Salcette

Salcette, an ancient hamlet of the Portuguese, is located in the South Goa District in the state of Goa. Margao is the administrative and economic centre of Salcette. The ancient hamlet is coterminous with a region called Sashti, which comprises sixty six villages. The taluka shares its boundary with Sanguem, Tiswadi, Ponda, Canacona, Quepem and the Arabian Sea.

Salcette features six comunidades, which include Benaulim, Curtorim, Loutolim, Margao, Quelossim, Raia and Verna. Some of the legends link the habitation of sixty-six families of Goud Saraswat Brahmins in Salcette with the origin of the hamlet. The legend states that the name Salcette is derived from the Sanskrit word Sassast, meaning sixty six.

The history of the region dates back to the arrival of the Portuguese in 1510, who ruled the place from the 16th to 18th century. Thereafter, the region was ruled by Hindu, Muslim and Portuguese rulers over the centuries, which is evident in the monuments and relics found in and around the region. Some of the notable attractions of Salcette are the churches built by the Portuguese.

The reign of the Portuguese has influenced the culture of the region. Traditions of yesteryears are still followed by the inhabitants, Goud Saraswat Brahmins of Bengal and Christians. Although, the official language of Goa is Konkani, but languages such as Marathi and English are widely spoken.

The Church of the Holy Spirit and the Rachol Fort are the prominent tourist attractions in Salcette. The church was built in 1564 by Jesuit missionaries, which hosts a fair in the month of May. The Rachol Fort is a symbol of rich history and is a testimony of the rule of various dynasties.  

Salcette is well connected with all the modes of transportation, including road, rail, water and air. Dabolim Airport of Goa is the nearest airbase to the town, whereas the closest railhead of Margao is located at a distance of 45 km from Salcette. The extensive network of roadways connects the destination with Panaji, Belgaum, Mahad, Patradevi, Pernem and Bardez. Along with these, Salcette is connected to Mumbai through waterways.

The hamlet experiences tropical climatic conditions round the year, which is largely affected by the presence of the Arabian Sea nearby. The weather is pleasant between the months of October and January and is the ideal time to visit Salcette.