The Guardian Deity of Mapusa, Goa In the bustling town of Mapusa in North Goa, one deity holds a special place in the hearts of local residents — Lord Bodgeshwar, widely revered as the guardian deity of Mapusa. For generations, devotees have believed that Lord Bodgeshwar protects the town and Read more
In Maharashtra, just as kat (soup) accompanies matki usal (moth bean curry), similarly in Goa, saar (a type of soup) is made to go with mugagathi (a sprouted moong bean dish). The difference is that this saar is completely satvik, meaning it’s prepared without onion or garlic. Dishes like mugagathi, mugachi usal, mugache saar, and khatkhate are typically made during festivals or Read more
Goa’s Traditional Dish, Mugagathi In Goa, no religious or traditional ceremony is complete without a meal that includes the staple dish called Mugagathi, which is essentially a thin sprouted moong bean curry. The unique feature of this dish is that the moong beans used must be sprouted and peeled. Ingredients Read more
On the road right in front of the main entrance of the Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol, to the right as you exit the temple, stands Hotel Mahalasa. A small hotel, yet the crowd it attracts speaks volumes about the uniqueness of the food served here. While the dishes offered Read more
Navratri is celebrated in unique and fascinating ways across different regions of India. While West Bengal is famous for its grand Durga Puja celebrations and Gujarat for its vibrant Garba, Goa celebrates Navratri with a distinctive tradition known as Makharotsav. This beautiful festival is observed in numerous temples across Goa, Read more
Since childhood, Ganapati has been a beloved deity for people of all ages! While there are numerous temples dedicated to Ganapati in Goa, the most famous among them is the Mahaganapati Temple in Khandola. Located on the road from Marcel to Savoi-Verem in Ponda Taluka. The path leading to the Read more
Traditional Goan Patolyo Recipe Certain dishes have traditionally become associated with particular festivals. These food-and-festival combinations vary from region to region because every region has its own special traditional dishes. Goa too has several unique traditional recipes, and some of these dishes are closely associated with specific festivals. For example, Read more
Mugachi Usal is another traditional dish from Goan vegetarian cuisine. However, the moong beans used for this recipe must be sprouted. Sprouted moong beans are considered more important in Goan vegetarian meals compared to other legumes. Various dishes such as mugachi usal, mugagathi, and mugache saar are made using sprouted Read more
The Importance of Monsoon Vegetables in Goa While fish is a staple in the Goan diet, Goans also enjoy vegetarian food with equal enthusiasm. Be it traditional or seasonal, the variety of vegetarian dishes in Goan cuisine is quite extensive. With the arrival of the monsoon each year, there’s a Read more
From the beginning of the monsoon season until Ganesh Chaturthi, a large cucumber known as “Tavashe” is available in Goa. There are two types of this cucumber: one with a yellowish-green colour and the other with a pale green colour. A traditional Goan dish made from this cucumber is called Read more