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São Matias, Goa

São Mathias
Malar and São Matias
Village
São Matias Igreja, Divar
São Matias Igreja, Divar
São Mathias is located in Goa
São Mathias
São Mathias
São Mathias is located in India
São Mathias
São Mathias
Coordinates: 15°31′39.5″N 73°54′58.8″E / 15.527639°N 73.916333°E / 15.527639; 73.916333Coordinates: 15°31′39.5″N 73°54′58.8″E / 15.527639°N 73.916333°E / 15.527639; 73.916333
Country  India
State Goa
District North Goa
Taluka Ilhas
Named for São Matias
Government
 • Type Panchayat
 • Sarpanch seat vacant
Elevation 8 m (26 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total <5,000
Demonym(s) Malari
Languages
 • Official Konkani
 • Also Spoken (understood) English, Marathi, Hindi
 • Historical Portuguese
Religions
 • Dominant Christianity
 • Minor Hinduism, Islam, Atheism
 • Historical Roman Catholicism
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Postcode 403403
Telephone code 0832
Vehicle registration none

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


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