INTRODUCTION

Popularly known as the freak capital of the world, Anjuna is just the right place for lazing holidaymakers. Besides the calm waters of the Arabian Sea lapping softly on the Indian shore, Anjuna comes live with its ever-famous full-moon parties and the Wednesday flea market to take one on to a trance trip.

LOCATION

Anjuna is a small village in north Goa, on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It lies 18 km away from Panaji (the old name for Panjim), the capital of Goa.

KEY ATTRACTIONS

The key attractions of Anjuna Beach are the magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920 (flanked by octagonal towers and an attractive Mangalore tile-roof), the Mascarenhas Mansion, and the Chapora Fort.

Wednesday Flea Market

Every Wednesday, at around 11 a.m., Anjuna breaks into a riot of colors. Lines of vehicles full of tourists start virtually raising clouds of dust in this area. Whatever one needs, from a used paperback to a haircut, one would find it here. The flea market is a heaven for hardcore shoppers and good bargainers, to bid on wonderful blends of Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati trinkets and handicrafts, European snacks, cassettes of a noisy brand of music called 'Goa Trance', artificial ornaments carvings and T-shirts. An elephant ride and a photograph with a fake sadhu or a fake snake charmer can also be found here.

The Acid House Party

Anjuna is also known for its full-moon (acid house) parties. Held for and by young tourists, these parties have attracted thousands of tourists. The trance party with dance, frolic, and merriment goes all night besides the fire.

Mascarenhas Mansion

With riches and classic ‘balcoes’ (balconies) at Anjuna stands the monumental Mascarenhas Mansion. The L-shaped seat along the length of the porch is of expensive wood. It has some of the finest stained glass floral etchings.

CLIMATE

Goa has a consistent climate throughout the year with just meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens, but April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 320 cm. The temperature during the summers ranges from 24°C to 32.7°C and during the winters it ranges from 21.3°C to 32.2°C.

Because of its pleasant climate, Anjuna can be visited at any time of the year. However, tourists should beware the heavy rainfall between June and October. The period from November to February is the best time to visit Anjuna.

HISTORY  

Anjuna Beach has been the haunt of the flower generation in the sixties and is still popular with the younger generation. It claimed popularity for its Trance Parties and the Hippies who tried to synthesize the spiritual traditions of the East and the art, ideas and the music of the West. Sometime in the late 1950s to mid-1960s, the area was "discovered" by a group of travelers, including "Eight Finger Eddie,” and a small international psychedelic scene began to meet there to party during the dry season.

VICINITY

In the vicinity of Anjuna are the Chapora Fort and the Albuquerque Mansion. To the east is a mountain. Anyone tired of the party and interested in returning to civilization can climb the mountain to get to Baga where one can catch a ferry out. Panjim too is not far away.

The Chapora Fort gives a splendid view of the nearby Anjuna and Vagator beaches. The fort has been well preserved except a few interesting ruins. Once, it was a domain of the Muslim rulers before the Portuguese wrested it. In 1683, the Marathas hijacked three priests from the Chapora Fort and made them Hindus.

TRADITION AND DRESS CODE

The villages of Goa have a few things in common: they will have at least one church with a square in front of it where those who can still find the time to do so meet and exchange news and views when sunset settles on the land. In the morning, however, particularly on a Sunday morning, the older men and women get into dark suits and dresses, the younger women carry scarves to cover their heads, and they go to church. Everyone is welcome into a Goan church, provided one is suitably dressed.

SHOPPING

The Wednesday flea market is a shoppers’ paradise, where one can buy anything on a bargain.

HOW TO REACH

By Air

The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji and 47 km from Anjuna.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is at Karmali 11 km away from Panaji and 29 km from Anjuna.

By Road

There are buses every hour to Anjuna from Mapusa (8 km). For tourists arriving from Mumbai, Mapusa is the jumping-off point for the northern beaches. There are frequent local buses to Panaji, which is just 18 km away. One can also hire a motorcycle or a taxi from Mapusa to reach Anjuna.