Explore
These quiet villages hold ancient ruins, a 400-year-old church, and ties to pre-Portuguese Goa.
Malar and Naroa sit away from the main routes on Divar Island. These villages highlight the island's deep Hindu heritage and early colonial history.
You will find centuries-old architecture and sparse remnants of past empires. Exploring these historical stops takes about an hour in total.
20-30 minutes400+ years old
This church is over 400 years old and serves as the spiritual center for the Catholic community in Malar. Take a close look at the walls to find unique historic graves. Locals built them directly into the structure due to limited burial space in the past.
20-30 minutesAncient bathing tank
This ancient 108-temple bathing tank is a crucial piece of pre-Portuguese history. It marks the original site of the Saptakoteshwar Temple before it was relocated in the 14th century. Stop here to understand the island's early Hindu roots.
20-30 minutesWear closed-toe shoes
Located on the northern tip of the island, these are the sparse remnants of a 16th-century military camp. The Deccan Sultanates originally built the fort. The area is heavily overgrown, so wear closed-toe shoes to safely navigate the brush.
