Goa Beyond Beaches: The Hidden Spiritual Soul of India’s Western Coast

Goa: Beyond the Beaches — A Continuing Spiritual Journey

Goa — that small, sun-washed state on India’s western coast- is often imagined as a paradise of beaches, seafood, and fun living. Yet beneath that lies another Goa: serene, soulful, and steeped in centuries of devotion and tradition. Its history stretches far beyond the shimmering shoreline — from being part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE to flourishing under ancient Hindu dynasties between 1000 and 1200 AD, followed by the rule of the Adil Shahs, and then over four centuries of Portuguese influence. This long and layered past has given Goa a unique cultural rhythm — one where temple bells and church choirs seem to coexist in harmony after its liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961.

When India became independent in 1947, Goa still remained under Portuguese control. It was only in 1961 that it found its own freedom — and since then, the transformation has been remarkable. Today, Goa offers world-class tourism infrastructure and global connectivity. But beyond the resorts and nightlife, hidden among lush hills, coconut groves, cashew orchards  and paddy fields, lies a Goa that whispers stories of faith, resilience, and quiet grace.

My own connection with Goa began in 1989, when it was still a Union Territory and reaching it from eastern India felt like an adventure in itself. Those early journeys were long and winding — yet each trip left me with a sense of wonder. Since 2015, I have returned regularly and, from 2022, frequently. With every visit, I find myself less drawn to the beaches and more to the solitude of temples, mutts, ashrams, and even the centuries-old churches that shape Goa’s spiritual landscape.

On my recent trip, I revisited several temples I had seen before — and it felt as if time itself had slowed. Each temple was pristine and peaceful, surrounded by natural beauty — water bodies, flowering trees, and the gentle murmur of existence. The air carried a quiet devotion. There was no rush, no crowd — only a rhythm of faith that seemed to flow effortlessly through these sacred spaces.

Many of these temples have stories of displacement and return. During Portuguese rule, several idols were carried across borders — to Karnataka and Maharashtra — for safekeeping. After liberation, they slowly returned to their original homes. Some of these shrines are over 500 years old, while the famed Tambdi Surla temple — carved in black basalt — has stood for more than a thousand years, weathering monsoon after monsoon in stoic silence.

The heart of this sacred geography lies around Ponda, Revora, Marcel, Netravali, Bicholim where the Mahalakshmi, Shantadurga, Mangeshi, Narsimha, Shrimad Anant Devasthan (Savoi Verem), Vimaleshwar (Revora), Ramnathi, Nagueshi, Devki, Damodar,Kavlem Ashram. Kashi Mutt and Bhootnath temples create a divine circuit of sorts. Each has its own rhythm — the clang of bells, the chant of mantras,  Makrotsav during Navratri and  the soft rustle of devotees moving barefoot across cool stone floors. Even along the coastal belt, several temples stand beautifully preserved, quietly reminding visitors that Goa’s soul has always been as deep as its sea.

Originally, these shrines served as Kuladevata (family deity) temples — intimate, ancestral spaces of worship. Over time, they opened their doors to all devotees, becoming symbols of unity and endurance. Their continued existence is a testament to the strength of Goa’s Hindu community — who, despite centuries of upheaval, kept their traditions alive with unwavering faith.

What surprises me most is how little this spiritual side of Goa features in mainstream tourism. The Ponda region, in particular, could easily be the spiritual location of western India — much like Rishikesh  in the north — with its cluster of ancient temples, matts and ashrams set amidst forests, rivers, and rolling green hills.

Each time I leave Goa to come again , I carry with me more than memories of sunsets and seafood. I carry the calm of temple courtyards, the echo of ancient chants, and a deep sense of continuity — of how faith endures even when everything else changes. Beyond the beaches, Goa is a sanctuary for the soul — timeless, tranquil, and quietly alive.

Shantadurga Temple, Kavlem
Graceful and grand, this temple’s red-tiled roofs and whitewashed towers rise amid verdant hills — a perfect balance of serenity and devotion.

Mahalakshmi Temple, Mardol

Shrimad Anant Devasthan, Savoi Verem
Set amid lush greenery, this temple feels timeless.

Vimaleshwar Temple, Revora
Peaceful and less-frequented, it reflects the simplicity and warmth of village life — where faith feels both intimate and enduring.

Narsimha temple