My excursions in Goa are going so smoothly. The sun is out, and the air is fresh and vibrant. The sea breeze has done wonders for my lungs, and my daily long, lazy swims have kept me fit and energetic. I quite enjoyed shopping in Goa—we had to visit the market every once in a while, and I loved buying groceries, local vegetables, and some vibrant new clothes that perfectly suit the Goa vibe. My shopping experience at the United Colors of Benetton showroom was quite exciting. I bought a bright green army-style T-shirt and bright yellow and orange pants that fit perfectly and are also very comfortable.

My mornings are spent walking along the footpath and treating myself to coconut water, Goa-style. A local vendor named James has a truck full of coconuts. He slices them with a swift swoosh of his mighty sharp iron blade. Then, he inserts a straw into the coconut, making it ready to enjoy. What I loved most was the malai (coconut cream)—it was incredibly delicious, and the flavor was just amazing.

Coconut water does wonders for the skin, and since Goa can get quite hot in the afternoons, it is highly advisable to stay hydrated. I make sure to drink at least five bottles of water a day. It’s also important to use sunscreen, especially when heading to the beach, as sunburns are common during this time of the year. I also had the opportunity to visit a fine seafood restaurant called Calamari at Calangute Beach, which is an excellent place to dine. The best ways to get exercise here are either in the pool or at the beach, and I’m making sure to do both on this trip.

Calamari at Calangute Beach

It is advisable to stay indoors, especially in the late afternoon, but by nightfall, the climate cools down. Sometimes, I see fireworks and even flying drones in the sky. The buildings beyond the beach shimmer under the moonlight, and due to reflection, the images appear blurred and distorted. This phenomenon occurs due to refraction—the basic idea is that the air temperature changes with distance and height, creating refraction when light passes from cooler temperatures to hotter ones.

A diet rich in fish, fruits, and lentils is perfect for Goa—you need a light stomach to make the adventure even more enjoyable. I sometimes enjoy yoga on the balcony of my rented studio apartment, which is quite economical at just ₹5000 per day.

Kumbh Snan refers to the ritualistic holy bath taken during the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Devotees believe that bathing in the sacred rivers during the Kumbh Mela washes away sins and grants moksha (liberation).

Significance of Kumbh Snan

• According to Hindu beliefs, the waters of the sacred rivers are spiritually charged during the Kumbh Mela, offering purification of the soul.
• The event is linked to the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), where drops of the nectar of immortality (Amrit) fell at four places: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.
• Bathing on auspicious days is believed to bring spiritual merit, good fortune, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Locations of Kumbh Snan

The Kumbh Mela is celebrated at four places in India, rotating every 12 years:

1. Prayagraj (Allahabad) – Confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
2. Haridwar – River Ganga.
3. Ujjain – River Shipra.
4. Nashik – River Godavari.

Types of Kumbh Melas & Frequency

• Purna Kumbh Mela – Every 12 years at each of the four locations.
• Ardh Kumbh Mela – Every 6 years, held at Haridwar and Prayagraj.
• Maha Kumbh Mela – Once every 144 years (12 full cycles) at Prayagraj.

Main Bathing Dates (Shahi Snan)

During Kumbh Mela, there are specific auspicious bathing dates (Shahi Snan) when saints, sadhus, and devotees take a dip in the holy rivers. These dates are determined by astrological calculations.

Would you like information on the upcoming Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj?

All About Alcohol is an alcohol museum started by businessman Nandan Cochakar in the Candolim Beach area of Goa. This was a fascinating museum that I was excited to showcase in my blog.

As I walked in, I was greeted by a short, fair man who instantly inquired about the purpose of my visit.

“I am a blogger, and I wish to cover your outlet,” I told him.

I then showed him my blog, and the assistant was impressed. He even waived the entry fee of Rs. 500 and took me around the museum.

The Museum

The museum has four large rooms, and the entrance is filled with uniquely shaped alcohol glasses from all over the world. These items are displayed in glass caskets for easy viewing. There are also cabinets full of crystal whiskey tumblers. The ceiling of the museum features a wooden panel.

As you exit from the front side of the museum, there is a huge bar filled with crystal glasses. The wooden ceiling panel displays hundreds of beer bottle openers and wine coasters.

The wooden bar also has lanterns hanging from the top, which are very old and hold antique value.

One room is dedicated to wine caskets, straw baskets, and wrought iron pans—all used for storing barley and other grains essential for making whiskey and scotch.

One wall of the museum is lined with miniature liquor bottles from around the world. In addition to glasses, there are wall paintings and posters depicting wine bottles and bar scenes.

My favorite exhibit was a pink sculpture resembling the stomach and breasts of a very fat woman. It was really funny—it looked like a pink log—but I managed to take a picture of it and loved it for its unique shape.

The Fun Part

Visitors enter the museum from one side, but after exploring all the rooms and admiring the glasses and colorful bottles, they exit through a liquor store selling alcohol from around the world.

I noticed a wide variety of popular Indian whiskey brands, including McDowell’s, Signature, Royal Stag, and Blenders Pride. There were also wooden glass cabinets displaying premium brands like Talisker, Laphroaig, Toki, and Akashi.

It was obvious that once visitors exited the museum, they would be tempted to make a purchase. I really liked this strategy—guests could enjoy the museum and then buy the alcohol on display. This way, the owner makes money from liquor sales, and the museum serves as a facilitator for the final sale.

I asked if I could buy some of the antique paintings and ancient whiskey tumblers, but I was told they were not for sale. However, I managed to take some lovely pictures, which was the most fun part of the visit!

Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!

The De Melo House is a dilapidated bungalow that, according to local folklore, is a haunted house.

We were driving through Goa on our way to Calangute Beach—my friend and I—when I decided to stop by the haunted house.

Legend has it that the house was once owned by the De Melo brothers, who lived in harmony for some time. However, a property dispute arose between them over the inheritance of the De Melo House. This dispute soured their relationship, eventually leading to one brother murdering the other.

Haunted House of Goa

The mansion was built during the Portuguese rule. The two brothers, Peter and Anthony, lived together in love and peace for years. Both were married and lived as a joint family with their children in one of the most sought-after houses in Goa. The mansion was steeped in the old traditions of the Portuguese.

However, trouble began when Sally, Anthony’s wife, rekindled her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, a man named Rosario. She brought her lover into the mansion as a cook, and their affair continued in secret. Eventually, Sally told Anthony that she wanted to leave the house and no longer wished to live in a joint family.

Sally demanded that the property be split and that she be given her share. Anthony agreed, but Peter strongly objected. He believed Sally was a bad influence on Anthony and did not want the family to be divided. This led to frequent arguments between the brothers, and their relationship deteriorated.

One day, in a fit of rage, Peter murdered Anthony and buried his body in the backyard of the house. This tragedy shattered the family. Sally, now a widow, left the house, and Peter was put on trial. However, due to a lack of evidence, he was later acquitted.

After being released from prison, Peter was never the same. He was tormented by guilt and spent most of his days locked in his room, crying and deeply depressed.

One night, Peter was also found dead in the house. No one knows the exact cause of his death, but many believe he committed suicide due to overwhelming guilt and sorrow.

Following the deaths of both brothers, the house became haunted. It fell into ruin—the walls started collapsing, broken glass and decayed wood covered the floor, and the windows were shattered. The house became shabby and abandoned.

There are countless stories from passersby who claim to have heard eerie screams coming from inside the house. Some say the spirits of the two brothers still remain, locked in their endless quarrels even in death.

The De Melo House stands as a haunting symbol of tragedy—a once-loving joint family reduced to ruin, and its ancestral home now cursed by the spirits of two feuding brothers.

We were exploring Goa in a very leisurely fashion, which was the best way to admire the state. There were large hoardings advertising the local casino joints. Gambling is big business in Goa, and many make a living from it here. I ventured into an antique furniture shop called Centurion Furniture to check out some old pieces of furniture. Some of the items, like paintings, desks, and chairs, were over two hundred years old. There were porcupine vases, cupboards, wall clocks, and even old walking sticks made out of cane, studded with ivory at either end. The owner was selling these for as much as twenty thousand for one piece.

I walked through the shop; they even had a few antique mirrors one could admire. I quite liked the white charioteer with a glass chandelier—all in one piece—it stood apart from most of the stuff in the shop. There were monogrammed desks, bookshelves, and even porcine plates on display. One could spend hours in this shop and still not get bored.

Antique Furniture | Goan Architecture

The latter part of the evening was spent taking pictures of the most beautiful and quaint corners of Goa, the truly traditional Goan houses. These are homes of the old Goans who have been living here for generations. They were painted with the brightest of colors, like green, red, orange, and beige. It was all very wonderful, and I loved capturing them through my lens. On the way, I even managed to walk into an old carpentry shop that specialized in making coffins for the dead. It was strange that I captured a traditional wedding and also visited a coffin shop on the same day. The coffin shop had a few coffins lined up against the wall, all made from standard wood.

I even managed to venture into an old church that looked like a cathedral. I did not get into the church as it was closed, but I was struck by the statue of a saint. The man was dressed in black and looked like a priest. He must have been a famous priest who had served the church and the Christian faith. The church had cream-colored walls, and it was adorned with a cross at the top. This was in the Nagoa area of Goa. On the wall of the coffin shop, the name “Fern’s Coffin Shop” was written, along with the owner’s mobile number. These were standard-sized coffins made from local teak wood.

I learned a lot about Goan weddings. The Chuddo ceremony is the most important ceremony in a Goan wedding. Here, the bride is made to wear green glass bangles, called Chuddo. These bangles bring good luck and reflect married life and womanhood. There is a dowry that the woman’s family gives, such as jewelry, furniture, clothes, and kitchenware, along with cash at times. There have to be two witnesses, along with the bride and groom and their respective parents, during the wedding ceremony. Also, the bride should be over eighteen, and the groom should be over twenty-one.