the same anniversary day as Uluwatu Temple’s.

With its constant flow of pilgrims and visitors, the temple is well-managed and maintained. Goa Lawah has undergone a series of renovations around its walls and gates in the outer perimeters over the years. Expect a denser flock of pilgrims up to the Nyepi holiday, when rituals of Melasti take place on the Saka New Year Eve. Long pilgrimages from various temples including Goa Lawah towards the coastlines take place when sacred heirlooms and temple items are blessed near the sea.

Band ALCATRAZZ by Joegoauk Goa

Goa Food and Music Festival 2016 by Heraldgroup at Campal grounds 29, 30 April and 1st May 2016

goa_MG_9039-beach.jpg by Martin Thomas Photography

india, goa, beach sari, women

Goa by Aaron Geddes

Goa, India

January/February 2013

goa honeymoon 035 by radrabble

TAG's Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Awards 2015 by Joegoauk Tiatr

Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) celebrated the Birth Anniversary of Pai Tiatrist, Joao Agostinho Fernandes on Monday, 14th December 2015 at Pai Tiatrist auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.

On this occasion TAG presented Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Awards to 6 tiatr artistes who have contributed immensely towards the development of tiatr stage. They are T. Britton, Sharon Mazarello, Xavier Gomes, Diniz Mestri, Fatima D’Souza and Lawrence de Tiracol. Shri. Vishnu Surya Wagh, Hon’ble M.L.A. and Chairman of Kala Academy Goa was the Chief Guest. Shri. Damodar Naik, Chaiman of Ravindra Bhavan – Margao as the Guest of Honour. Shri. Tomazinho Cardozo, former President of Tiatr Academy as the Special Invitee.

Video youtu.be/BM_FhPvUAaQ

Brass Band Welcome

Goa beach holiday by priti mishra

Goa beach holiday in India organize this year with all resource and parachute trip.

Aguada Beach, Goa by Shine Gold Tours India

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 Fort of Aguada was built by the Portuguese to defend Goa from the attacks of the invaders and to stop foreign intruders or enemies from entering through the River Mandovi. The fortification borders the seashore. From the bulwark of Fort Aguada, one can get a breath-taking view of the golden beaches encompassing the borders of the Maharashtra. At the center of the fortress is a spherical lighthouse tower which was probably built in 1864. If one manages to reach the summit of the lighthouse, then the fantastic sight of Cabo Raj Niwas can be viewed. Presently,the Fort presently houses the central jail.

Besides the panoramic view of the fort and the beach, there are also several other things in Aguada beach that are worthy of interest. There are some wonderful churches that impress the tourists with their serene and blissful atmosphere. The silence is only perturbed by the sudden call of an unknown bird amidst nature or the crashing sound of waves and sometimes by the noisy visitors.

Goa by Aaron Geddes