The Changing Face of Assagao

A stone’s throw away from the congested and bustling Mapusa, lies the reticent and captivating village of Assagao. The picturesque village is seeing a sudden influx of new residents, who are moving into the quaint town. The hotbed of new investments now has quaint cafes, yoga retreats, restaurants and boutiques springing up adding to its charm. Join us on a purposeful journey to discover the beautiful hamlet.

ASSAGAO, a diminutive and pretty village in North Goa that rests peacefully in verdant hills, clothed in cashew groves, exudes an unhurried oldworld charm. The village gets its name from the Asson trees that abound here. Gifted with the healing power of its organic spring waters, natural beauty and gentle soothing breezes from the Arabian Sea, the village has a laidback and serene air about it. 

Assagao has tacitly become a chic and upscale residential area of Goa, with many stately Portuguese restored homes with ravishing tropical gardens and flowers. Quaint cafes, restaurants, boutiques, yoga and Ayurveda retreats dot the countryside. Assagao holds some stunning secrets up its sleeve. 

Unlike many other villages which are accelerating to development, the charm of this village is its casual and slow pace of life, which is attracting a steady influx of new settlers. A walk through the tiny lanes of this picturesque hamlet exposes you to invigorating sights. Marvel at the beautiful heritage homes laden with bougainvillea and flame colored flowers which dot its entire stretch. 

These archaic abodes are being restored and are now home to these new residents who have given up their hectic lifestyle in the metros and have opted to settle down in the tranquility and serenity that Assagao offers. Developers have also come up with contemporary homes, villas and apartments, offering a host of luxurious amenities like swimming pool, club house, recreational and play areas. 

Assagao also offers premium boutique villas and premium vacation homes on rent for an exotic holiday experience. This trend seems to have picked up steam lately, with many vacation homes and villas being offered for premium holidays and Airbnb rentals.

Assagao stands out for its strategic location. Mapusa, the local market town, is just 3 km from the serene village and features an authentic lively large outdoor market every day, culminating into frenzy, on Friday Bazaar day.

The boutique offers stylish contemporary ensembles for its fashion-conscious clientele. Besides clothes, they sell accessories, paintings, men’s wear, handcrafted gift items, pots, tableware and also have an informal café where they organize musical soirees and talks. Another popular haunt is the Cheshire Cat Gallery, a high-end jewellery boutique, owned by Kees Van Andel and Karen Peace. They sell 

high-end pieces and take orders for custommade jewellery as well. The couple has trained local women to make beaded jewellery, which is a hot-seller. Their clothing line is called Pink India, which has a beautiful range of ensembles. The gallery also has paintings and other artistic artifacts. Besides the arty, genteel vibe, Assagao also offers alternate therapies for the weary soul with yoga schools, meditation centres and Ayurvedic therapies offering comprehensive solutions for various ailments. 

There are a few seminaries in the vicinity like the Palloti Institute, which add to the spiritual-peace quotient. One of the newest entrants into Assagao is the Gunpowder restaurant, alongside a sister establishment called People Tree, a quaint boutique, offering contemporary and fresh clothing.

 Owned and managed by Satish Warrier, the restaurant is a branch of the famous Hauz Khas, Delhi setup of the same name. A former journalist, Mr. Warrier has moved to Assagao seeking serenity and quietude. Head uphill on the Mapusa-Anjuna road to the Ghateshwar temple. The unique dark idol of Lord Ghateshwar is a marvel. The historic temple offers stunning vistas of the valley below. 

Assagao stands out for its strategic location. Mapusa, the local market town, is just 3 km from the serene village and features an authentic lively large outdoor market every day, culminating into frenzy, on Friday Bazaar day. A variety of locally produced vegetables, exotic fruits, fresh seafood, meat, pickles and preserves, spices, earthen pots, coir mats, home-made cashew and coconut feni and an assortment of breads are available for sale.