Verna – a village of rich culture, tradition and history, 19.5 kms. from Panjim city, in salcete taluka, south Goa, is well known for its natural scenic beauty. Besides the ‘Titan’ industrial area we explore much much more of the village.
We start with the historic place of the village – the ‘Old Mardol’ temple and the historic place were the first Holy mass was held in salcete taluka in south Goa. Our guide explains you in detail the age old history.
One of the experiences we give to you in this village is an entry in a natural, animal made cave. We make all the necessary arrangement for you’ll to have this unique experience. It’s not men made or artificially made as you find in other tourist destinations. A nature experience you’ll have.
After somewhat tiring walk through the cave, and the vegetable fruit garden tour, we then explore the natural scenic beauty of this village. The Patna zor (Patna Spring) which have the flow of water from under the ground and water gushing down through trees, plants and herbs. It is interesting to listen to our guide explaining to you the medicinal purpose of this natural water for the hair and the eyes. Its not artificially made but the flow is 24/7 and 365 days, in which the flow is heavy during the rains. A perfect place for natural water crabs. You can refresh yourself in this natural water flow and here you are served a local Goan mid-day nourishing snack the Pez with chepnnechem tor. It is served in the old traditional way in a Matul (earthen vessel) and the place is not restaurant or hotel but the Patna zor. Just being one with the nature.
A little drive down the south of the village we visit our friend Francis Xavier Fernandes, a toddy tapper, who explains and demonstrate us the process of toddy tapping work. Toddy tapping is a rich old traditional profession of Goa. And offers you fresh toddy just brought down from the coconut tree. He also explains us the process how natural vinegar is made of the toddy and maddamchi fenni (a local drink) is made. A man who have 38 years of experience in this field and who climbs 30 coconut trees, three time a day i.e. early morning, afternoon and late in the evening explains you all this.
Other age old professions of the village are also demonstrated in this exposure. Bamboo pantules, supam, kondde are few to mention.
Verna village which is well known for its highway sale of local agricultural products are explained and visited. Kidney beans, tied onions, vinegar, toddy and seasonal fruits like caju/bibe, ponnos, chunnam, charam, kandam are shown and given for taste. Our guide gives detailed explanation of these local products.
Well, for lunch we have the local Goan food served in local old traditional Goan way. The menu – local grown boiled rice, curry with dried prawns, kismur (dried prawn salad) salt fish salad, king fish moll, crabs xekxek, local made pickle, kidney beans xakuti etc. And the food is served near a spring – the uddear zor. Again the same description… 24/7and 365 days flow… natural water…..etc…. but a new experience for lunch.
A visit to an ancestral Portuguese architecture built house and a visit to the 450 years old village church, the furniture in the house and the architecture of both is also a treat of this traditional village.
Finally in the evening we take you to the south side of the village where our brothers and sisters entertain you with traditional Goan songs and fugddi dance of kundbis – the aborigines of Goa, to the rhythmic beating of the gumot and mandonn. The same is done on the night of the wedding reception traditionally where they dance and sing and play all night long. Goan tradition , culture is highlighted. They sing, they dance, they play passionately they whistle. Their dresses, the flowers on the dancing women head, the jewellery, the mans playing singing, their dress and the dancing steps of the women is a treat to watch. As they sing and entertain – black tea with the flowers of lemon grass and ginger is served with filoz – a local evening snack prepared in traditional way on fire wood, in a banana leaf.
Contact: Fr Freddy +919822156955