Safa Masjid Ponda
The Safa Masjid is located in Ponda taluka near the KTC bus stand. It is the oldest functioning mosque in Goa. The mosque was built in 1560 during the reign of Sultan Ali Adil Shah.
The Safa Masjid is a small single chambered mosque with tiled roof having flight of steps in front.
The architecture of the mosque is an Indo-Islamic fusion. The tank and the mosque are made up of laterite stone masonry. On the top half of the mosque, the ‘Mehrab’ double arches are crowned with a beautiful lotus bud motif which adds to the prestige beauty of this mosque
The interesting feature of the Safa Masjid is the huge tank with 44 ‘hammams’ i.e. hot air baths, in its four interior sides in Islamic ‘Mehrab’ style arcs.
One can still see the remnants of the ‘Mehrab’ arcs on all the four sides of the mosque where the top half of the mosque is plastered with a cream color with eaves design and ruins of laterite pillars in the surroundings of the mosque.
The two major festivals of Id-Ul-Fitr and Id-Ul-Zuha are celebrated at this mosque with great pomp.
History
Around 27 mosques were built during the Adil Shah dynasty in 16th century Goa. While most of these mosques were destroyed during the Portuguese Inquisition between 1560 and 1812, the Safa Masjid remained unharmed and stood tall to tell its tale.
Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur was one of the oldest rulers of India. He is also credited with building the Reis Magos Fort in 1497 overlooking the Mandovi River in the Bardez province of Goa.
Safa Masjid, also called the Safa Shahouri Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Goa. It was built by Ibrahim Adil Shah in 1560. Safa is Arabic for ‘Pure’ and the mosque quite rightly justifies the term. The single chambered mosque has a modest prayer room and a terracotta roof. Overall structural framework is quite similar to an olden style Portuguese home, seen in Goa till date. The star attraction of Safa Masjid is the huge laterite stone masonry tank with turquoise waters located within the mosque complex. The 30 x 30m water tank is said to have over 40 hammams, built in Mihrab style of architecture.
Monuments in Goa
Monuments In Goa If your planning to come on a holiday to Goa, dont ever miss a chance to explore the monumental wonders that flavour this palm-fringed place! Tourists from all over the world cluster here to muddle up with the golden sand and beaches of Goa. Surprisingly very few people are aware of the fact that besides, being a beach state, this place is actually a treasure trove of architectural marvels. You will be amazed to see an impressive array of medieval European architecture - an exclusive interweaving of Portuguese-Gothic style with a Tuscan exterior and Corinthian interior - exhibited inside the walls of these spectacular monuments. The sheer scale and proportion of the country mansions together with the magnificence of its interiors makes them the grandest of all country mansions.
A monument is a statue, building, or other edifice created to commemorate a person, event or as an artistic object. They are frequently used to improve the appearance of a city or location. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 defines an Ancient Monument
Ancient Monument means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years and includes:- remains of an ancient monument, Site of an ancient monument. Such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument,The means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument.
Some of the beautiful monuments of goa are:- Viceroys Arch Goa, Statue of Abbe Faria Goa, Azad Maidan Goa, Goa Medical College Goa etc.
The calm churches, rugged forts, exquisite temples and grandiose country mansions of Goa attract countless tourists from all over the world. So, feel the pleasure of visiting these numerous structures that highlights this beautiful beach land of India.
