ALSO INCLUDES THE TIPS / SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE AND WHAT TO BUY
Tourist comes to Goa to see the beauty of the Goa and spend their quality time in the midst of the nature which is also called second heaven on the earth” the following statement is true and is written in every tourist information book but today things are changing, Goa is becoming more commercial compared to its olden golden days. Goa is the land of tropical paradise. Every year almost thousands of foreign and domestic tourists pack their bags and head straight to Goa for unlimited fun. For every travelers visiting Goa the journey remains incomplete without spending quite an amount in shopping. Tourists pick up souvenir item to make their trip memorable and special. Shopping is a priority for every traveler visiting this magnificent paradise.
The travelers also love to shop for traditional Goan items. Two of the most famous such market areas are Mapusa and Anjuna. The Friday Market at Mapusa, where stalls sell everything from curios and old coins to dried fish and spices. The Wednesday Market at Anjuna Beach spot where souvenirs, beachwear, trinkets and handicrafts are sold at bargain prices.
There are so many fascinating options in the lifestyle and fashion shops which have come up in recent times. Some of these are located in fabulous old Goan houses which have been painstakingly restored. These shops make the best selections in home styling and fashion available to the tourists at quite reasonable prices.
For traveler to Goa, the visit is not complete unless they take back a souvenir of their memorable sojourn in this magnificent paradise. Naturally, shopping should be a priority on the itinerary of every tourist, along with the sightseeing attractions.
The excellent local handicrafts of Goa are easily the most popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mâché, etc. these are available in the government Emporia and also at shops and stalls near the popular tourist spots.
Another item which is on the list of every traveler to Goa is a pack of the famed cashew nuts. These are available practically everywhere. There are shops specializing in selling only cashew nuts. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes ranging from plain, salted and masala. The prices vary based on the quality and flavor.
It is also a fascinating experience to go around and shop in the traditional markets of the Goan towns and villages. These markets are a mirror of Goa’s ethnic culture and provide a glimpse of the typical Goan way of doing business.
The charms of shopping in Goa lies in bargaining to your heart’s content in markets and shops until you finally bring down the price and make the purchase a worthwhile experience.
Here I would like to provide a general list of what and where you can buy in Goa
Real silk – cotton and silk summer and beach clothes – tea (it’s better to buy it in the duty- free shop in gift wrappings) – Ayurvedic goods (herbal shampoos, cosmetic creams, etc.) – spice – local alcohol (Feni, Rum and whisky are inexpensive and the quality is good) – various souvenirs (wooden and stone elephants, figures of Hindu gods, hand- made blankets, bags, pillowcases and lampshades of original Indian design) – CDs with local traditional music.
The initial price you will hear will be quite high, you are expected to bargain, that’s a local tradition be it any time of shopping Goa offers bargaining at its best. One has to be an expert in haggling prices to make your buy profitable and economical. Goa tourism generated a huge amount of revenue from this shopping spree. Thousands of foreign tourists buy the stuffs readily Goa is well known for its wine called “Fenny”. Other popular shopping items include colorful sarongs and cotton beachwear, colorful floral printed shirts, skirts and frocks. Embroidered bags, handicrafts made of beads, cheap and beautiful artifacts of paper Mache, silver and junk jewelry, various types of cuisines, spices and woodwork are also picked up by the travelers.
Goa markets reflect a true picture of Goa’s cosmopolitan and contemporary lifestyle. Enjoy your shopping and be alert about the prices. Bargain your heart out and shop for every popular item. Do remember that the charm of Goan shopping remains the look and feel of a small town. People are laid back and life is unhurried, so don’t hurry while shopping. After all the night and beaches makes a perfect finale to your exciting shopping spree.
Goa is known for its lively Flea markets and you should not forget to mention these flea markets in your tour plan. Many bigger villages of Goa are home to weekly bazaars, which attract visitors from far and wide. The most famous bazaars are the Anjuna Flea market and Saturday Night Markets at Anjuan and Arpora.
# 1 – Anjuna Flea Wednesday Market:
Set up by the Hippies in the 1980’s for selling their disposable belonging, today, it has expanded into a full-fledged Market. Located in the low-lying areas of the Anjuna Beach, the market offers an unusual mix of native and hippies competing to sell their goods. You will find everything on sale, from jewellery to linen, electronic goods to motorbikes, Balinese batik, handicrafts and paintings, mirror worked waistcoats and Thai trousers. Here, at Anjuna the shops offer an eclectic choice but just don’t forget to bargain. If luck is on your side, you can return home with a motorbike, a camera or a watch bought at an unimaginably low price. Anjuna Flea Market is open every Wednesday from 10.30 am – 6.30 pm, Ingo’s Saturday Night Market.
# 2 – The Saturday Night Markets:
Ingo’s Saturday Night Market at Arpora is more exciting and famous than Anjuna Wednesday Flea market. Here, the live music played by the local bands, the riot of Color and light, exotic drinks and delectable foods offered by the bars, make your shopping experience much more of a night out. In these markets, you will find a mix of local and foreign vendors. Items which you can buy here are incense sticks, jewellery, handmade shoes, T- shirts, lampshades, miniature statues; bags etc. further, the fortune-tellers and tattoo bars add extra fun and drama to the lively atmosphere. The Saturday night markets are open from 7 pm to 1 am, between the months of November to March.
# 3 – Friday Bazaar at Mapusa :
Although you will find that some of the goods sold here are similar to the Anjuna market, but the market offers a totally different experience. In Friday Bazaar, vendors are locals and gypsy ladies called Lamanis. You can buy a variety of fresh ground masala, spices, dry fish, fruit, vegetables, Feni, sausages, Urrack and cashews. Other items sold here are the leather goods, handicrafts, ceramics, linen and bamboo products. Some regular shops that constitute the Mapusa Municipal Market, sell antique lamps, mirrors, bottles and regular clothing. The Friday Bazaar is open from 8am – 7pm, only on Fridays.
# 4 – Beachside Shopping Goa :
Popularly known as “the beach paradise” is home to some of the finest beaches of the world. The Goan beaches are not only known for their pristine beauty, but they are also famous as the centre of various leisure activities, shopping is one of them. In reality, every road in Goa leads to a beach and at every end of it, you will find small and big shops selling everything, from handicrafts to traditional Goan items, popular Goan T-Shirts, sarongs and many other souvenirs. Among the beachside shopping centres, Baga Candolim – Calangute stretch is the most popular. Shopping in the latter part of the day can be quite exciting on this beach stretch. Items which you can buy here are handicrafts, jewellery, sun glassed, goggles, spectacles, light metal figurines, sculptures, semi-precious stone rings and bracelets. Also, on this beach stretch, you will find restaurants, cafes and juice bars serving the delectable. Goan as well as Chinese and Thai cuisine.
# 5 – Goan Handicraft’s APARANT :
Goa does not lag behind as far as local arts and crafts are concerned and with the superb craftsmanship of the local artisans has managed to carve out a niche for itself in this highly competitive field.
Aparant promotes Goan art and Crafts, which provides to hundreds of local artisans. Since time immemorial Goan Handicrafts like Lacquer ware, Azulejos tiles, painting, crouched, carved wooden items, jute items, paper machine, brassware, coconut items, shell items, terracotta, etc. have reinforced the Goan tradition. Support the cause and visit our Aparant showrooms conveniently located in all the prominent towns and cities of Goa.
It can be said that artistic talent virtually runs in Goan blood, which is manifested, in many artistic crafts that have attained commercial proportions over the years. Local artists make excellent souvenirs from a wide range of materials. These items are crafted by professional artisans in their ethnic ambience in the rural areas, and also by artisans working at the arts and crafts complexes run by the government. The products are sold through various handicraft emporia and at stalls at all the major tourist spots. The art and craft of Goa is the product of the aesthetic blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures.
The crafts of the state are intricately beautiful, capturing the fancies of tourists and locals alike. These crafts are a mirror of Goa’s perennial beauty and they have won critical acclaim of the connoisseurs of the art world. Goan lace is here, as are colorful masks, cotton bags, wooden toys and the excellent shopping bags and table mats woven from sisal or banana, coconut or pineapple fiber. The Goa Handicrafts, Rural & Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (GHRSSIDC), a Government of Goa undertaking, set up in 1980 performs the role of encouraging, promoting and marketing the myriad of Goan handicrafts by making these items available through its various produced under this banner are………….
# 1 – Pottery & Terracotta:
These are traditional crafts with utility-cum-decorative items produced by the potters with artistic perfection and realistic finish. The items produced with this craft include flower garden pots, bowls with floral designs, figures of Saints, Gods’ and Goddesses’ and animals, ashtrays and penholders, etc.
# 2 – Wooden Lacquer ware/ Wood Turning:
Some of the most exquisite items produced in Goan woodcraft include cradles, baby carts, toys, corner stands, etc. which are used mostly by Hindu families on religious occasions.
# 3 – Crochet & Embroidery:
Works such as tablecloths, children and ladies garments, pillow and cushion covers, linen form a breathtaking apparel range.
# 4 – Bamboo Craft:
One of the major crafts industries of Goa. The list of popular Bamboo products include flower baskets, mats, and letter-holders, pen stands, fans and other decorative items.
# 5 – Fibre Craft:
Shopping bags, ladies purses, coasters and wall hangings, and other essential accessory items used in daily purposes are made of banana or sisal fiber and the major fiber craft centre is situated in Corlim.
# 6 – Jute Macramé Craft:
Jute craft is known to be one of the most unique crafts of India and items such as decorative bags, belts, wall hangings, lamp shades, flower pots, hangers, etc are popular Goan souvenirs.
# 7 – Coconut Mask Carving & Sea Shell Craft:
Mask carving has got a whole new look in Goa as it is done on coconut shells. Sea shell craft produces ashtrays, lamp shades, coasters, chandeliers, curtains, pot hangers, table mats, clocks, mirror frame, etc.
Here I end this article with the note to bring to you the next article on important tips & tricks for making your shopping experience worthwhile in Goa.
