Country India District North Goa Demonym(s) Malari Elevation 8 m Area code 0832 | State Goa Taluka Ilhas Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Local time Tuesday 12:35 PM Named for Saint Matthias | |
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Weather 36°C, Wind W at 13 km/h, 39% Humidity | ||
São Mathias also known as Malar is a village on Divar island, Tiswadi, in the Indian state of Goa. The island is located 10 km upriver from Panjim.
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Map of Sao Matias VP, Goa
A ferry connects Malar to the island village of Vanxim; also part of the Malar Panchayat. The Konkan Railway passes through Malar, the nearest stop on the mainland is the train station at Carambolim. Ferry Connection from Narva to Narva- Bicholim, also Ferry Connection from the Island to Old Goa, and Ribander.
São Matias is surrounded by Mormugao towards west, Ponda towards East, Panaji Taluk towards west, Margao Taluk towards South .This Place is in the border of the North Goa District and South Goa District. It is near to Arabian Sea so there is a chance of humidity in the weather.
The São Mathias Church was built by the Portuguese over 400 years ago. The St Mathias Sports Club is situated on the main road of the village.
São Matias Igreja
This church is 410 years old and is dedicated to St. Mathias. The village derives its name from the church. It was established between 1590-1597.
Malar Cemetery
It is located near the Church of São Mathias. Many artistic graves can be found here. It houses a chapel. Due to lack of space, niches are being made into the walls for burying the dead.
Bonderam
The famous Bonderam festival is celebrated in Malar a week earlier than in Divar, at the end of August during the monsoon and attended by thousands of tourists and locals. The festival is held in memory of the dispute and the fury of the villagers over the Portuguese system of resolving the disputes. The villagers on Divar Island often indulged in fights over the matter of ownership of their lands. To stop the disputes, the Portuguese put up flags at the boundaries. The villagers did not like this system and so they protested against the Portuguese by throwing stones at the flags. On this day a carnival ambience is created. Each section of the village has a float at the parade. Melodious music is played throughout the village. The gaily colored floats accompanied by colorfully dressed youngsters make a pretty picture.
Potekar
The Potekar festival is celebrated across the island for three days before the start of Lent/Ash Wednesday, where local youths wear home made masks, costumes and cow bells, venturing around the village, receiving and demanding snacks and drinks from locals, and have licence to frighten the village children.
Government
The panchayat of São Mathias also caters to the villages of Naroa and Vanxim.