Rediscover Chandor, forgotten capital of Goa

8 AM- Hotel Pick up to commence the Chandor tour830 AM- Ruins of Chandor

You will begin the Chandor tour at the excavated site of Chandor along with our cultural evangelist. Chandor was known as Chandrapur in its heydays and used to be a thriving Port and a great centre for trade and commerce between the late 6th and mid-11th centuries It was the capital of the Bhoja and Kadamba dynasties. We will walk through the old town of Chandor with its preserved ruins of an old fortification wall, a battlefield and a number of sculptures. Excavations in Chandor revealed the ruins of an 11th-century temple dedicated to Shiva. Parts of these ruins are now exposed for us to experience. A broken Nandi is prominently on display. Muslim raiders in the 13th century disfigured the Nandi while looking for hidden jewels.

Next, to this temple stands a chapel from which begins the ‘Musal Khell’ a traditional folk dance that has been a tradition since Kadamba times. Today, it is performed on the next day of the Carnival. The Kshatriya Christians of the town, who were Hindus before converting to Christianity, perform this folk dance. The Fernandes family plays a significant role in preserving this tradition.

10 AM- Sarah Fernandez heritage home

The Fernandez family was one of the elite Hindu families of Chandor before the arrival of the Portuguese. Later they converted to Christianity and took the title of Fernandes. We will explore their mansion featuring architectural elements of Goan Hindu and Catholic Architecture. Some of the highlights include the palanquins, ballroom furniture, cupboards, showpiece collection and also a secret tunnel!

11 AM- Braganza Mansion

We visit the Menezes Braganza Pereira Mansion, a royal Portuguese style house with its elegant furniture and chandeliers in the Italian marbled ballroom. The pair of the high-backed chair that was presented to the Perreira-Braganza family by the king Dom Luis, is the highlight of this Mansion. It is also believed, the family hosts a fingernail of relic of St. Francis Xavier,

The west wing of the mansion belonged to the Menezes Braganza family, a reputed nationalistic journalist, and author who contributed immensely to the Goa’s Liberation Struggle. We will spend time appreciating various artefacts and family portraits which are on display in this wing. We will finish our visit at the private library and study room of Braganza, the revolutionary.

Noon- Drop back to hotel to end the Chandor tour