Goa is more than just beautiful beaches, amazing fish curry rice and all night parties. This beautiful tourist destination is steeped in history, culture and traditions. Here is a little sneak peek into the unknown.

Fact 1

The longest laterite sculpture in India is located at the Ancestral Goa (Big Foot) museum in Loutolim, South Goa. This mammoth sculpture of Sant Mirabai strumming on her tambura is 14 m long and is cited in the Limca Book of Records. It shows influences of the famous Gandhara school of Art. This centre actively preserves art, the Goan culture and the environment. Also check out the legend of Big Foot. A wealthy land owner known as a ‘badkar’ in Konkani gave generously to the less fortunate. Although, unscrupulous people took advantage of his good nature and fleeced him of all his worldly goods. Seeing his generosity of spirits the gods granted him a blessing. The man being humble and pure asked only asked for a small place to pray. The gods gave him a hot rock where he could stand on one foot and pray. The man utilised this rock both day and night until the gods, impressed with his devotion, took him up to heaven, leaving behind his footprint on the rock with the legend that all those of pure heart would be blessed with luck.The museum is open to visitors daily from 9.00am to 6.00pm.

Fact 2

Many of us are aware that that the Portuguese ruled Goa for 450 years, but it’s ironic to know that during some of this time approximately 60 years, their country was ruled by Spain from the late sixteenth century. The period is known as the 1580 Portuguese succession crisis and is known to be a result of the death of a young king Sebastian of Portugal.

Fact 3

Goa is the only state that has had its road transport named after the dynasty that ruled it. The Kadambas ruled Goa for around 300 years. In the year 1980, the government of Goa set up the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited. The K.T.C runs a number of services and was set up to provide safe, cheap, timely, reliable and comprehensive transportation services in Goa.

Fact 4

Goa is the only state in India that regardless of religion has an active and enforced Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens even though India has different civil laws for different religious communities. The Portuguese Civil Code that remains in force even today and was introduced in the 19th century and wasn't scrapped after liberation. The Uniform civil code in Goa is a progressive law that allows equal division of income and property regardless of gender between husband and wife and also between children. According to the Uniform Civil Code even if the children (both male and female) have got married and left the house, the other half has to be divided equally among them. Thus the parents cannot disinherit the children totally as they can dispose only half of the property in a will and the rest has to be compulsorily and equally shared amongst their children.

Fact 5

The first medical school of India which is also one of the oldest medical colleges in Asia was established in Goa in 1842 in Panjim by the Portuguese. It has since been relocated to Bambolim, which is about 4km from its initial location. It was the place where for over 400 years medicine was taught in Portuguese. Later the medium of teaching changed to English. Now the syllabus has expanded dramatically and one can study several subjects from fashion technology, information technology, engineering, law, biotechnology and management. Goa Medical College has still stayed very true to its roots and students from all over India take the entrance exam for a chance to study at this prestigious medical college. With so few seats available in comparison to demand, this really is a case of survival of the fittest. Goa Medical College also has a hospital attached to it which is the largest and the best equipped hospital in Goa. Goa Medical College is run by the state but Goa also houses many private clinics and hospitals.

Fact 6

Goa is the only place where one can find a unique pillion-passenger motorcycle taxi or two wheeler taxi often referred to as a 'pilot'. These motorcycle taxis can be easily identified by their number plates as they have a yellow background. It is known to be a cheap form of transport in Goa and is a very popular means for the ladies to roam around to the markets. These vehicles transport a single pillion rider, at fares that are usually negotiated. Can be used for long or short distances, charges are about Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 (1 km or little more).

Fact 7

Goa houses the only Naval Aviation Museum that exists in Asia which is also one of seven that exist in the world.Real aircraft that span the history of the naval aviation in India is displayed. The towering Lockheed super constellation used in the 70's for maritime reconnaissance and the amphibian short sea land - one of among the only three surviving in the world, and the first naval aircraft to be acquired by India stands next to the museum. The Indian navy's first helicopter, namely the Hughes Hu 296c, the jet- trainer vampire, the anti- submarine Alize, the multirole dove and the fighter sea Hark (an indo-pak war veteran). However the sea harrier jump jet that is in frontline service with the Indian navy currently is the prize exhibit here. The museum is open on all days from 10 am to 5 pm except on Mondays so fly by if you have time.

Fact 8

St. Francis Xavier is the patron saint of Goa and lots trust that he protects the land till today. Many people also believe that he protected Goa during the corona virus outbreak as Goa had very few cases compared to other states and no deaths. The miraculous remains of St. Francis Xavier at Old Goa is more than 500 years old and still exists in a rich silver casket in a non-decomposing state at Basilica of Bom Jesus . An exposition is held every 10 years to allow thousands of worshippers of all religious to view what is left his body.

Fact 9

The Se Cathedral, Old Goa is dedicated to St. Catherine, as it was on her feast day, 25th November 1510 that Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa. Believers are awe-struck to hear of the Cross of Miracles, which is placed in the cathedral, its earlier church having been destroyed. Its claim ot fame is it is one of the largest churches in Asia. It is also known to be the oldest and the most celebrated religious buildings in Goa and has the prestige of being the seat of Archdiocese of Goa. The UNESCO has also declared it as a heritage site.People have had a vision of Christ on this cross and the rock on which it was found was said to spout water while, today, the cross is slowly growing. Earlier, it was at Se Cathedral that the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were shown to the public.

Fact 10

In the year 1556, the first printing press in Asia was set up at St. Paul College in Goa, a very famous educational institution in India. It was also known to be a principal centre of higher studies in the East which included a Master's as well as Doctorate degree. The original building, however, was abandoned progressively after the outbreak of plague in 1578, and in 1829 the Government mostly demolished the structure. All that remains is an archway in basalt stone which is the facade of the old college.

Posted On : 01/04/2020

Written By : Calangute Chatterbox