Goa has been the focal point from where the
Portuguese expanded their control on the trading world during the period
following the discovery of the route to India by Vasco
da Gama.
Before Vasco da Gama, Goa had emerged under the Kadamba dynasty
around the 10th century, and was primarily concentrated around the
head of the Zuari river prospering as a result of sea trade with the Arabs.
In 1347, Goa came under the Bahamani rule By 1378,
it was taken by the kingdom of Vijaynagar. Bahamanis retook it in 1470
but were overtaken by the kingdom of Bijapur who under Adil Shah
established a thriving port further north at the head of the Mandovi river.
Portuguese Rule
Vasco da Gama landed in Calicut in 1498 on the west cost of
India, After Constantinople, the capital of the Old Byzantine Empire fell
in 1452 to the Turks they blocked the Bosphorus straits route to the
Europeans. The Portuguese had already explored the west coast of Africa,
and were anxious to find a route to India, and have direct trade links with it
to further the spice trade which was controlled by the Arab merchants.
They discovered a natural harbor in Goa. In 1510, the Portuguese obtained
permission from the Court of Akbar to establish a trading post on the west coast
and under Afonso Albuquerque landed in Goa, By 1543, the Portuguese were
able to extend their control over Bardez, Salcette, and Marmagoa By
the end of the 6th century, Goa had already reached its zenith and was referred
to as "Golden Goa".
NORTH GOA
Shree Shantadurga Temple, Pernem Goa
This temple is located at Dhargal, about 14 kms from Mapusa
It is dedicated to Shree Shantadurga, and is one of the few temples in Bardez
that survived the Portuguese 'Inquisition' - which was a political tool,
just as Washington's investigations and 'trials' of the Al Qaeda or the
Nuremberg trials.
The main festival of "Zatra" falls in December and draws huge
crowds.
ARAMBOL BEACH
Arambol - a beach on the North Western corner of Goa, can be
approached by a road which winds through cashew groves. It is an uninterrupted
and stunning stretch of undulating sand.
The people are friendly and one can learn about the local life and
culture. It is a tourist spot The relaxed atmosphere and
tranquility attracts many.
MAPUSA
Mapusa’s main attraction is its Friday Market where
people from all over Goa come.
It has grown at the junction of roads leading to other parts of Goa and
linking the city of Panjim. Closeness to Rio de Mapusa, (the
Mapusa River, which in ancient times was a much used waterway for transport of
agricultural products and spices) had enabled Mapusa to develop a
commercial reputation.
Mapusa lies 13 kms from Panjim, now called Panaji, and has a blend of
residential and commercial buildings and gardens. The beaches nearest to this
town are the Anjuna and Chapora. The Kansarpal-Kalbadevi temple,
is 14 km from Mapusa.
SALIGAO
Saligao, lies a short distance to the south of Mapusa. A small and
picturesque town with well maintained old Portuguese villas, swaying coconut
palms and lush green paddy fields. The 125 years old, parish church of Mae de
Deus. with its Gothic architecture is unique as most churches and chapels of
Goa are in the Portuguese style.
Saligao is surrounded by places like Parra, Guirim, Sangolda, Pilerne,
Candolim, Calangute and Nagoa. Just 3 kms away is the famous Calangute Beach
Saligao is an amazing sight, with its narrow path-ways and lanes. This town
cradles the ancestral homes of many distinguished men and women who have
made this place famous.
For the Catholic community activities are centered around the Church of Mae
de Deus and the Saligao Institute (founded in 1929). The first
English medium schools in Goa probably started here with the founding of the St
Mary's Boys School in 1900 and later the Mater Dei Institution in
1909. The St Mary's Girls School, was the first boarding school for girls
in Goa, and is today known as the Lourdes Convent.
BICHOLIM
This is the district headquarters of BIcholim taluka. It is the educational
and cultural center of north Goa east of Mapusa.
PANAJI - The Capital City.
Panaji is the capital of Goa and headquarters of North Goa District,
on the left bank of Mandovi river, with red-roofed houses, built in Latin
style, as well as many modern houses, gardens, commemorative statues and avenues
lined with flowering trees.
Panaji the capital of Goa is called by other names in Konkani. It is
pronounced as Ponnji, Ponnje, or Ponjhe. The Portuguese name was
Pangim. Many mostly English-speaking people still use the name Panjim.
In 1843 the Portuguese developed Panjim and named it Nova Goa
(Portuguese for New Goa) when it officially replaced the city of Goa (now Old
Goa) as the administrative seat of Portuguese India, though the viceroy had
already moved there in 1759. Earlier it was small village on the
riverfront.
Incorporated into India in December 1961, Panaji became a state capital
on Goa's elevation to statehood in May 1987. Between 1961 and 1987, it
was the capital of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. A new
Legislative Assembly complex was inaugurated in March 2000, across the Mandovi
river, in the suburb of Porvorim. Goa's state secretariat, the seat of
the bureaucracy, is also to shift to Porvorim. Panaji is also the administrative
headquarters of North Goa District.
The heart of the city is the Church Square or Municipal Garden with
the Portuguese Baroque Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church,
originally built in 1541. Other tourist attractions include the Adilshahi Palace
dating back to the 16th century, the Menezes Braganza Institute and the
central library, the Hindu Mahalaxmi Temple, the Jama Masjid mosque, the Chapel
of St. Sebastian and the Fontainhas area in general which is considered to be
the Old Latin Quarter, as well as the nearby beach Miramar. Tourists find
the 18th June Road a destination for shopping, particularly during the
evenings. The Carnival celebrations in February include a colorful parade
on the streets.
OLD GOA
This ancient historical town and former capital of Goa is located about
9 km east of Panaji. It is a world heritage site now and its fame comes
from its buildings and churches built in the days when it was known as
"Golden Goa". It was abandoned by the Portuguese officially in 1843
when the capital was moved to Panjim or Panaji.
Today, most of the old buildings are maintained by the archeological survey of
India and the Archdiocese of Goa. It is a holy site for all Catholics
particularly Goan Catholics because it is the site where the Sacred relics of St
Francis Xavierare preserved for posterity from the time of his death
around 1582..
Ela (Ilhas or Ilyas), used to be the capital of Goa under Adil Shah. He wanted
to shift his capital from Bijapur to Ela, but the arrival of the Portuguese
changed all that. Under the Portuguese it not only became the Capital of Goa but
also became famous as the "Lisbon of the East". At one
time its population was estimated to be around 200,000. The place declined in
influence with the fortunes of the Portuguese trade which was being over-taken
by the British and the Dutch. Repeated attacks of cholera and malaria
frustrated the Portuguese and the Viceroy moved out of the city in 1695 to
Panelim and finally to Panjim in 1759. The capital was also moved to Panaji
officially in 1843. With the departure of the Viceroy and the temporary
suppression Jesuits, the population fell drastically. Over the next 100 years,
the buildings were allowed to fall into disrepair
A description of its churches and buildings is provided in the links below
along with a short biography of St Francis Xavier, Goencho Saib.
Se Cathedral, Old Goa
Church of St Francis of Assisi, Old Goa
Chapel of St. Catherine, Old Goa
Ruins of the Church of St Augustine, Old Goa
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa
Church of Convent of St. Monica, Old Goa
Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Old Goa
Church of St. Cajetan, Old Goa
Chapel of St. Anthony, Old Goa
Church of Our Lady of the Mount, Old Goa
50 kms., from Panaji and 38 kms. from Margao. It is one of the
three wildlife sanctuaries of Goa. More than a sanctuary it is an ideal jungle
resort, a major attraction for school going children and nature lovers.
Its mini zoos, sprawling deer park in natural habitat, botanical and rose
gardens attract people through the year. Comfortable cottages are available here
for tourists. The Zoological Park and garden at Bondla remain closed on
Thursdays.
Pilar Monastery,
Venerable
Fr. Agnelo - this saintly priest has put this town on the map, and is
the spiritual center of Goa.
An important religious and educational center of Christian missionaries is
located in Pilar. The church, seminary and school atop a hillock command a
magnificent panoramic view of the countryside, with a fine view of Margao
Harbor and Zuari River.
Most of Goa’s larger towns are situated in the coastal belt where the
Portuguese first settled, and their character was formed slowly through the
centuries of Christian rule.
The Rachol Seminary
About 3 Km. from Margao, is the small village of Raia, which is on the road
from Margao to the Borim Bridge, Close by is the Rachol Seminary and
Church. The old church dates from the early 1600's and the seminary has
interesting architecture, and interesting paintings of Christian themes
done in Indian styles. This is not a tourist site so you must ask about looking
around.
This seminary has a checkered past. Originally a Muslim fortress it was
first converted by the Portuguese into a church and later into a prison. In the
late 16th century, it acquired respectability as a seminary for Theological
Studies, with the Jesuits re-christening it from College of All Saints to the College
of St. Ignatius Loyala, the name of their Founder
Margao and Vasco
Margao, is the second largest city in Goa and the principal commercial
center. There are some interesting places around Margao.
A few other towns are sprinkled around the territory: Vasco da Gama is
slowly developing into an industrial center: Marmagoa, Goa’s port, is
one of India’s finest natural harbors. It is situated (4 Km
from Vasco-da-Gama) is one of the finest natural anchorages on the West coast of
India and the hub of intense maritime activity.
Other Places Of Interest in Goa
Kesarval Spring - The spring emerges from hard and compact rocks and people
bathe in its water with strong belief that it has medicinal properties.
Mayem Lake - surrounded amidst rolling green hills is an ideal picnic spot. Good
accommodation facilities are available in Cottages. Boating is available in the
lake.
Dudhsagar Water Falls
One of Goa's most stunning natural sights is the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, said to
be India’s highest. This 2000-foot torrent of water is hidden deep in the 90
square miles of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary on the edge of Western Ghats
close to the Karnataka border. A popular destination to hikers and trekkers.
SOUTH GOA
The Portuguese called it Salcette, which means Suburbs. Much of
the farming takes place in this territory. It is also studded with
venerable Hindu temples, as the map shows. Agnoda beach
is one of the unsullied beaches in Goa.
Mangaloreans should have a particular interest in Goa, as many of
their ancestors were from Goa, who had migrated to trade-centers in South
Kanara, to work in the Portuguese trade posts. As this
happened 450 years ago, modern day Mangaloreans have not kept themselves
informed. If one goes to see closely, one finds so many similarities
in the way houses in Mangalore and its neighboring talukas have been built, very
much on the pattern of Goan houses. The food tastes, and the music
is very similar. Even the language bears a stamp of Goa, but differs
from it in script and absorption of a lot of Tulu and Kannada words in the
language South Kanara is just an extension of Goa and Mangaloreans
should look with pride at their ancestral land and find more about their roots.
I have had always a difficulty to locate the places my friends used to refer
to. I had a very good friend Alvaro Rodrigues back in 1960 who said, he
hailed from Ilyas. Now I have studied the place and know where it
is. Hope when you visit Goa, you too will be familiar with the topography
of this wonderful spot on the Indian sub-continent, which has given rise to all
these wonderful recipes you see on this website.
Some of my articles are also posted on the Goan Forum web-site: www.colaco.net
under TGF Writers Sketchpad. I have my own dedicated Homepage there under
Tony Fernandes
