Divar Island

Divar Island is an unexplored paradise in Goa. A small island on the Mandovi River, it is a world apart from the touristy areas of Goa, the busy beaches, water sports, and nightclubs. Divar is serene and laid-back, just like what Goa used to be before the arrival of tourism. The island remains serene and peaceful even during the peak tourist season. Divar is a green haven where you will see many palms, swaying tall trees, a mangrove swamp with many crocodiles and birds, old catholic churches, temples, vintage Portuguese-style houses, and evergreen paddy fields.

Divar Island is in North Goa, on the opposite bank of Velha or Old Goa. You can reach the island from Panaji in less than an hour. However, you cannot reach the place in your car or bike. Take a left turn from the V2 Shopping Mall to reach the ferry terminal. The river crossing will only take a few minutes. There is a second ferry terminal from Old Goa as well.

The island has four scenic villages – Naroa, Piedade, Goltim, and Sao Mathias or Malar. You will see many traditional homes and some large estates that remain locked up almost throughout the year. There are also a few restaurants, bars, and cafes. You can even stay on the island if you want. There are a couple of star-category hotels and a few budget bungalows.

Where Is Divar Island?

Divar Island Map

Divar Island is on the Mandovi River in North Goa. It is between two bigger islands – Chorao and Tiswaddi. There are 4 smaller islands as well – Vanxim, Tolto, Accado, and Jua or St. Estevam. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, where you can see many species of birds and other animals, is at the edge of Divar. The island’s mangrove swamp is in fact, an extension of the sanctuary. Old Goa is on the other side, just across the river.

You cannot reach Divar by road, so you have to take a ferry to reach the island. There are regular ferry services throughout the day from several places. The Konkan Railway passes through Divar, but there is no station here.

• There are 4 villages in Divar – Naroa, Piedade, Goltim, Malar
• Piedade is the biggest settlement
• Mangrove swamps and agriculture fields
• Lush greenery everywhere
• No motorable road to reach the island. Konkan Railway passes through the island, but there is no station.
• Regular ferry services from many places.

Divar is 3 kilometers in width and 5.80 kilometers in length. The island gets its name from the word ‘Dipavati’, which in Konkani language means ‘small island’. Others believe the island’s name comes from Konkani words ‘dev’ and ‘vaddi’, which means ‘place of the Gods’.

History

The island’s name comes from ‘Divaade’ or ‘Dipavati’, which in the local Konkani language means ‘Small Island’. Originally, it used to be an uninhabited island full of forests. The first people who moved here were from Old Goa, which is on the opposite bank of the Mandovi River. At its peak, 200,000 people used to stay at Velha or Old Goa, making it larger than both London and Lisbon.

However, a devastating malaria, cholera and plague killed many people, which is why many chose to relocate to Divar. Most residents here are now of Luso and Konkani descent.

The island was also once a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. It had several temples of Mahamaya, Ganesh, Saptakoteshwar, and Dwarkeshwar. During Goa’s Christianization in the 16th century, Divar was the first place where the Portuguese missionaries arrived and converted many of the locals. Some temples were also destroyed during the religious persecution of 1540. Many Hindus had to flee with their idols. Naroa, which is only a village now, used to be a small town in the 12th century.

What To See At Divar Island

1. Saint Mathias Church – Named after Mathias, the apostle of Jesus. Dom Mathias de Albuquerque erected this small church between 1591 and 1597 when he was the Governor of Goa. There are 8 altars. See its beautiful blue and white façade, and the architecture. There is a small ground beside the church where you can relax.
   Location — Malar village
2. Our Lady of Piety Church – Also known as Our Lady of Compassion. Built in the 1700s at the site of an ancient Hindu temple destroyed by Muslim rulers during the 15th century. This is the first Christian church in Divar. Beautiful white façade. The original church bell, made of glass, used to break glasses when it rang, so it was replaced. You will get a panoramic view of the island from here.
   Location — Piedade
3. Kadamba Dynasty Ruins – See the tombs of Kadamba dynasty rulers beside the Piety church of Piedade. The cemetery has a small chapel, where there was an ancient Ganesha temple once. The deity was relocated after the Portuguese destroyed this temple.
4. Saptkoteshwar Temple – Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Saptkoteshwar, the family God of the Kadamba dynasty rulers. Constructed in the 12th century beside a tank. This was once a very popular religious site, but destroyed by the Muslims in the 14th century. Reconstructed later. But the deity was moved during Portuguese inquisition.
   Location – Naroa
5. Sao Matia – The Sao Matia village is now called Malar. It is a beautiful settlement stuck in time. A road passes through the middle with tall trees and plenty of greenery everywhere. The Portuguese began their mass conversions here. See the 400 years old Sao Mathias Church.

Festivals At Divar Island

Two popular festivals are held every year at the island –

1. Bonderam – Carnival on the 4^th Saturday of August. The villagers bring out floats. There is a colorful parade.
2. Potekar – This festival is almost like Halloween. It is held 3 days before Lent. The locals go from house to house wearing bells and handmade masks.

How To Reach Divar Island

The only way to reach the island is by a ferry service that is run by the government. There are 4 ferry terminals at Piedade, Navelim, Naroa, and Amboi.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Chorão Island, next to Divar, has one of India's best known bird sanctuaries. It is named after Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali, a famous Indian ornithologist and naturalist. He was sometimes called ‘the birdman of India’. Ali was the first to conduct bird surveys in the country and according to some reports, could even understand their language.

You can see many species in this 440 acres sanctuary, including western reef herons, striated heron, black bittern, little bittern, red knot, pied avocet, and many migratory birds like the pintail ducks. You may also see many fiddler crabs, mudskippers, and other habitants of the mangrove.

There are paved walkways through the sanctuary. You can also go on a guided canoe trip through the mangroves.

Top 7 Reasons For Visiting Divar Island

1. To enjoy the lush greenery and nature
2. See rural Goa, beautiful old colonial homes
3. Visit the churches and temples
4. Kayaking through the marshy waters
5. Fishing, crab catching
6. Visit the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
7. To visit Old Goa, which is just across the river