Benaulim

By ajaychaudhary2nd

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Benaulim (also called Banaley) is located about 2km south of Colva and 10km west of Margao. It is a relaxed and friendly place at the more peaceful and pleasant end of Colva beach. The sea is safe for swimming.

It is a town of immense natural beauty, located along the scenic south goa coastline. Legend has it that Lord Parashurama, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, shot an arrow from the Sahyadri mountains in adjacent Konkan; the arrow (Baan in Sanskrit) landed at the site of this present-day town. The village also host a special significance for Christians as it is the birthplace of Father Joseph Vaz.

Benaulim derives it name from the Sanskrit word Banali, “the place where the arrow landed.” It is said that Goa was created when Parasuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, fired an arrow into the sea. He ordered the water to recede from the place the arrow landed.

If you head south toward Varca you find fairly secluded beaches away from the hawkers and fruit sellers.

In the center of the village, at the main intersection (Maria Hall Crossroads), are two good general stores, the Bank of Baroda, a laundry place, some cafes, the bus stand, and an auto-rickshaw and taxi stand. There are several places here where you can rent bicycles (Rs 30 a day) and motorbikes.

Buses from Margao, Colva and Varca stop every half hour about 1½ km from the beach, in the center of the village. It is a 50 minutes ride to Dabolim Airport.

The Bank of Baroda can give a cash advance on a Visa card, but does not exchange money. To exchange money, you can go to the Sanatan Travel Agency in Colva, or a bank in Margao. The L’Amour Beach Resort exchanges money for guests.

Sarken Tour Operators and L’Amour can book and reconfirm flights. They can also arrange tickets for the catamaran boat, trains, and deluxe buses.

The post office is in Colva.

Domnick’s operates boat trips to Palolem for Rs 300, with meals included.

You can take a boat trip to the island for Rs 50.


Goa is well connected by air, road and rail transport from important cities in India. Regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai connect Goa. One can drive down to Goa from Mumbai. Indian and Konkan Railway run regular trains from different cities in India to Goa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benaulim




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