The state of Goa and the city of Margao in India are popular with tourists from different countries. The famous beaches of Colva, Varca, Benaulim, are almost next to the city. When bored of basking in the sun and the soul demands adventure, many go to the second largest city in the state to go shopping and choose an interesting excursion.
Margao is the tourist and commercial center of Goa
The city’s population is steadily approaching the 95,000 mark, but the streets are not particularly crowded. The neighborhoods are spread out on both banks of the large Sal River, some neighborhoods retain the charm of old Portuguese-style houses. They remind us that Margao received its status as a city in the 17th century, gradually growing into a major commercial center of Goa.
Margao on the map of Goa
History
The first inhabitants were the native Indian tribes of the Mundras and the Kolas; they engaged in gathering and cultivating the land. In time they were replaced by the Dravidian tribes, who laid the foundations for fishing and trade. The progenitors of cultural heritage and religion were the Aryans, who erected the first temples in honor of their deities. One translation of the city’s name is “monastery village. Historians explain that it was in monasteries that knowledge, science, and art were concentrated.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese annexed the area to their colonies and destroyed most of the temples, building instead the Church of the Holy Spirit and a Jesuit college. The Goan Baroque temple is still intact; the whitewashed facade of the main part is complemented by two bell towers on either side; the interior is decorated with gilding, magnificent moldings and paintings.
Traces of Portuguese colonization are also found in the residential neighborhoods, where the influence of traditional architecture, thoroughly mixed with local building patterns, is noticeable.
Status of the city of Margao got in 1778, a good location gradually made it a shopping center, and with the opening of the railway station, it became a major transportation hub, where trains from Mumbai, Delhi and other cities in India necessarily stop.
Climate
Margao in South Goa is quite hot, with summer temperatures consistently in the 40 degree range. The monsoon season runs from July to September. It is getting cooler, with heavy downpours and winds blowing almost daily.
The peak tourist season is from October to April.
Tourists come to the city from the surrounding resort villages to store or go on a sightseeing tour of India.
Entertainment in Margao
After a walk around the city and a delicious breakfast in a national restaurant, it is worth a visit to the show of the singing fountain, be sure to watch an Indian movie in one of the cinemas and carefully examine the map of Margao heritage in Goa in Russian and English. The most interesting routes leading to major attractions are marked on it. Each is designed for about 25-30 minutes.
A visit to the municipal market is a separate adventure. It looks more like a self-contained city and completely captures the attention of those who get there for the first time. The market in Margao is also marked on the map, the mode of operation is almost round the clock, it is considered one of the largest in Goa.
Margao sights
They are few and almost all of them are architectural and natural monuments.
- The town square is memorable for its well-kept municipal garden and the bustling Aga Khan Market. In the square there is a public library with books in Hindi, Portuguese, and English. Admission and tour of the library is free; a nominal fee is charged for the use of the reading room.
- Rahul Seminary is located on a hilltop outside the city limits. It was first a Hindu temple, later a Muslim fort, and then a church, which opened a seminary. The ditch and gates are what is left of the fort.
- Lutolim is a typical tourist neighborhood. It is styled like the old days, there are numerous souvenir shops, stone sculptures in the streets, and restaurant menus consist mainly of national dishes.
In addition, it is definitely worth a visit:
- Church of the Holy Spirit;
- of the Pandavas’ caves;
- the chapel of St. Sebastian;
- Sri Damodar Temple;
- the partially destroyed fortress of Cabo de Rama.
The tour will not take much time, will help build an impression of one of the main cities of Goa and calmly proceed to the purchase of souvenirs.
Markets and Shopping in Margao
Margao fully justifies its fame as the main shopping center in Goa. Its markets and stores are full of original things that are almost impossible to buy in other cities. The range is huge and sometimes it’s impossible to leave the pavilion without buying.
Margao is home to the best indoor market in the state.
Vegetable, fruit and clothing bazaars in the city are counted among the local attractions. They sell plants that are sometimes impossible to identify without a botanical atlas, all of which are edible and in demand. The seafood includes fish, squid, shrimp, lobster, and lobster. Separate attention is paid to clothing and spices. They are sold almost everywhere.
The traditional Margao market bazaar observes a number of unspoken rules. For example, the darker the skin of the holidaymaker, the greater the discount he will receive on goods or be awarded a particularly good deal. It is customary to haggle competently and inspirationally for any product, as prices are initially inflated several times over.
Reviews about shopping in the mall in Margao in Goa are quite contradictory, but the predominant ones are enthusiastic, dedicated to the variety of goods and the amazing kindness of the sellers. Many of them speak excellent English, understand Russian, and communicate perfectly well in sign language if it promises to benefit them.
The main market of Margao is located in Konkani district and the Kadamba bus stop is nearby. You can take a bus for 20 rupees from anywhere in the city. Rickshaws and cabs are much more expensive, especially since the comfort of the trip leaves much to be desired.
The largest shopping center is considered the Big G. For traditional Indian souvenirs it is best to go to Margao market, where you can buy souvenir gift sets of spices, bright shells, bamboo products, brass knickknacks, coral jewelry, samples of traditional crafts, alcoholic beverages made from cashew nuts.
Video review of Margao
A visit to Margao will be remembered for luxury shopping and exotic dishes in local restaurants.
