Benaulim
Benaulim
बाणावली Banawali | |
|---|---|
  Benaulim Location in Goa, India  Benaulim Benaulim (India) | |
| Coordinates: 15°15′N 73°55′E / 15.25°N 73.92°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Goa |
| District | South Goa |
| Taluka | Salcete |
| Elevation | 1 m (3 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 11,919 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Konkani |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 403716 |
| Vehicle registration | GA |
| Website | goa |
Benaulim (Konkani: बाणावली Banawali) is a census town in the state of Goa, India. Traditionally, one of the nine comunidades in the region of Salcete, it is now an important settlement in South Goa district. Benaulim today is a seaside resort renowned for its balmy weather, golden sands and palm-fringed beaches.
Etymology
The village was known as Banahalli or Banawali (the village of the arrow) before the advent of the Portuguese. Ban is the Sanskrit word for 'arrow' and Halli the Kannada word for 'village'. According to the Sahyadrikhanda of the Skanda Purana, Lord Parashurama shot his arrow into the sea and commanded the sea god Varuna recede up to the point where his arrow landed.[1] The arrow is said to have landed at Banahalli. The area was then settled by Goud Saraswat Brahmins from northern India.[1]
Ancient Banahalli was the site of the Katyayani Baneshvar temple dedicated to the Hindu dieties Shiva and Parvati. The temple ruins can be still found in the village. The deities were shifted to Aversa in North Canara (modern Uttara Kannada district) in the sixteenth century.
Geography
Benaulim is located at 15°15′N 73°55′E / 15.25°N 73.92°E.[2] It has an average elevation of 1 m (3.3 ft).
Beaches
Benaulim beach |
|---|
Benaulim's main market is located at Maria Hall where most accommodation, eating options, grocery shops and pharmacies are concentrated.[3] Benaulim has two beaches—Benaulim beach, which is the main beach, and Vaddi beach.
Benaulim beach is not as commercialised as other related beaches, though it is a local tourist destination.[4] Apart from sunbathing and swimming, there are also options of parasailing, jet skiing, boat ride and wind surfing.[5]
Demographics
Benaulim has population of 11,919 of which 5,818 are males while 6,101 are females as per report released by Census of India 2011. Child population within the age group of 0–6 is 1,235 which is 10.36 % of total population. Female sex ratio is of 1,049 against Goa state average of 973. Moreover child sex ratio is around 992 compared state average of 942.[6]
Literacy is 89.25 %, higher than state average of 88.70 %. Male literacy is around 92.15 % while female literacy rate is 86.51 %. Out of total population, 4,316 were engaged in work or business activity. Of this 3,087 were males while 1,229 were females.[6]
Benaulim has a predominantly Christian population (82.68%), followed by Hinduism (13.05%) and Islam (3.90%). Schedule Caste (SC) constitutes 0.99 % while Schedule Tribe (ST) were 0.26 % of total population.[6]
Notable people
- Prof Froilano de Mello, MD – Indo-Portuguese microbiologist, medical scientist, professor, author and an independent MP in the Parliament of Portugal.[7]
- St Joseph Vaz – Missionary priest who worked in Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka) and Canara (coastal Karnataka).[8]
- The Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP – British Labour Party politician of Goan heritage. Distant relative of St Joseph Vaz.[9]
References
- ^ a b Alan Machado (Prabhu) (1999), "Brahmins deeply read in the Vedas" [The Aryan Inheritance], Sarasvati's Children: A History of the Mangalorean Christians (First ed.), Bangalore: I.J.A. Publications, pp. 29–38, ISBN 81-86778-25-X
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Benaulim, Goa
- ^ "Maria Hall: Landmark in Benaulim", Lonely Planet
- ^ "Introducing Benaulim", Lonely Planet
- ^ "Benaulim beach reviews", indialine.com
- ^ a b c d Mr. C. Chandramouli (2015), "Benaulim Population Census 2011", Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Census Organization of India, retrieved 23 June 2017
- ^
Dr. Jose Colaco; Mr. Alfredo de Mello, Professor Froilano de Mello, MD (1887–1955): A Short Biography of His Life and Achievements, Goacom Biography Series, Goacom.com, archived from the original on 24 December 2011
{{citation}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Pius Fidelis Pinto (1999), History of Christians in Coastal Karnataka, 1500–1763 A.D., Mangalore: Samanvaya Prakashan, pp. 210–212
- ^
"Relative of British MP to become Sri Lanka's first saint", Catholic Herald, 18 September 2014, archived from the original on 20 September 2014
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External links
- Benaulim beach pictures, 2012
