Goa is a state known for its beaches in western coast of India. Beyond the beaches lies a rich archaeological landscape shaped by centuries of sacred devotion. Long before the Portuguese arrived, Goa was a vibrant center of Hindu culture. Temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Devi once dotted the lush hinterlands—many destroyed or relocated during colonial rule, yet their ruins and traditions endure.
Ancient rock-cut caves at Arvalem and Lamgao hint at early Hindu and Buddhist practices, while Jain sculptures and inscriptions testify to Goa’s role in pan-Indian religious currents. The arrival of Islam and later Christianity in the 16th century added another layer of historic sites. Of note are the Bom Jesus and Sé Cathedral, now UNESCO sites. Other sites such as Tambdi Surla—Goa’s oldest surviving Hindu temple—are part of over 50 historic sites in Goa.