Hidden in Obscurity - The Royal Palace of the Soundekar Rajas (Curca-Moula- Ponda, Goa, India)

Important Note: 

1. Check the COVID 19 travel restrictions of the place online before undertaking your sojourn.
2. Kindly note that the Distance of places, Prices, Hotel rates, Temperature, and other figures may change according to the conditions prevailing at the time of your visit. There may even be short cuts and extra conveyance available that you can avail of when traveling locally. Tourists must conduct their own research before traveling and take due diligence on rates & distances from authorized online sources. All the facts and information provided in relation to the place is for my own personal use and collected from different online sources and collated together. For more details, Click this link DISCLAIMER.

Lost in the annals of time and neglected by generations, lies an important part of the history of Goa - The hidden mansion of the Sundekar Rajas at Moula-Curca, Goa. Long before Goa unchained the shackles of colonial rule, there existed a feudal vessel of many a kingdom and served as their benefactors in expeditions. The Sundekar Rajas served almost all dynasties - The Adil Shahi, Marathas, Portuguese with utmost dedication and loyalty. It was during the reign of Hyder Ali that they were expelled from their ancestral royal kingdom in Sunda, Karnataka. They sought refuge from the Portuguese who were generous enough to welcome them and grant them privileges. The Soundekar Rajas were kingly class and wore turbans & royal robes bedecked with jewelry and filigree. 

Lying in a 2-3 acre plot is Shivtirth Palace, the majestic edifice in Bandoda, Ponda which served as a residential place for the kingly class. It has a main courtyard, reminiscent of many Hindu homes, and has still maintained its bygone glory. The palace also encloses a sacred tank of the royal descendants where some religious events are still held with much fanfare. 

[Entry to Hidden Palace]

The Soundekar kings built a massive underground structure, fit to be called a palace to hide from the prying eye of the enemies, and is still intact in its former glory. A secret passageway wide enough for one person to enter in the midst of a forested area will take everyone by surprise. Once in, get ready to be mesmerized by the sheer size of the structure. The majestic pillars and divine Arch's will outwit your senses as to how they managed its construction. The plaster is laid out using jaggery and lime and has withstood the test of time. The exact location is Moula, Curca, lying around 8-10 km from Panjim in Tiswadi Taluka. If you are a travel junkie out to visit this sunny state of Goa, then try rejigging your itinerary and include this heritage trail in your list. You will not regret it. 

Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is located at Dabolim Vasco, Goa which is at a distance of around 20kms from Curca in Tiswadi taluka. . The exact location is in between Ponda and Panjim but in close proximity to Panjim.  

Nearest railhead: Old Goa is the nearest rail station on the northern side and Karmali on the Ponda side.

Hotels/Accommodations in Panjim/ Ponda:

Most of the Soundekar heritage lies in Ponda, Canacona, Quepem, and Marmagoa talukas, so it was obvious to list Panjim / Ponda in my article. This is to assist travelers who would like to visit the Shivtirth Palace in Ponda and then tour the hidden palace. 

 

Being a tourist place, there is no doubt about the availability of hotel rooms and lodges. There are a plethora of accommodation choices right in the center of Panjim and Ponda city with reasonable rates.   

MakeMyTrip, OYO, and GTDC (Goa Tourism) provide accommodation suiting every budget travelers. For travelers inclined to lodge type setups, there are many locally-owned guesthouses in Panjim / Ponda which will come in handy. The rustic stays in heritage villas will transport you to the colonial era of yore. 

Panjim / Ponda has plenty of vegs & non-veg restaurants to suit every pocket. Travelers experiencing a stop-start type of internet connectivity issues can get a first-hand experience of real Goan hospitality. Just ask any true blue Goan the directions to any place and be assured to never lose your way. 

Goans by nature are very helpful and you can navigate your way without carrying any maps, guides, and the GPS just by asking any local for good options on hotels and tourist places. 

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• St Ann Church, Talaulim  - Imposing, majestic church in Talaulim village on top of a hill overlooking Panjim city. Built during the Portuguese era, this iconic church reminds you of Lisbon architectural remnants. 
• Old Goa  - Once a capital city and a fabled kingdom, Old Goa was a prosperous city during colonial times, and many kingly powers descended here just to experience its glory. Don't forget to visit See Cathedral housing the remains of Goa famous saint, Francis Xavier. The area surrounding See Catherdral will astound you with its huge spaces, manicured gardens, and amazing architecture. 
• Mary Immaculate Church, Panjim  - Another religious wonder, the high, zigzag path crisis crossing to reach the top at the church will leave you in awe. 

The route along Curca, Moulim, Talaulim, Batim, Aggasiam, Panelim, Goa Velha, Pilar were once a stronghold of the Kadambas, another royal kingdom from Karnataka which ruled Goa. Tourists interested to inquire more into the Kadambas history can visit 'Rajbid - or the Royal road' of the Kadambas in Panelim, Old Goa, and the Queens enclosure which was the bathing place for the royal queens. 

Kushavati river in Chandor,  near Zuari, is another heritage place which was also a bathing place for the Kadamba queens.

Travel Tip: Don’t forget to carry a flash Torch and wear knee-length boots while visiting Soundekar Palace in Curca, as you will be traversing a forested land and there is a possibility of stamping on some reptiles (just a caution!). Also, carry an HD/SLR CAMERA(preferable) to curate the memories.