The invasion of Goa by the Bahamini Kingdom in 1350 brought about complete destruction to Goa, its temples and its institutions. The invaders, driven by fanatic zeal destroyed temples, murdered priests and systematically looted their wealth. Many deities got moved to safer areas, only one survives to this very day- the Shree Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla.
The end of the first period of the Bahamini rule was following their defeat by the the Hindu Empire of Vijayanagar (14-15th century AD). The Bahaminis returned again in 1470 and won and with that victory, Goa became a part of the Muslim Bahmani Kingdom of the Deccan (15th century). The Bahaminis created a new city to facilitate trade on the northern banks of the river Mandovi, a city they called Ela. In 1492, the Bahmani Kingdom split into five kingdoms, namely Bidar, Berar, Ahmadnagar, Golconda and Bijapur. One of the kingdoms namely Bijapur (which was the capital of the territory) included Goa and was ruled by Sultan Yusuf Adil Shah Khan.
Kala Academy
The Kala Academy of Goa, a state-sponsored autonomous organization, was set up in 1970 to revive and enrich the long traditions of Goan Art and Culture spanning over 2000 years. The Academy's aims, objects and activities are focused at preserving, fostering and developing dance, drama, music, literature and other arts and also promoting through them cultural unity. The Academy runs a faculty of Theatre Art, a faculty of Indian Music and Dance and a faculty of Western Music and Dance. It offers scholarships to talented, promising young artists to study and flourish in these fields.
SHRI ANANT DEVASTHAN SAVOI-VEREM
This unique temple is situated at Savoi-Verem village in Ponda taluka. The deity carved in black stone is Lord Vishnu (the God of Preservation) who is in his Anantashayya (a sleeping position where the Lord rests on the multi-headed snake king Seshnaga, whose heads shelter the head of the Lord like an umbrella). Established in 1923 A.D., this temple is the only one containing this posture of the Lord in Goa. The sprawling temple complex consisting of temples of Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush, and pillars with intricate wooden carvings and plated with silver are worth seeing.
AGUADA FORT
Fort of Aguada is situated in the north of Goa, 18 km from Panaji. The Fort of Aguada was built by the Portuguese to prevent the entry of the enemy into River Mandovi and to protect old Goa from attacks. The fortification skirts the seashore. From the ramparts of Fort Aguada, you can get a fantastic view of the golden beaches running right up to the borders of the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Climate
Goa climate is relaxed and lovely. Beaches are the best in Goa in the winter months between October and March. This is also the time Goa is most frequented by tourists. The weather during this period is amazingly pleasant.
Summers are from April and May, and it can be very hot and humid, though being in the coastal region, the gentle sea breeze is a welcome soother.
Monsoon months are from June to September. This is the season when the weather is really cool and the hill and the countryside are lush green. It is an ideal time to be in Goa if you want to "dance in the rain" or just want to sit and relax.
