| The coastal village of Anjuna is, by far, north Goa’s most popular place after Calangute. The village has, however, become famous for the wrong reasons.
Few are aware that far from being just a paradise for ravers and pill poppers this village has a rich historical background. The word ‘Anjuna’ itself is derived from the Arabic word ‘Hanjuman’ which translates into ‘Chamber of commerce’. Anjuna was once upon a time an important trading post for the Arabs in India.
The village was later ceded to the Portuguese by the Bijapur sultans in 1543. Anjuna has produced a series of outstanding personalities, But the most famous of them probably the Venerable Fr. Angelo. Fr. Angelo Gustav De souza was born in this village and later joined the Missionary Society of Pilar where he earned a name for himself.
Where historical monuments are concerned, two buildings stand out: One is the church of ST. Michael and the other is the Albuquerque Mansion. ST. Michael’s church was first established in 1603 and later rebuilt on a grander scale in 1613.
The Albuquerque Mansion is often called the ‘pride of Anjuna’. This palatial house was built by Dr. Manuel Albuquerque, an expatriate Goan who served as a doctor in the kingdom of Zanzibar.
The best day to visit Anjuna is on a Wednesday so that you can catch the weekly flea market. This huge popular market was initially begun by broke foreign travelers who sold their personal belongings and other trinkets and goods in order to collect enough money for the journey home.
Today this vibrant and colourful market has not only foreigners but also Goans, Tibetrans, Kahsmiris and Rajasthanis jostling for space to sell their little curios, clothes and other odds and ends. The air vibrates with four or five different trance songs beings played, by rival stalls, at the same time. Don’t be surprised to find the Lamani woman speaking almost perfect English with a hint of Cockney accent.
Timings: The market opens at about 8 in the morning and carries on until 7 in the evening. The best time to visit is early in the morning and late in the evening when the sun is not shining so brigtly.
How do you get there: Taxis will take you there for a price, albeit a high one. You can catch a bus to Anjuna from Arpora or Mapusa but be prepared to walk a bit because the buses do not go all the way to the market. The best way to travel to Anjuna flea market is by boat. You can catch a boat going to Anjuna from the Baga beach
NOTE: Watch out for your belongings.
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