Margao

Margao is the second largest city by population, and the commercial and cultural capital of the Indian state of Goa. It is the administrative headquarters of Salcete taluka and South Goa district. The city quietly rests at the banks of River Sal and is known to be one of the oldest settlements in Goa. Before the invasion of the Portuguese Margao was a Matha gram, a land with nine monastic endowments of the Hindus. The first site of colonization in Margao was around the ancient temple of Shiva in the form of Lord Damodar. The temple was then demolished and now a church stands on the very site of the temple. The urbanization of the city took place because of the dependence of the nearby villages and towns and hence the current market came into existence. The town hence derives its name by the locals calling it Maud-gao or the market city of Goa.

Margao or Madgaon as it is called was an important agricultural and religious centre in medieval times, when farms surrounded it and dharamshalas and rich temples graced the town. The 17th century Portuguese conquistadors destroyed many of the Hindu temples, but the Catholic churches survive, giving Margao a decidedly Portuguese flavour, and an old world charm.