Goa Velha

Goa Velha is a census town in Ilhas, Goa. It should not be confused with the World Heritage Site Velha Goa (English: Old Goa). St. Andrew's is its parish church. It is well known for its yearly 'procession of saints' (Konkani: santanchem pursanv)

Goa Velha
Town
Saint Andrew's Church and School
Goa Velha
Goa Velha
Coordinates: 15.444°N 73.881°E / 15.444; 73.881
Country India
StateGoa
DistrictNorth Goa
Sub DistrictIlhas
Founded byAfonso Albuquerque
Named for"Goa - The Old" in Portuguese
Government
Area
  Total6.20 km2 (2.39 sq mi)
Elevation
6 m (20 ft)
Population
 (2011)
  Total4,322
  Density700/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Languages
  OfficialKonkani
  Also Spoken (understood)English
  HistoricalPortuguese
Religions
  DominantChristianity
  MinorHinduism
  HistoricalRoman Catholicism
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Postcode
403108
Telephone Code0832

History

The town of Goa Velha stands on the site of the ancient port of "Govapuri" or "Gopakapattana", which was founded by the Kadamba Dynasty in the 11th century on the banks of the Zuari River. Govapuri was one of the main ports first of the Kadamba Dynasty, and subsequently of the Vijayanagara Empire. In the 15th century, a number of wars were fought between the Deccan sultanates and Vijayanagara for control of the Goa region, as a result of which Govapuri came under the control of the Adilshahs of Bijapur. Govapuri was devastated by the wars. In addition, the Zuari had begun to recede from the port as a result of silting. As a result, the new Adilshahi rulers built a new port city for Goa some distance to the north, on the banks of the Mandovi. The Portuguese eventually made the new city the capital of Portuguese India, and called the old port of Govapuri "Goa Velha" (Portuguese for "Goa the Old"). Goa Velha continued to exist as a small town under Portuguese rule, and in 1961 was invaded by India along with the rest of Goa.

Geography

Goa Velha is located adjacent to Pilar in Ilhas, North Goa. By road it is approximately 2.5 kilometres north-west of Agaçaim, 12 kilometres south-east of the capital Panjim, 17 kilometres north-east of Vasco da Gama, and 22 kilometres north of the South Goa district headquarters Margão.

Demographics

Population

As of the 2011 India census, Goa Velha had a population of 4,322 . Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%.

Literacy

Goa Velha has an average literacy rate of 89.17%, higher than the state average of 88.70%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 71%. In Goa Velha, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Religion

68.12% of the population is Christian, 27.97% is Hindu and 3.77% is Muslim.

Goa Velha Census Town has total administration over 1,055 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorized to build roads within Census Town limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

References

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