Chai
Chai Am talking of the good Indian boiled Chai – with the milk & sugar and water & tea leaves all boiled together for a long time. [Not to be … Continue reading
One Old Lady meets Another
The paint has worn out. And there are plenty of nicks on the woodwork, each telling an unforgetable tale. Layers of old paint shed – layers of fresh paint applied … Continue reading
The Susegad Dogs of Goa
Susegad is an attitude Goa is known for. There is no exact translation – but it loosely means relaxed or carefree or don’t-worry-about-it or lazing or just-chill …. This attitude … Continue reading
An Eventful Walk – Goa
An evening in Goa – I went out to buy some dahi and stopped at the beach expecting to take a normal short uneventful walk. * There were fishermen and … Continue reading
Goa Carnaval 2018
Something to do over the weekend in case you are in Goa! Delighted to find local culture in the themes of the floats! Delighted to find people of all ages … Continue reading
Art in Gold for a Goan Wedding
I cannot imagine how it is that the Goan found the time between cultivating their unbelievable rice, cooking and eating their amazing curries and enjoying the subsequent coma-like siestas that … Continue reading
Goan Portugese Houses – Art in Architecture
Classic Goan Portugese Houses are found all over Goan villages. Some are in great condition, others dilapidated. Viewed collectively, they represent an art style that belongs to the late 1800s … Continue reading
Shigmo Utsav Festival 2017 Goa
Connected to our roots through the amazing Shigmo folk festival parade in Panaji. Proud of all the regular people participating so wholeheartedly in this parade Proud of the absence of … Continue reading
The Way We Were – II
Photos of an exhibition of photos from negatives in the archives of Souza & Paul – the oldest photo studio in Goa, presented at the fabulous Serendipoty Arts Festival 2016. … Continue reading
Lives lived differently
Goa. 2016. And people still fish for their dinner. As these men and I are now neighbours, it is time I adopt some of their ways. 1. Eat what you … Continue reading
Carnival @ Goa
The Carnival @ Goa, Panaji. Very inclusive street party with floats put up by villages and individuals – the parade had participants from all profile groups, the young & the … Continue reading
Narakasur again
Driving back to my home in Goa last night, I saw many fully constructed Narakasurs along the way home. Saw many groups of children stopping cars for donations…. But regrettably … Continue reading
The Fiesty San Jao Festival of Goa
Reposting an earlier article about the San Jao Festival held every year on June 24th. Click to View The Fiesty San Jao Festival of Goa jm June 2015
The Narakasura Festival, Goa
[A post from 2010 on the occasion of Diwali & Narakasur] Goa. Narakasur. Pre-Diwali. A unique folk festival that I noticed for the first time in 2004 then became more … Continue reading
The Honey Trappers
* WARNING Several Graphic Images* Goa is one of the regions that is blessed with fertile forests. And a result of (or perhaps cause of) this is the large variety … Continue reading
In Search of Heaven
In every village, in every town in Goa I drive through there’s either a temple or a church/chapel just around the corner. Goa probably has the highest per-capita or per-acre … Continue reading
CALANGUTE GOA – BEACH RESORT PROPERTY FOR LONG RENTAL
If you plan to live in Goa in the heart of Goa’s most happening beach town Calangute, for a long period – do have a look at the long-rental properties … Continue reading
A walk through the Panaji Fish Market
Posting a mini photo essay while I travel: jm Aug 2013
Goan Fisherman’s tale – traditional wisdom, traditional fishing
While one half of the world chases efficiency and big money, Goa continues to chase the perfect life. Afternoon siestas are still not traded for earnings. I have been turned … Continue reading
Third World Country Happiness
My 20 year old son asked a question to which I have no answer. We’d spent 2 hours neck deep in the Arabian Sea, wave-bashing at Candolim Beach and eaten … Continue reading
Travelling between two eras – an encounter with Pushpa the maid servant
Pushpa used to work for the previous owners of our portugese villa before the family dissipated in numbers and before the house fell to ruin As per Goa laws, she … Continue reading
Christian Paintings from the Past
Old. Beautiful. Full of stories. Full of devotion. Antique Church Paintings. Many of these are on wood board. Others may be on canvas. Some hang high up on walls and … Continue reading
Church of St. Francis Xavier of Assisi, Old Goa
I studied at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, and my school was a convent run by a nun order that is closely associated with the Jesuit priests, an order started … Continue reading
Viva San Jao
24th June 2011 A second visit to the wonderful non-touristy festival in Goa! For the local people and by the local people. Vibrant colors, Vibrant music, Vibrant boat decor and … Continue reading
Procession at the Enchey Monastery, Sikkim
The head Lama at Enchey, a quiet handsome and dignified gentleman who rarely speaks to visitors, honored me with a detailed conversation about his life* and about the monastery. He … Continue reading
Street Shrines of India
The Gods are everywhere – literally. In busy Bombay, in parts where its working class real people live, almost every street has a wayside shrine. A holy tree or an … Continue reading
Goan Folk Art – Tulsi Pots
Goa is known for its beaches …but over the years its numerous hidden attractions have revealed themselves to me, slowly, one at a time, ensuring that I remain in love … Continue reading
Panaji to Sindhudurg Sea Fort and back
If you are considering going to Sindhudurg Sea Fort, you’d look at the map, find Sindhudurg on it and then head for it….but that would be a mistake! If you … Continue reading
Goan Village House
Of the three top attractions of Goa, two are secrets. Beaches are the only commonly known feature …but the quaint villages and the forests remain ignored by most. The continuous … Continue reading
Monsoon @ Miramar
Arrived in Goa, to the sounds of news channels whining about the railway traffic disruption in the region caused by the monsoon downpour. Rains in Goa are so dense that … Continue reading
Travelling Godmen – the Spiritual Healers of India
Travelling Godmen are wanderers that travel from village to village, restricting themselves to a particular geographical area (usually dictated by the language). They sell spirituality and its benefits in different … Continue reading
Colors of Sao Jao Festival – Goa
The feast of St. John the Baptist is celebrated with unspoilt ethnic Goan flavor on the 24th of June every year. Young men and boys of the village go as … Continue reading
Unusual Architecture of Tamdi Surla Temple
Deep within the forested areas of Goa lies a stone temple which seems to have very unusual architecture. Made entirely of stone – some slabs that are so large that … Continue reading