Big Foot Museum Goa – Ancestral Goa Museum – Goa for Kids
My 8th visit to Goa, and once again I was adamant not to visit any beach of Goa. I do love beaches but Goa is a destination beyond beaches. I wanted to explore the little known places of Goa. So here I have my visit to Big Foot Museum in South Goa. My previous visit to Goa when I avoided the beaches there: River Road in Goa.
Big Foot Museum or Ancestral Goa Museum is a place for kids and non-Goans or foreign nationals who are keen to know more about life in Goa couple of centuries back. This place is also a must visit for bloggers like me who is always hunting for offbeat places in a popular tourist destination.
Big Foot Museum, Loutolim, Goa
The first time I heard of Big Foot I connected to foot print of Sasquatch. You know Sasquatch right? Sasquatch is a hairy, upright-walking, ape-like being who is believed to dwell in the wilderness and leaves behind large footprints. However to my surprise and amusement this museum has no connection to Sasquatch. Nevertheless, there is a big foot print here, which is worshiped and revered by locals.
Here is the belief/legend associated with Big Foot in Loutolim Goa.
Illustration: RAMANAND BHAGAT
Legend of the Big Foot
The story goes like this:
This story is about a wealthy man called Mahadar. Legend has it that he was very kind and always donating generously to the poor and needy. Unfortunately some lazy greedy people pretended to have misfortune and pleaded with him for help. The kind hearted Mahadar kept on distributing all his money and possessions till the day he was left with nothing. Out on the streets, without a home to call his own, Mahadar now approached others for help. None came to his rescue and under these difficult circumstances his wife passed away.
Mahadar then dedicated his life to the needy, helping them in every possible way. Pleased with all this, God approached him in his dream and asked him whether he wanted his wealth restored. Instead of wealth Mahadar asked God to bless all who hurt him. Even more pleased now God asked Mahadar to ask for a boon. Mahadar asked for a small place to stand and pray for mankind. Just to test him, God showed Mahadar a hot rock. Mahadar stood on that burning hot rock on one leg and prayed to God for many years.
- Big Foot Goa
- Big Foot Impression
- Idols at Big Foot Goa
Finally, his devotion won over the Gods. They fulfilled his wishes, showered blessings on him and took him to heaven leaving his footprint behind on the rock. Thus the name Big Foot! God promised that anybody praying at that spot with a pure heart would be blessed and his/her prayers answered.
This place is considered sacred and is a big hit with locals. I saw several families with small children here. Parents were cajoling kids to place their palms on the foot and pray to God!
Big Foot Impression
Towards the end of all exhibits is the cave that houses the Big Foot impression. It is evident the foot print is worshiped on a regular basis. For the spiritually inclined visitors and locals this is a holy place, so it is advisable to maintain the decorum of the place.
Big Foot Open Air Museum
There is now a big open air museum around this holy place. Called as Ancestral Goa Museum, this place is now an Educational Center for the Preservation of Art, Culture, Architecture and Environment.
As soon as you enter, you get a traditional style of warm welcome. The lady at the door applies tilak on forehead and showers some flowers and scented water. There after a loud audio recording played as you move from one stall of exhibit to another.
Ancestral Goa is privately run by an artist called Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares. The team here has set up a miniature Goan village to recreate the rural life as it was a hundred years ago. It is an interesting tour through different miniature houses that showcase traditional occupation and social classes such as fishermen, Goan artisans, liquor shops, the village market, and a Feni distillery.
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- Warm Welcome at Big Foot Goa Museum
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- Typical Goan house
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- Sweet seller
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- Potters – Ancestral Goa Museum
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- People of Goa
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- Coconut husking – Ancestral Goa museum
Saint Mira Bai
The absolute must see at Ancestral Goa is the giant 14m sculpture of Saint Mira Bai. This statue was carved in 30 days by MJA Alavres, the enterprising artist cum museum owner. He has a mention in Limca book of records for making the longest laterite sculpture in India.
In addition there is a little herb and spice garden, ideal way to introduce kids to the world of gardening. Another interesting place there is the World Lefthander’s Museum. I was disappointed to find it closed.
Disappointing Facts of Big Foot Museum
But the sour part of the entire tour is the ‘bird habitat’. There is a tiny cage with geese, chicken and some more birds. All in a bad way and in cages that is far too small. There are some rabbits and guinea pigs, equally badly treated. I wish they removed this altogether. The tiny cages don’t enhance the value of the Ancestral Museum in any way.
Souvenirs from Big Foot Museum Goa
There are lot of souvenirs on sale. You have a good range of choice between handicraft and food souvenirs. I somehow couldn’t resist buying the souvenir representing Big Foot. It is made on a small laterite stone and painted in golden color. Surprisingly the stone is light weighted, hard to believe stones could be so light.
Tickets and Timings of Big Foot Museum Goa
Open on all 365 days of the year.
Visiting hours: 9am to 6pm.
Tickets: Rs.50 and from 3 to 10 years Rs.25.
Camera – Rs.20.
I felt really sad about the caged birds, this doesn’t imply with the amazing legend of the big foot museum. I wish and do really hope they will do something about this. The story of the big foot really stunned me in a way that I’ve never heard such. It inspires people that is why no wonder it’s been praised always. Sharing good values really gives an impact to many from this big foot legendary.
I remember this museum from my very first trip to Goa. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Whether or not the story is true, there are a lot of people who believe it to be true.
The legend of the Bigfoot is really fascinating. This is an aspect of Goa that is so unique and different from the Goa of beaches and music. The museum too looks like a great place to understand the history and heritage of Goa which has been influenced by many cultures apart from the Portuguese.
Wow! What an interesting read. I love the Big Foot story and reading it here again me smile 🙂 The museum sounds so amazing, apart from the tiny cages – so sad! The souvenir that you bought is probably so lovely!
Now this is really an interesting place beyond the beaches of Goa and yes I loved the story behind it too quite interesting. Place will be fun for kids as well adults. Surely going to visit it some day.
Oh so interesting. Like you when I read the title “Big Foot” I immediately thought I was going to be reading a post about Sasquatch. The legend Mahadar is quite inspiring.
I have to admit I went to Goa about 5 years ago with my wife and all we did was sit on the beach – woops! I guess we missed a lot of the off-the-beaten-path sites in Goa.
My first thought was exactly as yours was — sasquatch in Goa? But it’s fascinating to learn about the local legend of Big Foot. Too bad about the bird being kept in tiny cages, I agree that that adds no value.
What a fun sounding museum! Like you, we love finding offbeat places when we travel. I love the story fo the Big Foot. The Lefthanders exhibit sounds interesting, so a shame it was closed. Thanks for including the info about the birds, and hopefully the management will change this. We will definitely add this to our list for the next time we visit Goa!
It’s interesting to learn of different legends around the world. This big foot message really brings a powerful message with it. It’s cool that you were able to spend time in such a quirky place. I’d like to go there and see the replicas of how people lived years ago.
This place sounds wonderful – informative and fun. I love the big foot-print! I totally feel you regarding the animals: I so hate that! I’ve seen ‘petting zoos’ like this around Asia; I don’t know why they do torture these poor animals by displaying them in far too small cages – respectively why they cage them at all. 🙁
I love hearing local legends and imagining this Big Foot standing on fire is inspiring. So sad to hear about the captive animals. I can’t understand how a spiritual center can have so little compassion for living things. Thanks for the post.
Such a powerful message in the legend of Big Foot. A great way to learn and see how early Goans lived.
I also immediately thought of Sasquatch upon reading your blog title. Very interesting story about Mahadar and his unwavering ability to do good and help others even in his own time of need. I would be very interested in the miniature Goan village to learn how Goans lived hundreds of years ago, I’m sure it’s fascinating.
What an interesting museum and I love this legend! So different than what I think of when I hear Big Foot. I really like the sculpture of Saint Mira Bai, amazing it was completed in 30 days.
I do love the legend – that kind of thing always brings a place to life for me. And the lateral statue Saint Mira Bai looks stunning.
I didn’t even know there was a BigFoot story in India so would love to know the story more in detail when I get to Goa….Soon I hope! 😀 So glad he is not feared there.
A great story of another Big Foot in a continent far removed from our own here in North America. And this one is revered instead of feared!
This will be on the list when I’ll be visiting Goa…
I have yet to see this place or even Goa Indrani but on my list. So far, the closest I have been to Goa is Kovalam Beach, a deal down the coast. Pinned and Tweeted.
Ryan
Great pics and Good to know about the offbeat place in Goa. Also legend was great.
Great pics. Interesting place.
Am yet to visit this museum.
Lovely post. So glad to see an article about Goa without mention of their famous beaches. 🙂
Interesting legend, beautifully illustrated by your clicks.
That’s a really cool museum It would be great for the whole family to go to.
Interesting museum. Nice to know about it.
This is wonderful experience to know about legends!!
I like the bigfoot legend. It is inspiring and teaches good values.
Our country has a reservoir of amazing legends!
Fascinating legend