Aguada Fort Goa Popular Wedding Destination India
Aguada Fort is the most famous and most visited fort of Goa. Often tourists who holiday in Goa for a short duration feel the visit to Goa is complete with a trip to this Aguada Fort.
Several Bollywood movies have been shot in this beautiful location and that has increased the popularity of this fort. Though it was the Chapora Fort where where the movie “Dil Chahta Hai” was shot, tourists sit on the fort walls just as Aamir Khan and his friends sat for the movie in that fort.
4 storey lighthouse of Aguada Fort of 1864; oldest of its kind in Asia.
Locals posing with foreign tourists in Aguada
There is no end to photo sessions in Aguada Fort walls. If you have the patience you will be amused by the antics some of the tourists do there.
After the release of the movie, Aguada Fort became the most popular fort of India.
History of Aguada Fort Goa
It was constructed in 1612 and had served as a good defense for the Portuguese rulers against Dutch and Marathas for 450 long years.
Pages in history of Goa proudly mention the fact that Aguada Fort was the only fort that couldn’t be conquered by Portuguese rulers during their 450 years of rule in Goa.
The walls are 5m high and 1.3m wide. 200 cannons once protected this fort; none are there now, probably housed in some museum. The fort consists of lower fort with bastions all around and an upper fort. It rises from the seashore to the summit of the bare rocky hill called Aguada Point.
Upper Fort served as vantage point and watering station for all incoming ships.
The deep moat that went around this fort is dry and seemed uncared. Within the walls of the fort is a huge well fed by fresh water springs. And this provided fresh drinking water to the voyagers that arrived by ship.
At a distance you can see 13 meter high lighthouse. This lighthouse, built in 1864, initially used an oil lamp. It was later renovated and modernized, but in 1976 the authorities there abandoned its use.
In the middle of the courtyard of this fort (in red paint) is an enormous vaulted cistern capable of storing ten million liters of fresh water.
Cistern capable of storing ten million liters of fresh water in Aguada Fort.
Time for peekaboo with my younger daughter in the ruins of the Aguada Fort.
Taj Fort Aguada resort and Spa
A part of this historic fort is taken over by Taj Group of Hotels and it is converted in to luxury hotel. That explains why you get to see several newly weds honeymooning here and also in wedding attire for wedding photo shoots.
Aguada Fort Wedding Destination
Those who fancy a destination wedding can surely consider Goa. This state with its innumerable romantic locations ranks high in the list of wedding destinations in India.
I keep looking out for some interesting scenes to share with you all. And here is one: A newly married couple posing for their wedding photographer. While I have known posh hotels like Alila Diwa in Goa and the beaches around where weddings take place, I least expected a newly married couple in Aguada Fort.
This couple came for a photo shoot after their wedding to Aguada Fort. I am not sure if I intruded into their privacy but I couldn’t resist taking a picture while their wedding photographer set up the place and mood.
Aguada Fort Goa Wedding Destination
Location and How to Reach Aguada Fort
This medieval fort of 1612 is located on Sinquerim Beach at the mouth of Mandovi River. Aguada Fort forms the entire peninsula at south-western tip of Bardez region in North Goa.
Several state transport buses ply from Panjim.
Candolim to Aguada Fort – 5km
Baga Beach to Fort Aguada – 11km.
Timings and Tickets
Aguada Fort is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm. No tickets are required to enter the fort. It is a free sight to see in Goa.
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I chuckled at the "although it was Chapora Fort… no end to photo sessions here". So true… and guilty as stated! The first time I visited Goa after that movie, my friends and I rushed to this fort and indulged in quite the same antics (I blame my youthful stupidity for that, I do), only to find out later that it wasn't even the same place. Great post and pictures, especially the last one of that couple. Now you don't see that half as often as Dil Chahta Hai poses in Aguada!
beautiful and breathtaking … and I agree with Najm Nisa… last pic was awesome … so much love in their eyes <3
I have seen most of these in bollywood songs 😀 But just LOVE the last picture ! the couple look so in LOVE !
Very nice :-).
lovely photos dear….wanna go someday…:)
Wonderful images… loved the post!
Beautiful captures… 🙂
I thought that Dil Chahta Hai was shot here but then I could easily be wrong! Lovely pictures as always.
Great pictures. I think this fort also shown in Rang de Basanti as well.
Now that is something I missed during my visits to Goa. Next time, maybe.
We found ourself a wall in ruins in Gopalswamy betta, only that there were rolling hills on the other side.
Thank you for this post, Indrani. 🙂
workable information with great series of pics
There is an air of mystique around these forts.
Lovely pics Indrani!
Lovely place to be !
i love this place and it is nice to see these pictures 🙂
beautiful fort,look well maintained.
The huge cistern is really amazing. Loved all the pics.
Loved the peeping tom shot and the last one was toooooo good.
Okay, it's the same fort that was shown in Dil Chahata hai…where the three friends sit and chill…well, thanks for this info!
Lovely photos! Particularly that of the couple….
What a lovely series of shots.
Beautiful lighthouses! Lovely capture of the newlyweds.
Beautiful captures 🙂
wow that is one amazing fort.
I'm sure the fort is amazing just like the other forts in India; but I'm always entertained by fellow visitors and their photoshoots. Hence I take photos of them taking selfies or phtoographing each other.
Worth a Thousand Words
What an interesting place indeed and your captures are great as always! Love you young one peeping out and the newly married couple! Delightful, interesting post for the day as always, Indrani!!
Great shots of the interesting fort.
wow, that cistern is huge!