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Calangute is situated on the shores of the Arabia Sea in North Goa and encircled by the villages of Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim, in the Bardez taluk. Calangute covers several sub-beaches, including Baga and Anjuna beaches. The beach and the fishing village was a favorite hideout of the hippies in the 70's and 80's. It was the hippies who discovered this pristine beach in the late 60s. Today, Calangute beach symbolise Goa's reputation as a haven for beach lovers. Calangute was not the original name of the beach, but a Portuguese distortion of the originally Goan name of "Koli Gutti", which means the land of the fishermen. Some people refer to it as Kolyianguttti, Kalangutti (village of art) Kolngutt, Kongott or Konvallo-ghott ( pit of the coconut tree) because of the abundance of coconut trees found here.
On the way to the beach there is a statue of Bandodkar, Goa's first chief minister. The Kerkar Art Complex, located on the beach is a popular center for exhibitions of arts and crafts of local artistes. Concerts of Indian classical music and dance are held on Thursdays and Fridays here. On the road to Mapusa (8km) stands Calangute's Church, St Alex with its unusual dome and two towers. The interior is beautiful with its architecture and the gold and white ornate altar with shell niches.
Places To Eat There are plenty of good places to eat and drink. Beach shacks are mostly simple semi open aired, palm leafed huts, which specializes in sea food. All serve cold beer. Reggies Bar and Golden Eye are good shacks. |