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In Palolem village you will come across Figueiredo House. This house was built in early twentieth century by Figueiredo family. It now commercially exists as a hotel. Must visit if you like to appreciate Portuguese architecture.
The Mallikarjun Temple is at Shristhal, some 2.5 km away from Chaudi on the main-road leading to Karwar and is one where devotees head for advice from oracles called the 'kaul'. The advice of the oracles is taken either from priests in a trance or by them interpreting the way flower petals drop down.
Locally, Mallikarjun is a popular deity, as visible from the names of local educational institutions. This centuries-old temple was renovated in 1778.
Chaudi also known as Chauri or Canacona is situated at about 33 km south of Margao. It is the main center of the Canacona district. It is mainly visited when one wants to get to Palolem, which is situated 2 km west. To the northeast of the town at about 1.5 km stands the new railway station.
Chaudi has a church known as the Saint Theresa of Jesus Church. It also has a famous market where one can get a lot of spices and all other necessary provisions. There are a number of restaurants that serve good South Indian food and other tasty dishes and drinks. There are some good hotels also for accommodation nearby.
Dolphins frequent the waters around Palolem and can often be seen showing off their acrobatics from the beach. Dolphin trips can be arranged where the boat trip organizers can guarantee a sighting - if you are lucky enough you may even find them swimming in the sea with you!
A little ahead of Butterfly Beach lies another exotic cove hidden excellently between two hills. Locally and Popularly known as Honeymoon Beach because it is not accessible by foot and only the adventurous few venture to discover it.
This hidden beach is favourite amongst lovers and newly weds because the whole beach is to oneself where one can dare to do skinny dipping, full body tan or just do something wild amidst nature.
Conco Island is a wooded island, which is pre-aged to the bay of Palolem. The island is also under the name of Canacona Island or Monkey Island, since over there monkeys live, which withdraw themselves into the adjacent forests. The island can be reached at low-tide simply by a very short swim or by wading across in knee deep waters during low tide. Also there are regular boat rides to Monkey Island, for those who don’t want to get their feet wet.
The Talpona river mouth area comprises a unique ecosystem with prominent sand dunes and associated Casuarina vegetation along the northern sea front, a luxuriant growth of mangroves within the estuary and a headland with a thick forest cover in the south. The entire belt is characterized by majestic sand dunes, some as high as 6 – 8 m. At some places, close to the existing parallel road, high dunes have been blatantly razed and obliterated. Talpona River originates in the dense, mixed jungles of Ravan Dongor (Demon Hill) in between Nane and Kuskem on the Sahyadri Mountains. It comes down by passing Bhatpal, fed by the tributary, and drains into the Arabian Sea near the village of Talpona in Canacona Taluka. The river develops a length of around 31 kms. It has three other tributaries named Nadke, Gaondongrem, and Khalwade.
The place surrounding the Chapoli Dam in Canacona is a wonderful eco – tourist spot. Chapoli in Canacona is blessed with natural beauty. This is a very small dam surrounded by small rolling hills in the backdrop. Lot of fishing activity goes on around these dam waters. The Chapoli Dam is situated 1 km north-east of Chaudi in Canacona. It is approximately 40 km from Margao.
The dam is located in a scenic spot extending westward from the Sahyadris. It makes it an excellent spot to take a break as it lies deep in the valley between hills. The Chapoli dam supplies drinking water to a part of the Canacona taluka. It is not much frequented even though it is only a kilometer from the Canacona town. However it is visited by those who intend to take a good break.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Canacona Taluka of South Goa. The sanctuary has eight well laid out nature trails traversing it. There are six watchtowers in the sanctuary. Also there is one 'tree top', it is situated about 20 meters high on a tree overlooking a waterhole. Both the Gal and Talpona rivers of Canacona Taluka originate from the sanctuary. At the entrance to the sanctuary there is an ecotourism complex which houses the nature interpretation centre, cottages, toilets, library, reception area, rescue centre, canteen and Range Forest Office. The lesser-known animals in the sanctuary include the Flying Squirrel, Slender Loris, Indian Pangolin, Mouse Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Malabar Pit Viper, Hump-Nosed Pit Viper, White-bellied Woodpecker, Malabar Trogon, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Speckled Piculet, Malayan Bittern, Draco or Flying Lizard, Golden-back Gliding Snake and Malabar Tree Toad.
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