Located in Ponda Taluka of South Goa District, India is the beautiful village of Shiroda. The village is characterised by scenic beauty and artistic charm. The village is surrounded by tall green palm trees and sparkling salt fields that resembled white pearls. It is located 36 km east of Panaji, the state capital, and one can reach via NH4A.
Village Life and Demographics
Shiroda has a population of about 14,000 people. Of these, 21% are from Scheduled Tribes and 2% from Scheduled Castes. In Shiroda, the literacy rate is quite high at 79.7%, with 38.3% of women being literate.
Temples and Religious Significance
Several temples and religious places adorn the hamlet, Shiroda. It would seem that the name “Shiroda” is derived from “Shivanath,” meaning “Drawn from God.” The main attraction of this place, visited by a number of people, happens on the New Moon day of every month—the Kamakshi Temple. There is another big festival in this village called zatra on Shivaratri, which gets devotees from Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Other major temples here are the Ravalnath, Mahamaya, Madhav, Veer Bhadra, Betal, Shivnath, Narayan Dev, Kelbai Sateri, Kshetrapal, Mahamaya, Brahma Durga, Bhagwati, and Mandaleshwara. The Mandaleshwar Temple is the oldest of them, dating to the eighth century, and houses the village deity.
Education in Shiroda
This place incorporates education at Shiroda in a stronghold. The institutions that function here include the Shree Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering and Information Technology, Gomantak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya & Research Centre, and Shri Kamaxshi Devi Homeopathic Medical College & Hospital. Institutions like 20 government primary schools, one middle school, seven high schools, and two higher secondary schools are also housed in the village.
Festivals and Celebrations
The people of Shiroda celebrate different festivals throughout the year, such as Shigmo, Dhendlo, carnival, and Dasara. Inauguration of the Dasara celebrations starts from the Betal Temple, then at the Valpeshwar Temple, and finally at the Ravalnath Temple.
Visiting Shiroda
Now, if you are visiting Shiroda, here are the important places of interest. Of course, the temples and the natural beauty of this village that you can view while going for a walk. You would also be shopping at plenty of restaurants to taste the local food.
Best times to be in Goa are during winter months with clear and warm weather. December and January can get crowded and pricey, though. For a little peace, you might want to visit during the off-season of the monsoon season from June to September when the surroundings are lush green.
How to Get to Shiroda
You can reach Shiroda from Serula in Goa via NH66 or NH748, covering almost 42 kilometres. You can also reach there by flying to Dabolim International Airport, located at a distance of 31 km, or you can come via rail through Margao Railway Station, located at a distance of 19 kilometers.
Conclusion
Shiroda stands as a beautiful village embalmed with rich cultural heritage and offers its visitors a unleashing dose of exploration along with relaxation. Be it temples or local cuisine, the tiny but charming Goan village gets something to delight everyone.
