Margao
Margao
Madgaon | |
|---|---|
 Camara Municipal de Salcete, Margao City Square | |
| Nickname: Cultural capital of Goa | |
  Margao Location of Margao in Goa  Margao Margao (India) | |
| Coordinates: 15°16′25″N 73°57′29″E / 15.27361°N 73.95806°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Goa |
| District | South Goa |
| Sub-district | Salcete |
| Government | |
| • Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | Narendra Keshav Sawaikar |
| • Chairperson | Babita Angle[2] |
| Area | |
| • Town | 15.10 km2 (5.83 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 22.1 km2 (8.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Town | 87,650 [1] |
| • Metro | 106,484 [1] |
| Demonym | Madgaonkar |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 403601/2 |
| Telephone code | 0832 |
| Vehicle registration | GA-02, GA-08 |
| Website | MMCMargao.gov.in |
Margao or Margão (Konkani: [mɔɽɡãːw], Portuguese: [maɾˈgɐ̃w] ) or Madagav is the second largest city by population, and the commercial and cultural capital of the Indian state of Goa. It is the administrative headquarters of Salcete sub-district and South Goa district.
Etymology
Margão is the Portuguese spelling with Madugão being used in Konkani. It was called Madgaon in Marathi. It is derived from the Sanskrit Maṭhagrām which means a village growing towards the east. In Ravanphond, now a suburb of Margao, there are shrines of Matsyendranath and Gorakhnath.[3] The abode of Nath medicants was called a Matha (Monastery). Madagao was called Mathagrama on account of Vaishnavite Math belonging to Dvaita sect which was founded in the latter 15th century and shifted to Partagali after the establishment of the Portuguese power.[4]
History
Margão in pre-Portuguese times was one of the important settlements in Salcete and known as Matha Grama (the village of Mathas) as it was a temple town with nine Mathas in temple schools. Its replacement in 1579 was destroyed by raiders along with the seminary that had been built alongside it.[citation needed] The present church was built in 1675.[5][6] On 10 June 1962 Prince of Goa from Velim Roqui Santan went on a 3 day Satyagraha in Margao Municipality building opposing Lt. Governor’s nominations, demanded election and Democracy in Goa, when thousands of Goans joined in PM Nehru intervened and promised to hold first Elections In Goa for this he is known as ‘Father of Goan Democracy’ [7]
Damodar Temple
The initial settlement of Margão grew from the site of the ancient Damodar Temple. The original temple was demolished and the temple tank was filled up to be replaced by the Holy Spirit church and church grounds[citation needed]. The deity Damodar (a form of Lord Shiva) was carried across the Zuari Agranashini river to the Novas Conquistas in which the Sonde rulers resided.[citation needed] While the western side of the Holy Spirit Church developed as a market place, the settlement grew on the eastern side, that is, the Borda region, with the Holy Spirit Church, Margao at its core and extended outwards.
Camara Municipal de Salcete
The Municipality during the erstwhile Portuguese regime was known as "Camara Municipal de Salcete" [8] catering to all the villages in Salcete Taluka for over 300 years until the Goa Municipalities Act 1968, came into force. The "Camara Municipal de Salcete" is now reconstituted into Margao Municipal Council. The Members of the "Camara Municipal de Salcete" were then nominated by the Government, but after the reconstitution of the Municipal Council, the Members to all the 20 wards (10 in Margao & 10 in Fatorda) are elected by the Members of the council.
The Holy Spirit Church
The main square is defined on one side by the church with its baroque architecture and the parochial house, and on the other side by the palatial mansions of affluent elite Catholics, positioned in a row. The Associação das Communidades (Communities Association) building and the school being the odd exceptions which add to its character and sense of scale. They have a maximum height of two stories, and balcões balconies and varandas (verandas) facing the square. Parallel to the church square is the commercial street (old market). There is also a landscaped area next to the church called Praça da Alegria (Joy Square). The church feast is celebrated before the monsoons, it is a time when many residents make pre-monsoon purchases to stock up for a prolonged rainy season.
Margão's importance as an administrative and commercial area grew with the increasing dependence of the surrounding towns and villages; leading to the administrative center with the town hall at its center being built in the south.
In 1961, Goa was invaded by India and incorporated into the Indian Union, and Margão was declared as the administrative center of the district of South Goa.
Geography
Margao is located at 15°16′25″N 73°57′29″E / 15.27361°N 73.95806°E. It has an average elevation of 10 m (33 ft).[9]
By road, Margao is located approximately 33 km (21 mi) from the capital Panjim, and 27 km (17 mi) from Vasco da Gama.
Nestled on the banks of the Sal River, Portuguese style mansions dot its landscape. One of the fastest growing cities in Goa, its fast growing suburbs include Aquem, Fatorda, Gogol, Borda, Comba, Navelim and Davorlim.
Climate
Margao features a tropical monsoon climate. Summers are warm whereas winters are mild. Summers last from March–May when the temperature reaches up to 32 °C (90 °F) and winters from December–February when it is usually between 20–28 °C (68–82 °F). Monsoons occur from June–September with heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The annual average rainfall is 2,881 mm (113.4 in).
| Climate data for Margao | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.9 (89.4) |
31.7 (89.1) |
32.1 (89.8) |
33.0 (91.4) |
33.3 (91.9) |
30.4 (86.7) |
29.0 (84.2) |
28.8 (83.8) |
29.7 (85.5) |
31.7 (89.1) |
32.9 (91.2) |
32.6 (90.7) |
31.4 (88.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 19.8 (67.6) |
20.6 (69.1) |
23.2 (73.8) |
25.5 (77.9) |
26.4 (79.5) |
24.7 (76.5) |
24.3 (75.7) |
24.0 (75.2) |
23.9 (75.0) |
23.8 (74.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
20.9 (69.6) |
23.3 (73.9) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 0 (0) |
0.1 (0.00) |
0.6 (0.02) |
7.2 (0.28) |
97.1 (3.82) |
861.5 (33.92) |
899.8 (35.43) |
591.6 (23.29) |
256.3 (10.09) |
116.5 (4.59) |
33.9 (1.33) |
16.2 (0.64) |
2,880.8 (113.41) |
| Source: IMD | |||||||||||||
Demographics
As of the 2011 census of India,[11] Margao had a population of 87,650.[1] Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. It had an average literacy rate of 90%; male literacy was 93%, and female literacy 86.8%. In Margao, 9.8% of the population was under 7 years of age. With a population of 106,484 in the metropolitan area, Margao is second largest Urban agglomeration in Goa.[1]
Education
Margão hosts many schools and colleges. Loyola High School (Goa) near the Old Bus Stand is a Jesuit-run school and is one of the oldest in Margão. The Bhatikar Model English High School, popularly known after its founder Late Pandurang Raya Bhatikar,[12] was established in the year 1935[13] and is one of the leading educational institutions in the state of Goa. Mahila & Nutan High School, established as Samaj Seva Sangh’s Mahila Vidyalay for girls in 1933, is now a co-ed school since June 1972.[14] Manovikas High School, now located in Sonsodo, is one of the premier Indian Certificate of Secondary Education ICSE schools in Goa.[15] The other educational institutes in Margão include St. Joseph High School[16] at Aquem, Holy Spirit Institute,[17] Presentation Convent for girls,[17] Fatima Convent for girls,[17] and Perpetual Convent High School located in Navelim. Most schools function in accordance with the curriculum prescribed by the Directorate of Education, Goa, and the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Goa.
The colleges in Margão include The Parvatibai Chowgule College which was housed in Portuguese Military Barracks opposite Multipurpose High School at a place called Vidyanagar. The then Principal was Dr. Wagh who was later appointed the Director of Post Graduate Center of Bombay University, situated in Sushila Building, 18 June Road, Panjim. This college was shifted to the present location in 1972 and the Principal then was Prof P. S. Rege. The Buildings were inclined in shape narrower at the base and broader at the top and it was a kind of attraction of architecture which has undergone a change and modified later on. The Parvatibai Chowgule College, Shree Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, Shree Damodar Higher Secondary School Of Science and R.M.S Higher Secondary School. There are also ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) which impart technical education. Among professional colleges Don Bosco College of Engineering located at Fatorda and Govind Ramnath Kare College of Law offer degree courses in Engineering and Law respectively.
Transport
Air
The nearest airport to Margão is Dabolim Airport which is 23 km away from it.[18]
Rail
Madgaon railway station is Goa's biggest and busiest as it is a railway junction positioned at the intersection of the Konkan Railway and the South Western Railway. All trains stop at Margão. Hence it is used more commonly as a transit stop rather than a tourist destination by many people who either head off down south to Palolem (38 km) or to Benaulim and Colva which are about six kilometers away and are popular tourist destinations.
Margão hosted the test track for the Skybus Metro project,[19] an elevated rail system patented by the Konkan Railway Corporation,[20] which was scrapped due to an accident which occurred during the test drive killing one engineer and seriously injuring a crew of three.[21] However, Mr B Rajaram who had invented the rail system has stated that in his opinion, the accident was avoidable.[22]
Road
Margão is connected by road to other cities like Mangalore, Udupi, Bhatkal, Kumta, Karwar, Ratnagiri, and Mumbai through the National Highway 66 (NH66). Also, there is road which connects Margão to Ponda and other towns of Goa state.
Language
Konkani is the most widely spoken language in Margão. Portuguese is still spoken and understood by a small number of people. English and Hindi are also spoken and understood by the town's population. The dialect of Konkani in South Goa is different from that spoken in North Goa. Marathi is also spoken in a significant level. Most of the flower and vegetable merchants converse in Kannada.
Tourism
The town has many sights and destinations. These include the 'Closed' Market called, in the Portuguese language, Mercado de Afonso de Albuquerque or in Konkani as "Pimplapedd" or "Pimpalakatta," the municipal building (Câmara Municipal), the municipal garden, Anna Fonte (natural springs), Old Market or Mercado Velho, Holy Spirit Church, grand colonial mansions (especially the Seven Gables House near the church), the chapel at Monte Hill, the Hindu crematorium or 'Smashan' and the Muslim burial ground or 'Kabrasthan' both situated on Pajifond's Rua das Saudades.
Some of the town suburbs include Pajifond, Aquem, Gogol, Borda, Malbhat, Kharebandh, Old Market, Navelim and Comba, the last two being the oldest parts of the town.
There are a number of churches and temples in Margão, since the population is predominantly Hindu with a significant Roman Catholic and a very small Muslim minority. The famous churches in Margão are the Holy Spirit Church, the Grace Church, The St Sebastian Church in Aquem (The Old St. Sebastian Chapel, popularly known as the Pandava Copel still stands next to the modern St. Sebastian Church) and the Monte Hill Chapel, the famous temples are the 'Damodar Temple' (Saal), the 'Hari Mandir', the 'Maruti Mandir' at Davorlim the 'Saibaba Temple' at Davorlim, the 'Shiv Temple' (Ling) at Fatorda near Nehru Stadium (which is the original Temple of Damudora). There are 2 mosques in Margão, One in the Malbhat area and one on the Monte hill. Presently, since 2004, there are twenty-four new mosques in Margão. There is also a Jain temple at Pajifond.There is also a small Muslim community of Nizaris living in Margão.
Landmarks
The Margão Town Hall is situated in the heart of the town. Opposite to the town hall is the Margão Municipal Garden. The northern segment of the Margão municipal garden was developed by the Mavany family and is named after King Aga Khan who visited Goa just before its liberation. The entire garden is now municipal property and is maintained by the Margão Municipal Council. The Narcinva D. Naik residence, also known locally as Damodar Sal, played host to Swami Vivekananda during his visit to Goa in October 1892.[23] The mansion also houses Margão's well-known temple-hall "Dambaba Saal".
Culture
The town is also claimed as the cultural capital of Goa. A cultural center named 'Ravindra Bhavan' was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Goa, Digambar Kamat in July 2008 at Fatorda which is also an Official Venue For International Film Festival of India . It also has Goa's biggest sports stadium, the Nehru Stadium at Fatorda.[24] The Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan was held in 1964.[25]
Some of the theatres in Margão include the Gomant Vidya Niketan, OSIA Multiplex, Vishant and Lata; in addition to Goa's biggest theater, the Metropole. Inox has recently launched a multiplex with a capacity of 904 seats.The Gomat Vidya Niketan is a premier centre for arts in the town.
People from all over Goa congregate at the special market to buy spices and dried fish to be used during the oncoming rainy season.
The usual specialities that are found in the cuisine of Goa are also to be found in Margão. The curry of Margão is a praised local speciality. Cans of curry of Margão are currently exported to Portugal and elsewhere.
Margão is also the name of a brand of spices sold in Portugal.
Gallery
- Life in Margao
-
Margao, India -
Margao Crossing Guard -
Margao Municipal Building -
Rickshaw Stand -
Modern Margao -
Madgao Municipal Council Bldg -
New buildings under construction -
Portuguese House
-
Vendor at Margao Fish Market -
Can of curry from Margão, in Portugal -
Old and new Igreja de São Sebastião - St. Sebastian Church in Aquem -
Fish Market -
Casa de Saúde, Margao -
Street in Margao -
Margao Municipal Park -
Busy Margao Intersection -
Margao, India -
Margao Station Main Plataform -
Beach close to Margao -
Igreja do Espírito Santo, Holy Spirit Church, Margão -
Confidant House, Margao, west elevation. The building contains a library and bookshops. -
Margao, India -
Statue of Ram Manohar Lohia in Lohia Maidan
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See also
| Madgaon (MAO) | ||||
| Next 'Small' station towards Mumbai: Majorda |
Konkan Railway : Railway (India) | Next 'Small' station from Mangalore: Balli |
||
| Distance from Mumbai(CST) = 0765 KM | ||||
| Next 'Main' station towards Mumbai: Kudal |
Konkan Railway : Railway (India) | Next 'Main' station from Mangalore Karwar | ||
References
- ^ a b c d C. Chandramouli (2015) [2010–11], "Margao Urban Region", Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, Government of India, Census Organization of India
- ^ "Babita, Dorris elected unopposed in Margao", O Heraldo, 5 November 2015, retrieved 28 June 2017
- ^ Satoskar, B.D (1979). Gomantak: prakṛitī āṇi saṃskṛitī. Śubhdā-Sārasvat. p. 113.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Mitragotri, Vithal Raghavendra (1999). A socio-cultural history of Goa from the Bhojas to the Vijayanagara. Institute Menezes Braganza. pp. 151–152.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Hindu temples and deities" by Rui Gomes Pereira
- ^ "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D.Satoskar
- ^ "Father Of Goan Democracy". Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Madgaon, India Page", Falling Rain Genomics, Inc, retrieved 28 June 2017
- ^ Margao Population Census 2011 #Margao Religion Data 2011. 2011 Census of India (Report). Government of India. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- ^ C. Chandramouli (2015) [2010–11], "Goa State Tables" (PDF), Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, Government of India, Census Organization of India
- ^ BHATIKAR MODEL HIGH SCHOOL - education that empowers. Margao, Goa, India Archived 3 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ BHATIKAR MODEL HIGH SCHOOL - education that empowers. Margao, Goa, India Archived 30 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ About Us | Mahila & Nutan English High School
- ^ Welcome to iSchool
- ^ St Joseph High School, Margao (GOA)
- ^ "Airports Authority of India". Aai.aero. 21 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Skybus page from konkanrailway.com
- ^ Patent of Skybus from konkanrailway.com
- ^ Accident details. Hindu.com (2004-12-23). Retrieved on 2012-04-27.
- ^ ACD article 20 July 2010. Docs.google.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-27.
- ^ News article from Archived 29 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine. goacom.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-27.
- ^ Cricinfo page on Nehru Stadium. Content-usa.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-27.
- ^ Rediff On The NeT: Kusumagraj dies at 87
External links
Margao travel guide from Wikivoyage- Hospital in Margão – Apollo Hospital
- Tourist information about Margão
- Photographs of the life in Margão
Localities in and around Margao | ||
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