Museum of Goa (MOG)

 

Image courtesy by Mog 

 (MOG) Museum of Goa.

 
Museum of Goa Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to give people from underprivileged communities the chance to engage with art. With the belief that art is a catalyst for social change, we strive to engage people through art education and professional collaborations.
The Museum, founded by Goan artist, Subodh Kerkar, in 2015, seeks to bring art and local history to larger audiences in an attempt to bridge the cultural gap in the country. Apart from taking contemporary art to the larger public, we are also a pedagogical experiment in narrating history.
The Museum seeks to bring art and local history to larger audiences, in an attempt to bridge the huge cultural gap in the country. Apart from taking contemporary art to the larger public, we are also a pedagogical experiment in narrating history.
 The exhibition showcases contemporary artists from Goa, as well as artwork inspired by the state
MOG is envisioned less as a respiratory of objects and more as a laboratory of ideas, where various art forms - painings, sculpture,photography, music ,theatre design, video art, films and many others are in constant dialogue with each other.

Housed in a 1038 sq meter space, designed byArchitect Dean D'cruz, MOG is situated Near North Goa.The infrastructuer is funded by artist subodh Kerkar                

    The Museum hosts a series of lectures and discussions every Sunday lead by some of the brightest minds from around the world, called MOG SUNDAYS. These talks are held from 11:30-12:30 every week. Contact MOG or find them on Facebook or Instagram to know about upcoming MOG SUNDAYS.

 The Museum of Goa also organises the Goa Affordable Art Fest every year. This Fest is an opportunity for emerging artists from India to exhibit and sell their work at MOG, one of the largest contemporary art galleries in India. All the pieces presented at GAAF is selected and curated by art experts of international renown and a certifiable, original artworks.

Goa Tourism

 Goa Tourism

Goa Tourism 

Goa is one of the most favorite destination among Indian tourists due to its pristine beaches. Dotted with hundreds of impressive beaches in Goa, the incredible coastline of more than 100 km offers beautiful views and serenity where tourists enjoy in the sun

Lying on the western coast, Goa is India's smallest state and unlike any other, known for its endless beaches, stellar nightlife, eclectic seafood, world-heritage listed architecture. Spread across just 3,702 km, Goa lies in the Konkan region. It is a far cry from the hippie haven or a beach getaway, and one of the only few destinations that is open 24x7. The laid-backness of Goa attracts as many international tourists as it does Indians, or even more so.

The Goans are quite friendly towards tourists and celebrate many festivals throughout the year, the most famous being the New Year and Goa Carnival. While the seafood is excellent, Goa has one of the best nightlife in India with trendy bars, beach shacks, elegant cafes and many clubs and discotheques. Thanks to lower alcohol prices in the state, Goa is also great for younger tourists with relatively tighter pockets.

Goa offers various opportunities to have an action-packed and fun-filled vacation. Be it honeymoon for newly wed couples, a relaxing family vacation, a vacation with friends, chilling out on the beautiful sandy beaches under the pleasant sun, visiting the old and heritage sites, go for an evening cruise — glittery, crowded and noisy. For the newly married couples, Goa has peaceful and serene beaches where one can enjoy complete privacy and togetherness.

The Goanese flavour of variety of landscape is also to be enjoyed in the various Heritage Sites that are recognized by the entire world as exotic and charming and definitely worth visiting. One such Heritage site is the Reis Magos Fort that is located about in North Panaji. The majestic Reis Magos Fort is located on the northern bank of Mandovi River across to the city of Panaji in North Goa. Another pristine Heritage Sight is the Se Cathedral. It is one of the biggest Churches in the whole of Asia and is dedicated to St Catherine. Shri Mangueshi Temple or the Mangeshi Temple is a major Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Another prominent landmark is the majestic Aguada Fort that was built with the purpose of protecting Goa from the attacks of the Dutch and the Marathas by preventing them from entering the Mandovi River.

Goa not only attracts the visitors for its fun-loving atmosphere, but it is also thronged by visitors who are interested to know its history and love to explore its rich heritage. The popular churches of Goa are must-visit sites for every tourist. Some tourists visit such religious places for spirituality while others just love to explore such sites. Well, whatever the reason is, you must visit top  churches in Goa while spending your vacation in this party land.

Photo courtesy Google

    Chapel of St. Francis Xavier.

    Church of St. Cajetan.

    Catholic Church of St. Francis Assiss.     

    Basilica of Bom Jesus. 

    Se Cathedral.                                             

    Immaculate Conception Church.    

Things to know before Goa Tour. 

 1. Drugs are illegal in Goa though widely available. Keep in mind that purchasing and carrying drugs is fraught with danger and can lead to fine and imprisonment 

2. Dial 108 in case of emergency. To connect to police (100), fire brigade (101) and ambulance (102) can be dialled 

3 .While visiting churches in Goa, cover your legs and shoulders. Avoid beachwear in religious places 

4 . If you choose to visit Goa during the summer, be sure to take special care of your skin. The heat can cause sunburns and heat strokes for many, and it is best to stay indoors or out of direct sunlight during the afternoons. Using sunscreen is also advisable

5.Avoid walking along dimly lit or unlit deserted narrow road beach areas alone at night

6. Avoid wearing a bikini or skimpy clothes outside the resort area. 

7.Free wifi is common in beach shacks, nightclubs and other eateries. Ask for the password.

8.Smoking is banned at many (not all) restaurants though open-air eateries and beach shacks are mostly okay with it. It would be prudent to confirm before smoking in public places.

      

The Best Resorts in Goa

We cover our favourite places to stay below, but if you’re in a hurry, here are some of our favourite resorts and boutique accommodations in Goa:

• Yab Yum Resort, Ashwem Beach (North Goa) – We love the tranquility, eco-friendliness and quiet vibes at this lesser known resort . 
• Anahata Retreat, Ashwem Beach (North Goa) – Also on Ashwem beach, Anahata is a beautiful retreat, built from reclaimed materials.
• Turiya Boutique Villa, Canacona (South Goa) This beautiful and intimate villa is set in a quiet, out of the way corner of Canacona for easy access to Agonda & Palolem beaches.
• Shunya Noi Varo, Siolim (North Goa) a beautifully restored villa, nestled along Goa’s backwaters near Panjim.
•  Casa da Graça, near Panjim (North Goa), another beautifully restored.
•  Portuguese villa, overlooking the Zuari river.
• La Mangrove, (South Goa) Chic “eco tipis” tucked away in the very south of Goa. 
• Beaches In Goa
• Despite being the smallest state in India, Goa is synonymous to many captivating things that are best showcase of a life without stress and worries. The multitude of beaches in Goa offer a range of activities such as beautiful walks along the palm fringed shores sprawled with unique shells and intriguing boat rides. There are range of beach huts where tourist can stay in and restaurants in which one can taste local and delicious sea food. There are numerous beaches in the Goa but the beach that is perfect for you will fully depend upon the kind of experience you want to have. Some of the popular beaches of Goa can be named as Arambol, Agonda, Anjuna and Vagator, Calangute, Candolim, Cavelossim, Colva, Dona Paula - a popular beach. Palolem, Sinquierem, Bogomolo - a beautiful and serene beach near Vasco Da Gama.

• Wildlife sanctuaries.

  Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife, Sanctuary,Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Mollem National Park, Bondla wild life Forest, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, are some of the famous wild life centuries.

  Monuments & Forts 

  Chapora Fort, Fort Aguada, Teracol Fort, Reis Magos Fort, Mormugao Fort, Rachol Fort, Naroa Fort, Corjuem Fort,Cabo De Rama Fort in Goa.

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• Food in Goa has variety and several options, which can clearly be termed has fusion foods. When in Goa, do not miss the local staple delicacies including fruit rice and fish curries. Goan food is known for its different flavors. Sea-food, prepared from freshest pf catches, is another item that is also not be missed. Food of this beach state is also an important display of its vibrant culture.

  Goa was a Portuguese colony till 1961 and this can still be felt in air, mannerism, architecture and everything else including food. When Indian and Portuguese cooking styles are clubbed with aromatic spices, the result is finger-licking food.

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• Scenic beauty

  Goa has number of other scenic options. One such attraction is Waterfall. Goa lies between Sahyadri hills and Arabian Sea. Goa is full of beautiful springs, lakes, and waterfalls. While traveling to these places one gets to see the natural beauty of Goa. Dudhsagar Water Falls.

•  Mayem Lake, Arvalem Waterfall, Kuskem Waterfall are some of the famous water falls in Goa.

• Impact of tourism in Goa

  • It helps in creating job opportunities and in the development of economy.
  • Most of the rich and famous metropolises are investing in Goa which has pushed up land prices and has created overcrowding.
  • Garbage is one of the problem in Goa and there is no proper infrastructure to deal with it. Tourist places are piled up with garbage because of the increased number of tourist in Goa. As a result Goa is facing a major problem of solid waste management.
  • Most of the tourist prefers to visit places in the North which has resulted in the exceeding carrying capacity. Goa’s tourism belt is getting overcrowded.
  • Overexploitation of beaches due to the tourism related activities. Infrastructure.
• Food in Goa.
• Food in Goa has variety and several options, which can clearly be termed has fusion foods. When in Goa, do not miss the local staple delicacies including fruit rice and fish curries. Goan food is known for its different flavors. Sea-food, prepared from freshest pf catches, is another item that is also not be missed. Food of this beach state is also an important display of its vibrant culture.

• Goa was a Portuguese colony till 1961 and this can still be felt in air, mannerism, architecture and everything else including food. When Indian and Portuguese cooking styles are clubbed with aromatic spices, the result is finger-licking food.

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Monsoon Magic In Goa

 The onset of Monsoon in the Konkan region is mid July to mid September. The rains are intense, unrelenting, heavy, stormy, disrupting normal life many times. Power failure, risky and choppy waters of the Arabian Sea, slippery cliffs, wet sand, low visibility and risk of driving become extremely likely. Hence the vacation season of Goa is the school summer holidays and the winter months, specially the Christmas and New Year period. The summers are not ideal to holiday there because of extremely high temperatures while the happening season is post - monsoon till the New Year. However, there is a group of visitors / travellers who prefer the monsoons in Goa due to a variety of reasons which are as follows. 

Why Go to Goa In The Off Season - Monsoon ?

1. Love of water, waterfalls and rain.

2. Negligible traffic at all tourist points, hotels, restaurants, clubs etc.

3. Cheaper accommodation, at almost 50 % off.

4. Cheaper air fares with great offers and discounts.

5. Better service from the hospitality industry as they have lesser guests to attend.

6. Enjoy the konkan monsoon at its full glory.

7. Empty beaches to walk, stroll, take in the beauty of the Arabian Sea and perfect for clicking pictures.

8. All services at much reduced prices be it cabs, food, drinks, club tickets etc.

9. Peace and quiet for those who prefer to enjoy nature with a select few loved ones. 

10. Number of events are arranged in these monsoon months.

11. Explore the quaint konkani villages and try out the local cuisine.

12. Visit the majestic Dudhsagar Waterfalls.

13. Visit the Spice Gardens, buy fresh spices and oils.  

14. Go River Rafting, Wildlife Safari Tours, Long Drive in the Ghats, Nature walks and treks. 

15. Luxury Cruise trip in the Mando river.

16. Participate in many local Goan festivals and events.

17. Lush Konkan greenery as far as the eye can see.

18. Bonfires on the empty beaches. 

    
    
    

Where To Stay according to the location of the Beaches 

1. North Goa Beaches

 Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna, Vagator, and Ashwem. 

2. South Goa Beaches 

Palolem, Colva, Cavelossim, Benaulim, and Agonda. 

North Goa has more activity, night life, crowd and hotels, shacks open all year round.

South Goa is very quiet, full of peace and tranquility

Monsoon Festivals Of Goa 

1. 13 June -Feast of St. Anthony 

2.  24 June - Sao Joao Feast of St. John the Baptist  

3.  Beach Side Party In June,

4. 2nd or 3rd week of July -Chikhal Kalo 

5. 29 June  Feast of Saint Peter and Paul - The locals build rafts and sail on Goa rivers, singing and playing songs.

6. 29 th July - Touxeachem Fest, Santana Church or the Church of St Anne 

7. 15 August - Patolleanchem Feast  organised by The Socorro Socio-Art and Cultural Association 

8. 20 August - World Goa Day

9. Last Saturday of August - Bonderam Festival 

Festivals in Goa are full of life, exuberance, vibrant colours, dance, music, parades, fancy dress get ups, traditional floats, live music performances, authentic Goan cuisine, Boating, exhibitions.

However there might be a few Disadvantages of a monsoon trip to Goa.

• Many night clubs, hotels, eateries and beaches remain closed due to it being the Off - Season.

• Not many water and adventure sports are possible due to the risk factor.

• Less crowds and fun activities that are available during peak season times.

• Disruption in life due to thunderstorms.

• Swimming and spending time on the beach might not be possible due to the violent, choppy waters of the Arabian Sea.

• Limited choice in accommodation and food choices.

• Stormy rains might impact going outdoors and limit the guest to stay safe and secure indoors. 

As with everything in life, a trip to Goa in the monsoons might be full of pros and cons and the adventurous travel has to decide which side of the balance is heavier and plan accordingly.

Images - Courtesy www.istockphoto.com

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Butterfly Beach, Goa

Far from the hip and happening beaches, pubs, hotels and famous tourist attractions of North Goa, at the extreme southern point lies the secluded Butterfly Beach. A marvel of nature with huge rocky hills surrounding it on two sides and the third covered by a dense forest, the beach is preferably accessible from the Arabian sea. A ferry from the nearest two more well known beaches, Angoda and Palolem drops the tourists right at the beach. 

Serene, calm and crystal clear green waters of the Arabian sea attracts the type of the beach lovers who prefer the tranquility and peace of nature along with the picturesque view of the vast undulating waters, the setting sun, sightings of dolphins, butterflies, boat rides, photography and solitude specially by the honeymoon couples. 

Where is it - At a distance of 37 kms south of Mormugao

How to reach : 

By Road - 

• From Agonda via MDR49 

• From Palolem via MDR49 

There are a couple of drop points from where one has to trek through dense forest as four wheelers cannot go further due to no roadway till the beach.

Even the two - wheelers have to cross rocky and uneven trails and still stop at about a distance of 500 meters from the beach.

By Sea - Take a ferry either from Agonda beach or Palolem beach 

Minimum ferry fare - ₹ 1000 onwards per person ( Bargaining for a group discount can be done with the ferry service )

What to do - Swimming, Rock climbing, Trekking, Photography, Boating to see the dolphins, watch the beautiful sun setting in the unending Arabian sea

When to go - November to March

Seasons to avoid - Monsoon and Summer; high tide times

Hours to visit - Early morning till the sunset; only during the low tides ( 9am to 5pm ) 

Pet friendly - Yes

Named after the thousands of monarch butterflies that would appear on the hillside trees during the blooming season, the beach is among the lesser known and visited by the tourists to the extremely popular tourist state of Goa. Reaching it is a bit of a struggle as it is surrounded by rocky mountains and forest that one has to cross on foot. The four-wheelers can access only till the Channel Drive beyond which one has to climb the ramp / stairs and then climb down over the rocky terrain surrounding the beach on two sides. The third access point is via the forest that requires trekking for about one hour through a trail. However, there are no sign boards indicating the direction and one can get lost or discouraged by the presence of wildlife. Taking along an experienced trekker or a guide is recommended. There is no provision for tourists such as restrooms, eateries, lifeguards etc. However it is a delight for sea - lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, solitude seeking families and couples, adventure junkies and nature lovers. Moreover the sighting of the massive dolphins along with other sea life is an added attraction.

Pictures source - www.traveltriangle.com

Wigwam, Goa's Hidden Gem

Goa is one of the top tourist destinations in India with both domestic and international visitors making a beeline for the state on every occasion; be it the school holidays, long weekends, the monsoons, various festivals, Christmas and the New year. Of the two clearly different South and North Goa preferences, the northern part is more tourist friendly with most of the attractions to lure visitors looking for a typical fun holiday as compared to the more peaceful and subdued southern Goa. However, in spite of being heavily crowded with discos, cafes, resorts, hotels and the popular beaches there is an oasis of serenity and calm right at a 10 minutes distance from the well known and hugely popular Mandrem beach. 

Wigwamgoa is a unique place located amidst the green forests in the style of the Native American tents called Tipi literally meaning a conical cloth covered structure supported by wooden poles. Apart from the Tipis they have totally modern furnished wooden cottages and apartments with all creature comforts. The place is exceptionally designed making use of its forest location with even the bathrooms having palm trees growing inside with most furnishings made of wood or cane. The decor is mind blowingly beautiful with unique artifacts made of cane, leaves or wood , white and serene colors adorning the walls as well as the tipis and the bedsheets. The use of contrasting red and blue makes it eye pleasing. The tipis and the wooden cottages lie amongst the lush greenery with individual meandering paths. The whole luxurious set up has been cleverly designed around the natural beauty of the palm trees and other foliage with the cafe, chill out zones, yoga shala surrounded by dense trees and built using wooden planks. Yet the setting is ultra luxurious with all modern comforts and amenities to make the guest experience the best of both worlds. 

Unique Offerings include outdoor yoga shala from world renowned yoga masters, meditation, tropical gardens, health food cafe, chill out areas, healing tipi, sweat lounge ceremonies, raw food workshops, Cacao ceremonies, shared massage center, art and music festivals, breath work, home cooked organic meals, vegan meals, reiki, deep tissue massage etc 

Amenities include fully equipped kitchenette, AC apartments, king sized beds, en suite bathrooms that are open to the sky, toiletries, towels, hot showers, bathrobes, 24 hour security, WiFi, access to yoga shala, daily housekeeping, parking, cafe and workshops, cycling, nature walks etc

Accommodation

1. Tipi

2. Jungle Lounge

3. Wooden Cottage 

4. Raj Villa Apartment

5. Namaste Jungle Apartment

6. Leopards Lair Apartment

7. Captain's Corner Apartment

Tariff ( Taxes Exclusive )

Starts from ₹5000 onwards up to ₹8000 depending on various factors like the accommodation, weekdays, weekends, availability, public holidays etc

Meals are not included. No charges for extra cot. 

Food Provision ( Veg, Vegan, Non Veg ) :-

Wigwam Cafe - 8 am to 12 noon. Serves fruits, smoothies, homemade breads among other healthy fare

Wigwam Pizzeria - 7 pm to 10 pm. Serves a variety of veg and non veg pizzas

English Roast Dinner is available from 2 pm to 7 pm on Sundays with cocktails and DJ night.

Suffice to say that it is the perfect place for detoxification of the body and mind, smack in the middle of the jungle with most North Goa tourist attractions within walking or cycling distance of this uber luxury retreat.

Contact Information -

252, Dandos Wada

Pernem, Goa, India

Phone number : 7796410921

Email address : wigwamgoa@gmail.com

Website : https://www.wigwamgoa.com

Pictures source - The website