Calangute
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Calangute is a prominent coastal village and beach tourism centre in Goa, India. It is placed about 13 km from Panaji, the capital of Goa. There are many hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops there. Baga beach, Candolim beach, Coco beach and Aguad fort are the major places of interest around. Calangute beach is also one of the most crowded beaches in Northern Goa, with many European tourists coming there around Christmas and the New Year's. Calangute is famous for its fine sand.
DESTINATION FACTORS
Calangute lies on the coast of North Goa at the shores of the Arabian Sea in India. It is located 15 minutes away from Panaji which is the capital city of Goa. Calangute is one of the most popular beaches. It is influenced by culture, entertainment, media, fashion, sport and the arts.
Main tourist tows and cities Calangute is not a main town or city but it has got towns like Candolim, Mapusa and Panaji close to it. These are also the main towns of Goa. Calangute has many small shops where people can buy clothes, Tibetan market where people can buy different kinds of gems and silverwork, wooden statues of the Buddha's and Hindu idols. There is also called as Saturday night bazaar which is put up every Saturday where people can buy fish, meat, grocery, textiles, earthenware, household articles and other provisions.
Coastal/seaside areas Calangute beach is perfect beach for almost everyone. People can relax and enjoy water sports as well. The beach offers sun, sand and sea for its people. There are also many shacks and stalls along the shore where people can buy food and drink. Trinkets and show pieces made of sea shells are sold along the beach. There many other beaches which lie close to the Calangute beach like Baga beach, Candolim beach, Anjuna beach and Aguada beach.
Purpose built resorts and attractions The Kerkar Art Complex is a popular centre for exhibitions of arts and crafts of local artistes. In Kerkar Art Complex on Thursdays and Fridays there are special Indian classical music and dance concerts taking place.
Natural and rural areas Springs at Mottant along the cashew-covered foothills is an ideal spot for picnics and bathing, as the water is believed to be medicinal. There are small regions in Calangute named Agarvaddo is an area full of beautiful saltpans, Maddavaddo is full of coconut trees and Dongorpur which is hilly region contains cashew plantations.
Historical and cultural areas The Church of St Alex is a magnificent church of Calangute. The church looks very nice from outside and it also has beautiful alters. St. Anthony’s chapel in Calangute is located in the middle of the road which splits the road into directions. Fort Aguada is an old preserved fort which lies on the banks of Arabian Sea on Sinquerim beach close to Calangute beach. It was once upon owned and built by the Portuguese. The fort was then converted into central jail but now it is converted into a resort with number of villas and cottages for the tourist to stay. There is also a four-storey light house to the fort.
Business areas As Calangute is one of the most crowded beaches in the northern Goa it has many tourist hotels. As people come here for relaxing, enjoying and for fun, the owners of hotels, restaurants, pubs or clubs make good profit out of it. Calangute has a good nightlife and that’s why even the clubs make good money. There are many hotels which provide business facilities ideal for them.
GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS
Topography Calangute is located on the bank of Arabian Sea. It is mainly a beach area but it also has some hilly regions named Dongorpur which are covered with cashew plantations. Calangute is famous for its fine sand. Maddavaddo in Calangute is full of coconut trees.
Oceanography Calangute forms its beaches with Arabian Sea which provides salty water to it. There are also many saltpans in Calangute in a region named Agarvaddo. There are springs at Mottant which offer fresh clean water which is also believed to be medicinal.
Climate Calangute lies in the tropical zone and has a moderate climate which remains almost the same through out the year. May is the hottest month (24°C to 32.7°C) while December is the coolest (21.3°C to 32.2°C). During summer it is quite hot and humid but since it is located on the banks of the sea there is always wind blowing towards the land. During winter the days are hot as usual but the nights are very cold. Rainfall usually occurs from June to October almost up to 320 cm and rest of the months of the year are dry.
Climate Chart for Calangute:
Calangute Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rainfall(mm) 5 5 6 23 100 76 98 124 160 140 30 10 Rainfall(inches) 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.9 3.9 2.9 3.8 4.8 6.2 5.5 1.1 0.3 Min Temp(°C) 19 17 23 25 27 25 24 24 24 23 22 21 Max Temp(°C) 32 32 32 33 32 31 29 29 29 31 33 32 Min Temp(°F) 66 63 73 77 81 77 75 75 75 73 72 70 Max Temp(°F) 90 90 90 91 90 88 84 84 84 88 91 90
CULTURAL FACTORS
Customs Calangute is a home of goan cuisine. Fish-curry-rice remains the popular food of Calangute. ‘Sarpotel’ (a spicy dish made of liver of pork with gravy), ‘chourissa’ (pork sausages) and xacuti (chicken with gravy) are some of the famous dishes of Calangute. Sea food and fish cooked with spicy masala are found in every restaurant in Calangute. Sanna are rice cupcakes soaked in toddy before cooking are mostly prepared for every feasts and dodol and bebinca are special Christmas sweets. Feni is the most popular drink of Calangute which is made from the liquors of coconut and cashew. Wine and hard drinks are also easily available almost everywhere in Calangute. Ladies of Calangute wear frocks and sarees. Men wear shirts, pants and even kurtas.
Religion Most of the people of Calangute follow Christianity. Hinduism is another religion followed by the people and a very few number of people follow Islam. Calangute contains St. Alex Church and St’ Anthony’s chapel. It also has a Hindu temple.
Cultural differences Most of the people of Calangute speak Konkani. Other languages like Marathi, Hindi and English are also spoken. ‘Hello’ in Konkani is said as ‘Namaskaaru’, in Marathi it is said as ‘Namaskar’ and in Hindi it is said as ‘Namaste’.
Religious festivals and cultural events The feast of St. Alex is celebrated on 8th of December every year with followed with fire works, dances and fairs along the streets. Feast of St. Anthony is celebrated in June. Similarly Christmas, New Year and Easter are also celebrated. Carnival is celebrated every year in Calangute at the end of the month February. There is a great nightlife in Calangute with pubs and clubs opened whole till the next sunrise. Manddo is the traditional dance of Calangute. Parasailing, water skiing and wind surfing are sports activities commonly practised at the beach. Crocodile and dolphin spotting are also enjoyed.
