Margao



Margao, India is popular for being the commercial capital of the state of Goa in India. The city is also the second biggest city of the state and houses a population of about 80,000 people.

Margao serves as the government headquarters of the district of South Goa and also the Salcete taluka.

Etymology of the word Margao



The word Margao originated from the Portuguese language and the word is frequently used in the English language as well. The word has been originated from the expression Mathagram which stands for an area with a matha or a monastery. The word is articulated as "Mut" and the noise is like the expression "Hut". Mutt is a sacred area where a spiritual community known as "Mathgram" takes care of it.



Geographical features of Margao



The city of Margao lies at 15.30° North and 73.95° East. The mean altitude of the area is 102 feet or 31 meters.

Situated on the riverbanks of the famous Sal River, the city of Margao is one of the earliest documented townships in the state of Goa. The place is mostly popular for the colossal Portuguese pattern residences which speckle the entire territory of the place.

Why is Margao famous?



The city is famous because it is one of the fastest developing cities in the state and is home to various neighborhoods like Fatorda, Aquem, Borda, Gogol, Davorlim, and Comba.

Situated in Sonsodo, the Manovikas High School is one of the leading ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) schools in the state. Other popular schools and academic institutes in the place are as follows:
  • Presentation Convent (for girls)
  • St. Joseph High School at Aquem
  • Fatima Convent (for girls) in the vicinity of Old Bus Stand.
The city also houses some of the famous colleges in Goa such as the following:
  • Shri Damodar College of Commerce and Economics
  • Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule Cultural Foundations College of Arts and Science
  • Shree Damodar Higher Secondary School of Science
The city is also home to Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) which offer technical education.

Transportation in Margao



The most significant and largest railway station in the state of Goa is the Margao Railway Station. This railway station is situated at the meeting point of the South Western Railway and Konkan Railway. Nearly every train moving across Goa halts at this station and the place acts as the entrance to Southern Goa. As a result of this, the city is typically used as a transportation hub instead of a tourist spot. Travelers who visit places like Colva and Benaulim (approximately six km away from the place) or Palolem (about 38 km from the place) often use Margao as a transportation point.

National Highway 17 or NH-17 connects the following places with Margao:
  • Udupi
  • Mangalore
  • Ratnagiri
  • Karwar
  • Mumbai
Roadways also link Margao to other places in the state of Goa such as Ponda.

Languages spoken in Margao



The most extensively spoken language in the city is Konkani. Other important languages used in the territory are as follows:
  • Marathi
  • Portuguese
  • Hindi
  • English
It is noticed that the Konkani language used in North Goa is dissimilar from that of South Goa. The type of Konkani dialect used in the city is regarded as the original Konkani.

Tourism in Margao



There are many things to do and see in the city of Margao. Popular tourist attractions in the city include the following:
  • "Closed' Market" or "Pimpalakatta" or "Pimplapedd" in Konkani and Mercado de Afonso de Albuquerque (in the Portuguese dialect)
  • The municipal garden
  • The municipal building (Camara)
  • Mercado Velho or Old Market
  • Anna Fonte (natural springs)
  • Impressive regal residences (particularly the Seven Gables House close to the church)
  • Margao City Hall
  • "Kabrasthan" or the Muslim cemetery
  • And the Hindu crematory or "Smashan", both located on Rua das Saudades, Pajifond.
Churches
  • Holy Spirit Church
  • The Grace Church
  • The Monte Hill Chapel
  • The St Sebastian Church in Aquem
Temples
  • The Hari Mandir
  • Damodar Temple
  • Saibaba Temple
  • Maruti Mandir
  • Jain Temple, Pajifond
  • Shiv Temple

Last Updated on 02 November 2011