Essentially Goa

During monsoons, nightlife events and watersports activities are less. However, the rains make Goa more magical. There is a lot more greenery and the air feels fresher. People can visit local restaurants to enjoy hot samosas and kappas with tea while listening to the sound of the rain hitting the earth. Those who are adventurous can go for whitewater rafting or trekking. The monsoons are a great time to visit majestic waterfalls like Dudhsagar, Netravali, Amboli, Kesarval spring, Tambdi Surla, and Harvalem waterfall. For the people who are disappointed with the lack of watersport activities, there is no need to worry. You can try out flyboarding, catamaran sailing, kayaking, speed boating, banana rides, etc.  One can also explore the quieter places of Goa. One of them is Fontainhas – a Latin quarter which has heritage Portuguese houses, narrow streets, and colourful architecture. Other than this place there are many tranquil islands to visit that are full of natural beauty and cultural treats. Some of them are Divar Island, Chorao Island, San Jacinto Island, Butterfly Island, and Conco Island. In some of these places, you can rent a bicycle and tour these beautiful places. If you want to stay indoors and […]

It’s no secret that Goa is one of the top destinations for couples. Whether you want to experience a dreamy romantic trip, have an exciting vacation with your significant other, or find a place to propose – Goa has it all. The way to his/ her heart… This beautiful state offers quiet dinners with dim lighting, meals with a sunset view, or lunches with live music. In North Goa, some good options are Old Bombay, Black Sheep Bistro, Awadh House, Sea, Sublime, Angry Sardar Courtyard, Base, La Plage, Indian curry house, House of Lloyds, etc. If you’re in South Goa, feast at places like Riverside, Soul Souffle, The Fisherman’s Wharf, and The Garden. If you want a unique eating experience, dine in the dark at Alila Diwa or go for sky dining in Anjuna.   Spoil yourselves Tired from touring? Have a relaxing day at a spa. Cheron spa, Sereno Spa, Zaara Spa, Jiva Spa, Spa by Clarins, and Quan spa are good options. Some spas offer experiences for couples.   Romantic beach walks and sunsets The quieter, less crowded beaches are mostly in South Goa. Some of these are Galgibag beach, Butterfly beach, Kakolem beach, Bogmalo Beach, and more. […]

We have all heard about the famous Goan fish thalis, prawn curries, sorpotel, chicken cafreal, and vindaloo. Now it’s time to celebrate the sweets of Goa. The people of Goa still make traditional sweets from recipes passed down from generation to generation. Here are some of the famous traditional sweets of Goa: Bebinca This is a type of layered pudding. The ingredients which usually go into it are all-purpose flour, eggs, sugar, coconut milk, nutmeg, and ghee.  It takes time to prepare this lovely dessert as each layer has to be baked first before adding the next one. Bebinca usually has 7 to 16 layers. In many places, it is served with vanilla ice-cream. You can eat all the layers at once or peel one layer at a time and savour each one. Dodol Dodol is made using coarsely ground raw paddy rice flour, black jaggery, coconut milk, and cashew nuts. The coconut is ground and the juice/ milk is extracted. It is traditionally cooked on firewood.  The end result is a pudding-like sweet which almost melts in your mouth. It is mostly made for Christmas. Sugar isn’t used and so dodol gets its taste from the delicious Goa jaggery. Its […]

One of the most calming experiences is to just sit and watch the sunset as the sky changes colors from blue to yellow to a dark hue. Sunsets are ageless and are calming in an inexplicable way. NT GoGoaNow suggests 5 places with the perfect picturesque sunset view you should try and visit during your stay. Vagator Beach Vagator beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. The beach is filled with rocks and two mighty hills surrounding it with a view of the Chapora Fort standing on the hill. It’s one of the few beaches in Goa with rocks thus making it a picture-worthy place. It also makes the perfect place to go for an evening walk or just sitting away lost in thought. Fort Aguada Lighthouse: A small walk away from Fort Aguada is the Lighthouse. The lighthouse has been a guiding light for many ships through the years and is also overlooking the Arabian sea. However, there’s more for the wanderer to explore; Take a little walk further and you’ll reach the end of the hilltop. The place an open pasture area and you can take a view of the beaches below. Few visitors come […]

Goa is a beautiful state where great memories are created. It is natural to want a keepsake or edible souvenir for yourself or gift it to someone else. Here is a list of some things that can be great gifts. However, make sure that these items are allowed to be carried into your respective countries.  Vinegar Coconut vinegar is used in classic Goan dishes like sorpotel, vindaloo, cafreal, etc. Some Goans make their own vinegar at home. One can get bottles of vinegar at supermarkets and local markets. Mario Miranda’s works Mario Miranda had been an iconic Goan cartoonist and his works are available for sale till today. A person can get his cartoons printed on different items like lamps, mobile cases, cushion covers, mugs, medicine organizers, limited edition prints, mint boxes, bags and much more. The price starts at approximately Rs.125 for items like key chains. New products are constantly introduced like wristbands and others. The galleries are located in Panjim, Porvorim, and Calangute. Fruit wines Some families in South Goa make fruit/ vegetable wines at home from various ingredients like amla, jambul, mango, cashew, ginger, pomegranate, apple, pineapple, coconut, beetroot, etc. It isn’t easily available in shops. However, you can […]

Old Goa is a small town in the North Goa district. Portugal-styled churches are famous for their architecture and impeccable history behind them. Old Goa, best known for its churches, is the perfect place to be for the traveller who wants to drown himself in the beautiful Portugal architecture of Goa. NT GoGoaNow gives you a sneak peek into some places you should visit when in Old Goa! …. …. …. Basilica of Bom Jesus As you enter Old Goa, you’re definitely going to see the monumental Basilica of Bom Jesus. The church was consecrated in May 1605 by Fr. Alexia de Menezes, the Archbishop of Goa. The church is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture in Goa. The church is well known as it embodies the relics of St. Francis Xavier, who lays to rest in a silver casket within the church. The relics are taken down every 10 years for an exposition which calls forth millions of devotees. The architectural monument comes under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. …. Se Cathedral  The Sé Cathedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, in short, is known to be the largest church in Asia. The majestic church stands strong before […]

Kokum is one of the star ingredients in Goa after coconuts. It has a distinctive sour flavour with a hint of sweet and is used in many dishes of this beautiful state. It is available in markets fresh or sundried. Goans love sipping from a glass filled with cold kokum juice or using kokum to add a sour note to their food. It can be used in pickles and gravies. The local markets of Goa will have fresh Kokum during the summer. If you’re not here for the summer, you can always go for dried kokum.   Health benefits –         Can boost intestine health –         Decreases appetite and can help in weight loss –         Decreases inflammation –         Has cooling properties –         Boosts heart health –         Good for digestion –         And more…   Dishes that use Kokum:- Sol Kadhi This tangy drink is popular in Goa. It is usually drunk during lunch/dinner or mixed with rice. Ingredients:  10 dried Kokum 1 cup grated coconut 1½ cloves garlic 1½ green chilli (chopped) ¼ inch ginger piece (chopped) Salt to taste Coriander leaves   Method: Put Kokum in warm water and keep aside for 30-40 minutes. Then squeeze the kokum juice out. Discard the pulp. Blend the coconut, ginger, garlic, […]

Want to experience the nightlife as well as the serene beaches during a tight vacation? Baga is the place to be! Baga is indeed one of the most serene yet commercialized places in Goa. Baga, a small village, along the coast of Goa is nothing but beautiful for the traveler who is on a time limit. Baga creek Baga creek is the perfect place for you to sit and watch the sunset. Right next to Baga beach lays the creek and it has one of the most beautiful views. The picture perfect place makes it a get-away to few locals who come fishing daily and also a view of the ever buzzing Baga beach. The creek is surrounded by beautiful rocks with the waves clashing against it. Saturday night market Another place to visit whilst in Baga is the Saturday Nite Market. As the name specifies, the market is open during the nights. The vast number of stalls sell clothes, jewelry and other kinds of artistic pieces. They also have food stalls that’ll help curb that mid-night hunger! They also have an open stage which gives upcoming talent showcase their work. Baga tibetian market Baga Tibetian Market is another flea […]

Lush green trees and the pristine Mandovi River flowing are notably one of the few things one will see cruising through the beautiful City of Panjim. Panjim being the capital city of Goa calls many visitors. Cruising through Panjim will definitely take a travel thirsty wanderer back in time to the Portuguese era. Fontainhas Fontainhas is famously known to be the Latin quarters of Goa has proven to be a very photo-worthy location for many. The feature of this place is Portugal infused architecture. Walking through the lanes of Fontainhas you’ll notice walls painted in hues of blue, yellow and strip white and that’s only the tip of the beautiful architecture. Walking through the lanes it’s definite to find many cafes and art galleries. Dive deeper into the architecture as you walk into the art galleries. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception One of the most famously known Churches in Goa is the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church. The church stands tall in the center of Panjim and receives hundreds of visitors on a daily basis. The church’s white color instantly grabs the eye.  Another feature of this church is its zigzag stairs that lead to the church. The church […]

Kamlakar Naik is a kind-hearted man who is an Indian classical music vocalist. His style is Khayal singing and belongs to the Agra style of music. He has performed in many places and music conferences like Surashri Kesarbai Kerkar Smriti Sangeet Samaroh, Sawai Gandharv, and Sangeet Samorah.  Naik says that nowadays in Goa, people lean more towards light classical music or Western & Indian classical music fusions.  He says: “I’m not interested in music fusions. I concentrate on pure classical music which I received from my gurus.” Some of his gurus were Ratnakantji Ramnathkar, Pt. V.R Athavaleji, and Jitendra Abhishekiji. He’s been involved in classical music for approximately 50 years. Kamlakar feels that Indian classical music has definitely changed in Goa and India over the years as each artist has his own imagination and capacity and makes his contribution to the classical music industry which changes the music. “I enjoy performing. I am totally involved in the performance. I always think that every performance is an examination for me,” Naik enthusiastically states. He continues,“ One must also learn the theory of music apart from practical. There are theoretical rules for presenting melodies. One melody can be performed even for 60 minutes […]

Tinkesh Kaushik from Carmona has proved the power of mind and will by achieving the feat of becoming the world’s first triple amputee from India to reach the Everest Base Camp, Nepal

The ‘Ordem Terceira’ also known as the ‘Santachem Pursanv’ or the Penitential Procession of Saints was observed on the fifth Monday of Lent, on March 19 at Saint Andrew Church in Goa Velha. Thousands of people from all walks of faith thronged the church to be a part of this celebration and seek blessings through the intercession of the saints by passing under the charols and also ask for penance for their sins. The procession of 31 life-size statues that are centuries old were led by the Tau Cross – Coat of Arms, the insignia of the Franciscan order and was followed by other 30 charols shouldered by the confraria members of the Church. The main celebrant of the Eucharistic service was parish priest of St Andrew Church, Fr Emidio Pinto in the presence of assistant parish priest, Fr Socorro Colaco, Fr Ubaldo Fernandes, Fr Benjamin Victoria, Fr Augusto Dias, Fr Salvador Rodrigues, Fr Salvador Fernandes and Fr Pedro D’Costa. In the homily during the mass Fr Emidio spoke on the theme, ‘Santa bhokta baxen mogan jieun jezuchea utrak zaiti follam diunk ani tachem utor dusreank shikounk dev amkam apoita’ (God calls us to live and spread his word like […]

With a deep understanding of agriculture and a desire to bring locally grown marigold flowers to the Goan community, Amona-based farmer Krishna Sinari has embarked on the high-tech venture of marigold farming. RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT  Inspired by the need for locally grown marigold flowers, Krishna Sinari, the owner of Prakriti Farm Products, has started a high-tech venture of marigold farming in a 3,000-square-meter plot. With a total of 5,000 plants, his farm boasts vibrant yellow and orange marigold flowers. The inspiration behind choosing marigold flowers as the primary crop stems, he says, is that even though Goa has a suitable environment for its growth, a majority of the flowers are brought in from other places. “Marigolds are essential for Diwali celebrations. So I chose to start my own marigold production to meet the local demand,” says Sinari, who holds a diploma in agriculture and has done various courses to enhance his knowledge in the field. Currently enjoying his first marigold harvest, the next crop of flowers will be during Diwali and later for Tulsi Vivah. After that, he will move on to the next crop. Sinari has previously cultivated hybrid chillies and lady fingers and plans to explore other […]

Crochet is a delicate craft in which a hook is used to loop wool or thread and continue it with stitch after stitch until the desired product is completed. It has its own place in every Goan household. This can be realized by the fact that every bride brings with her crochet items as a part of ‘dennem’ to her in-laws’ place. The craft of crochet came to Goa with the arrival of the nuns and missionaries in the 15th century and from has been passed on from one generation to other. It is time-consuming but the end result is an elegant, delicate, soft piece of work. This craft empowers housewives in Goa. Crochet is used to create many items like blankets, blouses, coats, caps, socks, gloves, tablecloth, purses, and much more. It is a refreshing alternative to machine-made products.   SHERYL GONSALVES | NT GOGOANOW Pic credit: Shivang Mishra | NT GOGOANOW

Franco Fernandes In a quiet village of Goa, Camurlim, lives Franco Fernandes, a self-taught practitioner of coconut shell craft. He won awards like 1st & 2nd place for Best Handicraft and 2nd place for the State Art Exhibition. He even fabricated coconut shell accessories for Wendell Rodricks, the fashion designer. Franco takes private orders. He makes items like coconut bottles, lampshades, bangles, rings, necklaces, pendants, paper knives and hair clips. It makes one amazed at how useful a simple coconut can be. He says, “It is my hobby turned into a profession.” Part of the process of coconut shell craft is taking out the husk, cleaning it, and shaping it by hand or other cutting tools. Sometimes he modifies the cutting tools to get the shape he desires. His future plan is to start working with coconut wood. SHERYL GONSALVES | NT GOGOANOW Pics Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW

The word terracotta comes from the Italian word “baked earth”. In Goa, there are various local artists who ply the trade of making terracotta artifacts. These artists take on various projects handed to them by various hotels across Goa. They are also available at Aparant Goan Handicrafts Emporium (opposite Institute Menezes Braganza Hall). Terracotta is a craft that can bring about beautiful sculptures of various sizes- small enough to sit on your table or large enough to be the main attraction somewhere. It takes a lot of effort and precision. The object has to be baked and can even take almost a full day to get ready. They usually have an earthy reddish-brown colour. A lot of things can be made through this craft- statues, lampshades, figurines, pots, home decor, and more. Click here to know more about the people who make terracotta items.  SHERYL GONSALVES | NT GOGOANOW Pic Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW

For the first time in Goa, an eco-farm will be opening which consists of more than just a farm or spice plantations. People can come here and admire the farm and get thrills as well. The construction of SharvRaj Eco-farm at Padoshe Sanquelim in Sattari taluka will be in five phases. The first phase will be inaugurated on 9th March 2019 at 4 pm. It will be open to the public from 10th March 2019 onwards.  The first phase is built in an area of 10 acres. The farm consists of horticulture, rainwater harvesting, vegetable cultivation, borewell recharge, different types of irrigation methods, medicinal herbs, water management, organic fertilizers, and more. Those who love adventure will be able to find it at the eco-farm’s adventure park which has features such as Burma bridge, climbing net, rope net crossing, catwalk net, sliding net, log swinging bridge, tyre climbing, and rock climbing. Their water park facilities are a water play station, family slide, spiral slide, multilane slide, and so on. Another attraction of SharvRaj Eco-farm will be the thrill rides- sky cycling (the first in Goa) and zip lining. Other activities include horse rides, bull cart rides, archery, etc. They will be […]

The usually tranquil Divar Island turned into a place of celebration for the famous ‘Bonderam’ festival.  Years ago, the Portuguese tried to prevent villagers from taking over nearby land by putting up flags to mark those areas. The villagers started knocking down these flags. The ‘Bonderam’ festival celebrates their protests. The festival started with a flag parade followed by a fancy dress competition where children and adults entertained everyone by acting out the character they were dressed up as. Many colourful floats were brought out for public viewing. Whoever took part in this celebration had a great time. Pic Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW.COM

Chefs share smoothie recipes to beat the heat.  GRANOLA & FRUIT SMOOTHIE Ingredients:1 banana sliced1 apple medium (Peeled & Diced)1/3 cup plain Greek yoghurt1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder1tbsp. maple syrup or honey1 tbsp. flaxseed powder1/2 cup granola1/4 cup ice Method:Crush granola coarsely in the blenderAdd Greek yoghurt, soy milk, and honey to blend it wellAdd the rest of the ingredients and blend until smoothVoila! Granola smoothie is ready AVOCADO SUPER SMOOTHIE Ingredients: 1/2 cup of almonds & walnuts1 ½ – 2 cups of spinach leaves chopped1 firm ripe avocado 1 ½ cups almond milk 1tbsp. of liquid apple syrup or honey1tbsp. sunflower seeds1tbsp. pumpkin seeds Method:Add mixed nuts (almond & Walnut), sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in a blender and blend it wellAdd spinach, avocado & soya milk in a blender. Blend until smoothAdd liquid apple syrup or honey and blend it for another 10 seconds.Pour into glasses and serve. PEANUT BUTTER AND HONEY OAT SMOOTHIE (from Executive Chef Nitin Mathur, Taj Santacruz) Ingredients: 2 cups of rolled oats (pan-roasted)½ yoghurt1 cup almond milk1 large banana3tbsp. peanut butter2 tablespoons honey1tbsp flaxseed powder   Instructions: Place oats in blender and processPour milk into a blender and allow processed oats to soften in […]

When a person thinks of Assagao, these words come to mind- hills, serenity, history, eating, shopping. Assagao is one of the quieter places of Goa but also has trendy boutiques and restaurants. Just taking a walk or cycling here can be enjoyable as you can admire a lot of Portuguese houses from the colonial era or visit concept stores. Here are some not-to-miss places in Assagao: St Cajetan Church – This is a beautiful church on a slight hillock. In 1775, it was a chapel. It has charming interiors and exteriors. It was built by the Portuguese. The Food – There are a number of eating options in Assagao. At Villa Blanche Bistro you’ll get vegan options, beef steaks, pastries, homemade items, etc. Black Vanilla is famous for their All Day breakfasts and also provide quiches, pizzas, and more. Gunpowder serves refined South Indian food while SEA is known for their Asian food and seafood dishes. Additional noteworthy options are Mum’s Kitchen (Goan food), Vinayak, Sublime (European food) and others. Shop Till you Drop – People Tree Design Studio & Store sells ethically made clothes, upcycled accessories and more. Another boutique that is all for ethical and eco-friendly fashion is No Nasties. They make vegan organic cotton clothes. Rangeela sells clothes, home décor, beachwear, and traditional jewellery […]

Feni is a very popular drink and is produced only in Goa. It takes a lot of effort to make it and is completely organic with no added preservatives. One can get cashew feni (fermented cashew juice) and coconut feni (obtained from coconut toddy) from this state. Feni is sometimes mixed with cola and lime to make a nice cocktail. Urrak is a lighter form of cashew feni, has a fruity flavor, and is available during summer. Feni has a similar flavour but is more potent. Some people even mix feni in certain Goan dishes like sorpotel. Locals also use it to cure colds. They also make a Feni nutmeg mixture to use for massages and to bring down swelling. Pic Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW.COM

Have you ever wondered how Goa was in the past? A simple 82-year-old Goan lady shares details about her life with us. Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow What was Goa like during your youth? There was unity in the family. My mother used to go out of the way by making less for the family and giving the neighbour. My food diet was usually rice and curry. Chicken and other meat was a luxury which was eaten for festivals. Beef was rarely consumed but pork was the most common thing. There were no fridges so we made dishes that could last for some time. I also usually had pulses, beans, pumpkin, gourd, and long string beans. A lot of superstitions were believed in those days. We were told to not go out at night because evil spirits are roaming. On ‘All souls day’ people believed that the souls will come and drink water. They would keep food on top of the roof for the souls. Another superstition was that after midnight a headless evil man/ spirit will roam with a stick. So if people heard any sound like a stick beating something, they would put the lights off and hide […]

A unique ritual is held at Se Cathedral, Old Goa on every Good Friday and known as ‘Capas Magnas’ or Shepdyanche Pursanv (Procession of tails). The procession is called ‘Shepdyanche Pursanv’ as the trailing end of the cloak resembles a tail (shepdi). This unique procession has been held in the Se Cathedral from the sixteenth century. This procession is held in locations where the Cathedral Chapters still exits. The Cathedral Chapters is an organization of clergies which comprises of ‘Canons’– who are the advisors to the Archbishop. Earlier this institution was called as the ‘Cabido’ and the Canons were called as ‘Conegos’. Initially there were 32 canons who were advisors to the Archbishop of Goa and their jurisdiction ranged from South Africa to Japan. Presently there are only 5 canons who reside at the Se Cathedral in the Archiepiscopal Palace– the first palace of the Archbishop of Goa, which dates back to 1535. On the day of Good Friday during the procession the Canons are seen dressed up with special black cassocks, which has a hood and a long trail and portrays the state of mourning. (The liturgical service at Se Cathedral, Old Goa starts at 3.00 pm, which is […]

Velha Goa Galeria    Velha Goa Galeria is a place full of various creative pieces. They sell products like ceramic tiles, clay items, glassware, tableware, and cutlery. The majority of their products are Azulejos (hand painted glazed tiles). The price range of the products is approximately between Rs.300 and Rs.15,000. They also conduct workshops and hold exhibitions.  . .  Address- H.No.191, Rua de Ourém,                Fontainhas, Altinho,                Panaji, Goa .  Telephone: 98221 59881        Azulejos de Goa   The Portuguese style craft, Azulejos, is beautiful. These hand-painted tiles take hours to make. Orlando Noronha went to Portugal and started getting into this craft. He says, “ I always wanted to do something different. It’s an art that I learned in Portugal in 1998 as a hobby and later on when I returned I thought of reintroducing this beautiful art in Goa with Goan designs, motifs, etc.” He is of the opinion that it will always be trendy. His place in Panjim, Azulejos de Goa, is crowded with these tiles and the most popular items are Azulejos tiles and plates. Orlando’s products are also available at Taj Khazana, Magsons […]

Neeta Bhat Goa, a coastal region, boasts of its shell craft.  Neeta is one such person who practices this beautiful craft. He ingeniously incorporates shells into various household items like flower vases, table lamps, hanging balls, shell mirrors, and showpieces. Since Neeta is registered at the Handicraft emporium, their branches sell his products. Additionally, private shops from Mapusa & Panaji buy his items. He believes in keeping a low-profit margin of only 20%. The price range for his products are approximately between Rs.17 to Rs.290.” In the future, he intends to dabble in making necklaces out of raw material like sari borders.  The gentle-natured Neeta says this about shell craft, “ Of course I enjoy it!.” Maya Shetkar  The down-to-earth person- Maya Shetkar uses simple seashells which she buys from the market to create beautiful pieces of art. At a young age of 16, Maya’s neighbour taught her this craft and over the years she has put her own creative input into seashells crafting. She makes showpieces, table lamps, curtains, flower pots, mirror work, shell flower bouquets, and earrings. Maya’s items are available at Goa Handicraft showrooms.  She also sells her work at exhibitions. Her prices start at Rs.50. She admits […]

Jaggery is a concentrated sugar product that is obtained from sugarcane or palm trees. It is considered as an alternative for sugar as it is very much sweet and also brings nutritional properties with it, which are very much essential to the human body. In Goa the Coconut jaggery (maddache goud) and sugarcane jaggery (ushi’che goud) are widely used in the cuisine to prepare various delicacies. These both types of jaggery can be easily identified based on their distinctive appearance. The coconut jaggery has a blackish color whereas the sugarcane jaggery has a tan-brownish appearance. As far as the sweetness factor of both these jaggery goes, the coconut jaggery is superior to cane jaggery. The coconut jaggery is widely used in the cuisine of Catholic community in Goa, who use it to prepare delicacies such as pinagr, dodol, patoloi, donnem and other sweet dishes. Whereas the cane jaggery is profoundly used in the cuisine of Hindu community, who use it to prepare prassad on the occasion of pooja or patoloi’s which are prepared on the occasion of nagpanchami. These varieties of jaggery are very much easily available in all sorts of general stores and local markets located across Goa.