Cabo De Rama Fort

The fort gets its name from an ancient mythological legend associated with it, which states that Lord Rama, from the famous Hindu epic Ramayana, spent a part of his exile in this fort, along with his wife, Sita. Research however hints at a history that dates back only till the 18th century. The fort was built by the Hindu warriors in 1763, and has since changed hands between Hindus, Muslims and the Portuguese amidst innumerable battles and fights for dominion. This makes it one of the oldest forts in Goa, built even before the arrival of the Portuguese colonists. The remnants of the Portuguese renovations can still be seen in the rusty cannons, turrets, military barracks and a white chapel dedicated to St. Antonio. Unlike the crumbling fort walls, the chapel is in great condition and is still in use by the local devotees. The white chapel against a backdrop of the black fort creates a very bold and striking picture. After the Portuguese left, the fort was more or less abandoned, until post Indian independence, after which it was used as a Government prison. Even that status changed in 1955 followed by another spell of overlooked abandonment. Today, the fort is open to tourists, but is unusually deserted more or less. The roads leading to this fort are lined with lush forest and rocky terrains with sudden glimpses of the sea. This is one of those destinations, where the journey itself is half the fun. In case you get lost, villagers from the nearby village will be happy to guide you back to the right direction. The fort might be in a state of absolute disrepair, but once you make it to the top, the view of the turquoise waters and the mountain ranges from the fort cliff is simply breathtaking. The more adventurous ones can climb down from a side of the fort wall to reach the rocky beach below, for some great shots.