- St Mathias, Goa
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St Mathias(Malar)
Malar
— village — Coordinates 15°31′N 73°55′E / 15.52°N 73.92°ECoordinates: 15°31′N 73°55′E / 15.52°N 73.92°E Country India State Goa District(s) North Goa Time zone IST (UTC+05:30) St Mathias also known as Malar is a village on Divar island, Tiswadi, in the Indian state of Goa. The island is located upriver 10 km from Panaji. A ferry connects Malar to the island village of Vanxim; also part of the Malar Panchayat. The Konkan Railway passes through Malar, the nearest stop on the mainland is the train station at Karmali. Ferry Connection from Narva to Narva- Bicholim, also Ferry Connection from the Island to Old Goa, and Ribander.
The St Mathias Church was built by the [Portuguese]] over 400 years ago. The St Mathias Sports Club is situated on the main road of the village. Malar also has a temple and a chapel.
Contents
Festivities
Bonderam
The famous Bonderam festival is celebrated in Malar a week earlier than in Divar, at the end of August during the monsoon and attended by thousands of tourists and locals. The festival is held in memory of the dispute and the fury of the villagers over the Portuguese system of resolving the disputes. The villagers on Divar Island often indulged in fights over the matter of ownership of their lands. To stop the disputes, the Portuguese put up flags at the boundaries. The villagers did not like this system and so they protested against the Portuguese by throwing stones at the flags. On this day a carnival ambience is created. Each section of the village has a float at the parade. Melodious music is played throughout the village. The gaily colored floats accompanied by colorfully dressed youngsters make a pretty picture.[1]
Potekar
The Potekar festival is celebrated across the island for three days before the start of Lent/Ash Wednesday, where local youths wear home made masks, costumes and cow bells, venturing around the village, receiving and demanding snacks and drinks from locals, and have licence to frighten the village children.
References
- ^ "Malar decks up for Bonderam this weekend". The Times of India. 20 August 2010. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Malar-decks-up-for-Bonderam-this-weekend/articleshow/6358599.cms. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
Categories:- Goa geography stubs
- Villages in Goa
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