Welcome
to South India and experience the untouched delightful South by invasions throughout
its history. South India and the Indian heritage is more intact here than in other
regions of the country. This is a land of temples, a land of the devoutees.
Mapusa
(pronounced as Mapsa by the locals) is Goa's third largest town and the capital
of the northern Bardez taluka. It is mainly a market town for the surrounding
beach areas of Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna and Baga among others. Even its
name is thought to be derived from the Konkani word for a measure - "map"
and the phrase fill up - "sa".
It is a fairly small town with mostly modern building spread around the slopes
of a small hillock called Altinho. It lies about 13 kms from the capital city
of Panaji and on most days there is hardly anything to entice the casual visitor
to its environs.
But come Friday morning, the whole town has a lively look when the famous
weekly Friday Market begins. The market attracts people from all over Goa
who come here to buy and sell their wares. Everything from fresh and dried
fish, incense, spices, fruits and vegetables to souvenirs from other states
of India is available here.
Local Goan specialities such as spicy sausages (chouriços) and the
Goan spirits such as toddi and cashew feni are much in demand amongst locals
and outsides. Another item to look out for is the magnificent banana crop
from the nearby village of Moira. Most of the items are sold after a few rounds
of bargaining and the prices are usually much lower than anywhere else.
Most of the items are piled up in heaps on the sidewalks, with most of the
vendors being colourfully dressed womenfolk from the nearby villages who come
here to sell their produce. The market also draws a large number of foreign
tourists from the nearby beach areas who come here to stock up on their provisions.
Mapusa
(pronounced as Mapsa by the locals) is Goa's third largest town and the capital
of the northern Bardez taluka. It is mainly a market town for the surrounding
beach areas of Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna and Baga among others. Even its
name is thought to be derived from the Konkani word for a measure - "map"
and the phrase fill up - "sa". 
