Goa Magic

These photos tell the story of the ancient caves of Rivona village in Goa. The caves have been carved right into the rock. Overgrown, and picturesque, they have an unmistakable aura of mystery.

Historians think that Buddhist monks may have lived here as far back as the 6th Century CE. Do you see the pitha (pedestal) in the 4th and 6th photos? Perhaps this is where the spiritual teacher sat and instructed pupils.

The caves are also popularly called the Pandava caves. Legend has it that the five Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata visited this cave during their exile.

Photo credits: Sheela Raghu

The happiness of baked goods! How many different Goan breads, patties and biscuits have you tried?

Location: Aldona
Photo credits: Sheela Raghu

The beautiful Mangeshi temple in Goa. The deity here is Shree Mangesh, worshipped in the form of a Shiva Lingam. Mangesh is the kuladevta (clan deity) for many Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, who travel from different parts of India to visit the temple.

Photo credits: Sheela Raghu.

*temple

Traditional bakery in the small town of Aldona, Goa. The poi looks amazing!

Photo credits: The intrepid Sheela Raghu, who is doing a 2 month road trip through Goa and Maharashtra.🚗

In 1517, eight Franciscan friars landed in Goa and established The Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi. Of course, it was not as grand as it is today. Initially there was just a small chapel. It was more than a century later, after the Portuguese consolidated their power over the area, that a grand church was built in 1661.
Come on our Old Goa Heritage Walk to hear stories of the old Goa settlement, and how it grew.



Photo credit: Vinayaraj, Wikimedia

Beautiful Goan countryside. Now that the monsoons have arrived, the land will be prepared for rice planting.

The monsoon months are a lean time for the fishing community. Traditionally the fisherfolk have a self-imposed ban on fishing in the monsoons; they stop when the rains make the waters too dangerous and rough, and they commence fishing again on Narli Purnima after offering prayers and a coconut (this year Narli Purnima falls on Aug 30). But there is also an official government ban in place, primarily for fish stocks to recover. June to September is the spawning season for many species. Also, the ban helps fish to grow bigger, thus realising higher value when the fish eventually come to market.




Photo by Ishay Botbol on pexels, fish market at Bandoli in Goa

Beach seller. It's a tough life.
Image by Mirko Sajkov on Pixabay

Mangueshi Temple, Ponda, Goa - a Shiva temple dating to 1560. It was built and rebuilt several times, with mixed architectural elements from Indian and western traditions.

Bring out the bubbly! India has revised guidelines for international arrivals with effect from Monday, February 14. The government has removed the category of 'at risk' countries. It has removed the 7- day quarantine as well.
To visit India, you need to either be fully vaccinated, or provide an RTPCR negative report tested 72hrs prior to arrival. Please go through the official announcement to understand the current requirements fully. Or write to us.
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