01 · The Venue
Where you need to be
Sinhapurush Hall
Both halls are within the temple complex and open for the wedding. The inner sanctum has a traditional dress code — no shorts or sleeveless. Carry a shawl or dupatta if you'd like to visit it; this doesn't apply to the wedding venues.
02 · Getting Here
Finding your way to Mardol
By Air
Dabolim (GOI) is the closest — ~30 km, ~45 min. Pre-paid taxis have fixed rates.
Mopa (GOX) is newer and further (~65 km). Good if spending days up north first.
By Train
Karmali (Old Goa) is nearest, ~18 km. Taxi or auto from there.
Margao and Vasco da Gama have more connections — both ~25–35 km away.
By Road
Mardol sits on NH 4A — well-signposted and GPS-friendly. Use the Maps links in the venue section above.
Driving from Mumbai or Pune? NH 66 along the coast is genuinely beautiful.
Three options near the venue, ordered by distance. December is peak season in Goa — please book early.
Sun Inn, Ponda
"Clean rooms with a quiet ambiance, courteous and polite staff. The complimentary breakfast is really great."
Closest option — comfortable, no-frills stay for guests who want to be a short drive from the venue.
Reviews ↗Comfort Inn Elite, Old Goa
"Spacious and well-decorated rooms. Absolutely value for money — one can even watch peacocks and other birds from the property."
Well-kept stay near Old Goa's heritage quarter — great for guests pairing the wedding with sightseeing.
Hotel website ↗The Fern Kadamba, Old Goa
"Peaceful location, spacious rooms, exceptional staff. Everything was perfect — great food and warm hospitality."
Full-service hotel with spa amenities — for guests who want a more complete hotel experience.
Hotel website ↗03 · Getting Around
Moving around Goa
A quick honest word: Goa doesn't have a metro or reliable ride-hailing apps. But it has character — and several perfectly workable ways to get around.
| Rental cars | ★ Recommended | The most convenient way to explore Goa on your own schedule. Local operators like Zoomcar, Revv, and small agencies in Ponda and Panaji offer self-drive hatchbacks and SUVs from ₹1,500–3,000/day. Carry your licence and book a day or two ahead — December fills up fast. |
| Taxis | Most comfortable | Always fix the fare before you set off — taxis don't use meters. Airport pre-paid taxis have printed fixed rates; use these on arrival. |
| Scooter rental | Most freedom | The classic Goa move. ₹300–500/day. Carry your licence, inspect the bike for scratches, and always wear a helmet — NH 4A moves fast. |
| KTC Buses | Budget | Kadamba Transport Corporation covers most major routes including Ponda. Tickets ₹10–15. Buses stop around 7 pm. |
| Auto-rickshaws | In-town hops | Yellow-and-black three-wheelers in Ponda town. Good for short distances. Fix the fare before you get in. |
04 · Explore
Things to do in Goa
Whether you're here for a day or a week, Goa has many faces. Here are some worth seeking out.
Shri Mahalasa Narayani Temple
The temple you'll be celebrating in. A 450-year-old sanctuary dedicated to Goddess Mahalasa. Walk through at your own pace — the deepstambha and inner mandapa are especially beautiful.
Shri Manguesh Temple, Mangueshi
One of Goa's oldest temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Whitewashed façade, ornamental lamp tower, large temple pond. Best visited early morning.
Sahakari Spice Farm, Ponda
A working plantation with guided walks through cardamom, pepper, vanilla, and nutmeg. Goan thali lunch under the trees. A lovely, slow half-day.
Old Goa — Basilica of Bom Jesus & Sé Cathedral
Goa's Portuguese colonial heart. St. Francis Xavier's feast day falls on 3rd December — the very day of our wedding.
Panaji & Fontainhas
Goa's walkable capital. Ochre houses, tiny chapels, old bakeries, excellent cafés. Spend an easy afternoon.
Skip the big three — Anjuna, Baga, Calangute/Candolim are packed, overbuilt, and not worth your time in December. These are the stretches we'd actually send you to.
Siridao Beach
Not for sunbathing — this one is almost entirely shells and shingle instead of sand. Go for a slow walk and come home with pockets full of beautiful seashells. Quietly magical.
Utorda Beach
Wide, calm, pale sand. Shacks are good but never crowded. A proper South Goa afternoon.
Varca Beach
Long, uncluttered, and lined with coconut groves. One of the cleanest beaches in Goa — go for the quiet and the sunsets.
Betul Beach
A working fishing village beach where the Sal river meets the sea. Watch the boats come in with the morning catch. Barely any tourists.
Palolem Beach
A gentle crescent bay — the postcard-perfect one. Quieter than the north. Perfect for doing absolutely nothing but watching the sun go down.
Morjim Beach
Nicknamed "Little Russia" for its expat crowd. The real draw: olive ridley turtles nest here between November and March — ask locals where the current nesting sites are, and keep your distance.
Arambol Beach
Bohemian, bustling, and still charming. Walk north past the main stretch to find the famous sweet-water lake tucked behind the dunes — one of the quietest spots in Goa to swim.
Everyone goes to Chapora (the Dil Chahta Hai fort), Aguada and Cabo de Rama. These two are better, and far less crowded.
Reis Magos Fort
Beautifully restored 16th-century Portuguese fort perched on the Mandovi river. Houses a small gallery and offers one of the best views across the river to Panaji. Easy half-day combined with Fontainhas across the water.
Tiracol Fort
Goa's northernmost fort, reached by a short ferry crossing from Querim. Now a heritage boutique hotel but open to visitors — walk the ramparts, see the tiny chapel inside, and look across to Maharashtra from the ocean-facing wall. Worth the long drive if you want something no one else is doing.
05 · Eat
Where to eat well
Goan food is its own reason to visit. Don't leave without a proper fish curry-rice thali, and save room for bebinca.
Tilve Bhojanalay
No-frills, homestyle, outstanding value. Famous for Pomfret Rava Fry and an affordable seafood thali.
Cafe Krupa, Ponda
A neighbourhood spot with a devoted following. Their mangalore buns and Goan samosas are outstanding — perfect for a quick, satisfying stop.
Savor Restaurant & Bar
A local favourite for post-temple lunches. Try the Mackerel Rechado Masala or Prawns Curry Rice. Open from 12:30 pm.
A brief guide to Goan cuisine
Veg staples worth seeking out: Mix Bhaji Pao (a hearty mix of mild curries scooped up with soft bread rolls — a classic Goan breakfast), Mangalore Buns (sweet, fluffy banana-batter fried breads, best with chutney or tea), Mushroom Tonak (a dark, deeply spiced coconut-based gravy), and Solkadhi — a pink, cooling kokum-and-coconut-milk drink that doubles as a digestive after a heavy meal.
For the non-vegetarians: Don't miss Rawa Fry Fish coated in semolina and shallow-fried till crisp — ask for chonak (sea bass), prawns, or surmai (kingfish) in particular. Chicken Cafreal is Goa's green-spiced grilled chicken, bright with coriander and chillies. And for a late breakfast or anytime snack, Ros Omelette — a fluffy omelette drowned in a spiced chicken-gravy ros and eaten with pao — is the kind of thing you'll keep thinking about long after you've left.
Save room for the sweets. December in Goa is Christmas country, and bakeries across the state fill up with seasonal treats. Try Bebinca — the queen of Goan desserts, a slow-baked seven-to-sixteen-layer coconut-milk and egg-yolk cake, best eaten slightly warm. Serradura (Portuguese "sawdust pudding") is a cloud-light cream and crushed-biscuit layered dessert. Pasteis de Nata — flaky Portuguese custard tarts — are everywhere, and Goan Plum Cake (rich, dark, rum-soaked, studded with dry fruits) is baked in every home around Christmas. Any neighbourhood bakery will have all of these — ask for whatever came out of the oven that morning.