Candolim

Candolim is a census town in North Goa's Bardez taluka. It is south of Calangute Beach, a favourite destination among travellers. Candolim was first turned to Christianity in the sixteenth century by devout Franciscan monks. This was led by the conversion of Santu Sinay, a Candolim nobleman when he was just eight and who took on the name of Salvador Pinto. Santu or Salvador is known for his legendary devotion to St. Francis Xavier, who is still deeply revered in Goa.

Candolim would also play a pivotal role in the anti-Portuguese revolt of 1787. Spearheaded by the village priests who hailed from the Shenoy Pinto community, the revolt was triggered by discrimination meted out against the locals. The Shenoys of Candolim had earlier been granted a coat of arms by the Portuguese government and were among its protectors in India. These ancient stories buried under Goa's not-so-distant past point to the many layers of lesser-known history of this modern-day Indian beach town.