Mapusa Tourism, Goa India

Mainly a market town for the surrounding beach areas of Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna and Baga among others Mapusa is 13 km from the capital city of Panaji. The whole town wears a lively look when the famous weekly Friday Market begins. The market attracts people from all over Goa who come here to buy and sell their wares. Everything from fresh and dried fish, incense, spices, fruits and vegetables to souvenirs from other states of India is available here. Local Goan specialties such as spicy sausages and the Goan spirits such as toddi and cashew feni are much in demand amongst locals and outsides. Another item to look out for is the magnificent banana crop from the nearby village of Moira. Most of the items are sold after a few rounds of bargaining and the prices are usually much lower than anywhere else and the goods are authentic. Church of Our Lady of Miracles about 2 km east of the market area. The Church of Our Lady of Miracles has a beautiful gabled facade but is more famous for its annual feast than for its architectural splendour. The other famous shrine is that of Lord Bodgeshwar, located on the outskirts of the town in the middle of some rice fields, which is beautifully lit up at night and draws thousands of devotees for its annual Jatra.

 Mapusa’s location near the Rio de Mapusa or Mapusa River, gave it this position of pre-eminence as a trading town centuries ago, long before the Portuguese advent.

The town’s name, pronounced Map-sa after the Konkani terms for measure and fill, is an indication of its commercial nature. People gathered here to celebrate festivals to honour the Hindu God, Kanakeshwar Baba, who was worshipped at the Bogdeshwar Temple. They shopped at the local market, which was well stocked with their day-to-day needs. From a simple market for oil lamps and clay pots, Mapusa bazaar evolved into the lively market it is today. So travel to Mapusa and explore the charms of this quaint town in Goa.