GOA

Mapusa Market, Maya Lake, Nanus Fort 

A famous market and fondly known as ‘Mapusa Friday Market’ as it is taken place every Friday. This is fully crowded and lively being loaded with wide variety shopping, as every inch of place is booked by sellers given a very little space for buyers to move since regular stalls are booked with temporary mats and boards.

You’ll find all kind of requirements from lottery stalls to barbers shops, fruits stalls to vegetable stalls, there is fish street as well as dry fish stalls with all kinds of fish. 

You’ll find all types of fruits and as well as vegetables, attractively displayed some of them being Moira Bananas, Mangoes, Chikkus, Watermelons, pumpkins, cabbage well depending on seasons. There is also a spice street and bakery section.

Different types of handicrafts made of coir, clothes stalls, glass bangles, sausages, channa baskets, meat market are added features of the Mapusa Market. Every place you’ll find bars and restaurants or tea stalls serving refreshments.

Maya Lake also known as Mayem Lake is situated in Mayem in the Bicholim taluka of North Goa. It is a popular tourist spot in Goa for boating. The beautiful Maya lake is located 7 kms from the Saptakoteshwar Temple and is a famous picnic spot for the locals of Goa and tourists alike. On the roadside there are vendors dealing in Goan handicrafts and refreshments boasting of delicious coconut water.

When visiting the Mayem Lake, a trip to the famous Chamundi temple at Piligao is worth a visit. The image of the Chamunda goddess was originally brought from a temple in Goa Velha which was ruined by the invasions of the Muslim ruler, Malik Kafur in 1312. This temple is very old, although having been rebuilt a number of times. The temple tank is quite large and in its centre is a platform stone with ancient carvings. 

The crossroads leading from here proceeds towards the Mayem Lake. It leads through a beautiful and natural array of cashew trees surrounding hills and valleys, areca nut palm trees with betel leaves and pineapple plantations. An occasional glimpse towards the coast, one can see the capital of Panjim with the Mandovi River in the far distance. Nanus or Nanuz Fort is located in the Satari taluka of North Goa. It is now in ruins but is known as a historical fort that was built in the seventeenth century. 

The Nanus fort is known to be built by Shivaji. However it was later snatched by the Portuguese. During the revolts in the earlier times it was used as a military base by Dipaji Rane after he captured it.

During the reign of the Ranes also the Nanus fort was again captured by soldiers from Quepem, along with those from Panaji barracks.

Today however one can only see the ruins of the fort. The place can be reached by bike or taxi but inorder to reach the fort one has to climb a small hillock. Valpoi is the nearest place one can visit.