Benaulim Beach, Benaulim, Goa.

A long stretch of largely empty sand, peppered with a few beach shacks and water-sports enthusiasts, the beaches of Benaulim and nearby Sernabatim are much quieter than Colva, partly because the village is a good kilometre back from the beach and linked by several laneways.

Out of season it has a somewhat desolate feel, but the lack of traffic or any serious beachfront development is an obvious attraction to many travellers, some of whom rent houses in the village and stay for the season.

Benaulim also has a special place in Goan tradition: legend has it that it was here that the god Parasurama’s arrow landed when he fired it into the sea to create Goa. Modern-day archers, however, might choose a prettier spot.

The magnificent ruins of the ancient temple of Katyayani Baneshwar can be found near the vicinity of the village overlooking the vast blue sea. The temple was dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. The deities from this temple were shifted to Aversa in present day Uttara Kannada in the 16th century, after the Portuguese invasion of the region.