As the 4th G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting and Tourism Ministers Meeting concluded, the delegates of embarked on a captivating excursion to discover the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Goa.
Through this specially curated excursion, foreign delegates had the opportunity to witness the beauty and historical significance of several prominent landmarks in Goa.
The day commenced with a visit to the renowned Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Old Goa. The delegates were mesmerised at the opportunity to witness the intricate architecture and serene ambience of this church which has great historic significance and which houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.
Continuing their exploration of Goa’s cultural treasures, the delegation the proceeded to the Museum of Christian Art. Located adjacent to the Basilica, this museum showcases a remarkable collection of Christian art, including sculptures, paintings, and artifacts, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and artistic legacy of the region.
Immersing themselves further into the diverse religious fabric of Goa, the delegates were then taken to Mangueshi Temple en route Ponda. This ancient Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Manguesh, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, exemplifies the architectural brilliance of Goan temples. The delegates closely observed the temple’s intricate carvings, lush surroundings, and the tranquil atmosphere that permeates the site.
To conclude their eventful day, the delegates visited the historic Figueiredo Mansion in Loutulim, a splendid example of Indo-Portuguese architecture. The delegates had the opportunity of experiencing the mansion’s grandeur and its rich collection of art and antiques. The delegates got to savour an authentic Goan spread, specially prepared as part of the excursion to allow them to understand Goan cusine better, which was also served at the hotel during the meetings.
Meanwhile, the G20 delegates were treated to the splendour of Goa’s rich biodiversity during their recent official engagement at the newly renovated 17th-century fort at Aguad, which is housed at the Aguada Jail complex.
A captivating display of Goa’s thriving biodiversity was expertly curated by the team at Agaud in collaboration with National Institute of Design (NID) alumnus Kritika Malhotra. This immersive experience themed ‘Goan Monsoon Forest’ was brought to life by the contributions of noted naturalists Parag Rangnekar, Omkar Dharwadkar and Puja Mitra.
“The theme chosen for the G20 meet required showcasing of the abundant biodiversity that Goa has to offer. There are 480 species of birds and animals presently found in Goa and it was necessary to champion this rich biodiversity,” says Puja Mitra, founder and director of Terra Conscious.
The event celebrated the natural bounty of Goa, particularly its rich natural heritage in the Western Ghats – a UNESCO World Heritage site – through video projections of the region’s natural bounty and sounds of the rain, birds chirping, forest sounds and gushing waterfalls, to vividly encapsulate the monsoon experience with the company of Goan cuisine, beverages and Konkani music.
Malhotra, who curated and designed the theme along with the in-house team at Aguad, said that it was important to bring Goa’s natural heritage to the forefront. “And with the monsoons around the corner, we thought that this would be a lovely thing to represent. So, that’s why we thought of recreating the forests of Goa inside the gallery… People are passionate about conservation and wildlife, therefore we put up photographs of the different species of wildlife that are only found in Goa.”
According to naturalist Parag Rangnekar, G20 delegates were also presented with a visual treat in the form of a biodiversity map of Goa.
“The team thought a biodiversity map would serve as a perfect display at the venue because it is visually attractive and would give the delegates an opportunity to engage with the wildlife and biodiversity of the state,” Rangnekar said.
Goa is a region of immense importance, home to at least 1,136 rare and endangered mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, spiders, butterfly and dragonfly, as well as 1,750 plant species, which were represented in spirit to the visiting G20 delegates.
