Fort Naroa

Situated in the Island of Divar, which is opposite the old city of Goa, in the Ilhas, was originally build by the Muslims. It was abandoned in 1834 and is now in ruins. The island of Divar, the ancient Dipavati, is one league in length and a quarter of a league in breadth. Celebrated in ancient tradition for its sanctity, it was the site of a tirtha and of a Hindu temple, which existed up to the time of Portuguese conquest.

The Island subsequently became home to the residence of many of the noble families of Goa. Besides three parochial churches, it possesses a chapel containing two images of Christ held in great veneration by the Catholics of the place. The ruins of the fort are discernible on the northern part of the Island, called Naroa. Opposite the fort ruins, on the bank of a tributary of the river Mandovi, lies the modern "Tirtha" , which attracts thousands of Hindu pilgrims annually who come here to bathe and worship.Â