Many may not know this but the people in Goa are very attached to their villages. Though tourism has caught up and all the villages are being converted into commercial hubs to cater to the tourists, the Goans still try to keep their village culture in tact. All this comes out very clearly in a recreated village called 'Ancestral Goa'. It is in Loutolim.
ANCESTRAL GOA IN LOUTOLIM
Ancestral Goa, the recreated village at Loutolim, clearly depicts the life in a village in Goa. You will find many examples of Goan handicrafts at this village. Do spend some time examining the furniture and other artifacts displayed in the reception cottage, including the reclining chair and the palanquin. They set the tone of the way of life that is virtually a thing of the past. The landlord of the village exercised the sort of authority that the Lord of the Manor did in England once upon a time. Here, in Goa, however, their authority was restricted by the democratic conventions that had existed for countless generations. The Goan village was a self-contained entity and if any family stepped too far out of line, the social system would put it back into its ordained place. Custom and tradition had a stronger hold than money; and the Goan church was the great arbiter.
Thus, in Ancestral Goa, the Sant Khuris, the white cross, reminds all inhabitants that the rule of God and the authority of His church must be respected. And when you enter the Mansion of Donna Maria in Goa, the landlady, you'll find an altar inside. Here, the family priest offered Mass, his presence also underscoring the status of the landlord. A further assertion of the landlord's position in the village is the fact that the mansion has been clearly patterned on traditional Portuguese architecture: it bears the imprint of the overlords!
In contrast to the mansion is Joao's House roofed with tiles and with a small verandah in front. Near it is the Taverna which served much the same function that a pub does today. Tavernas are still very much a part of the Goan scene. In most Goan villages, in the past the gin-like feni was locally brewed. In Ancestral Goa, visitors can walk round a mocked-up bhatti or distillery which shows the family at work used cashew as its main ingredient. Cashew feni and fried seafood go well together, so you should also visit the hut of some of the fishermen. They are very humble dwelling built on a wooden frame and thatched with coconut fronds. Finally, there is the 'downtown' area of the village: the Tinto or market square. Here the fishwives, the farmers, the homesteaders, potters and peddlers of trinkets assemble to sell their produce to the villagers.
Shri Bhagavati - 28 Km in Pernem. The Temple, situated by the side of the main road, is said to be more than 500 years old. Two life size images of elephants in standing position made of black stone, on either side at the entrance welcome visitiors. The Goddess Bhagavati Ashtabhuja in a standing position on a high pedestal is very imposing. The Dussehra is celebrated with gaiety from Ashvin Shuddha Pratipada to Poornima, when over 25 thousand devotees assemble at the temple.
Shri Ramnath - 33 km in Ponda Taluka. Besides the shrine of the main Ramnath deity it has four small temples of Shri Laxminarayan, Shri Shantadurga (Sateri), Shri Betal and Shri Sidhanath. The five together, constitute Shri Ramnath Panchayatan. The legend in mythology says that Rameshwar is the original abode of Lord Ramnath.
Shri Mahalsa - At Mardol, 1 km from Shri Manguesh Temple. The deity worshipped is an attribute of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between Devas and (Asuras). Main festivals - Zatra (February) and Navartra.
Shri Saunsthan Goudpadachrya Kavle Math-This Math is brilliant heritage of God Saraswat Smarth Community with branches all over India. This Math situated at Kavalem, in Ponda Taluka is named after historic seer and exponent of the Adwaita system of Vedanta.
Besides these, a list, of temples in Goa can be made including Shri Gomanteshwar Devasthan at Brahmapuri, Shri Kamakshi Sausthan at Shiroda, Temple of Shri Mahadeva at Tambdi Surla, Shri Navdurga at Madkai, Sapteshwar-Bhagvati Temple at Mandrem, Shri Shantadurga - Kavlem and many more. Though influenced by the style of Maratha temple architecture coz portugese were initially on good terms with local Hindus & the nearby Vijayanagar kingdom. Also to some extent influence of Islamic & Christian elements, styles in these temples have been synthesized to produce a purely distinctive idiom of Hindu architecture. Several temples have Islamic domes, while the plan of the structure is often similar to Christian architectural patterns.
Villages in Goa 