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 alive with its ever-famous full-moon parties and the Wednesday flea market to take one on a trance trip. 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.
Tourists Attractions at Anjuna beach Goa
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 monumental Mascarenhas Mansion with its classic ‘balcaos’ (balconies), expensive wooden L-shaped seating along the length of the porch and some of the finest stained glass floral etchings, and the Chapora Fort.
Wednesday Flea Market – Every Wednesday, at around 11 a.m., Anjuna breaks into a riot of colours. Lines of vehicles full of tourists start virtually raising clouds of dust in the area. Whatever one needs, from a used paperback to a haircut, one would find it here. The flea market is a haven 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 on all night beside a fire.
Best Time To Visit Anjuna Beach Goa
Goa has a consistent climate throughout the year with just meagre fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woollens, but April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 320 cm. 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 of Anjuna Beach Goa
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 synthesise 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 travellers, including “Eight Finger Eddie,” and a small international psychedelic scene began to meet there to party during the dry season.
Places Around Anjuna Beach
In the vicinity of Anjuna are the Chapora Fort and the Albuquerque Mansion. To the east is a mountain. Anyone tired of partying 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 for 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.
Shopping
The Wednesday flea market is a shoppers’ paradise, where one can buy anything on a bargain.
