Heritage Study Trip to Goa 2018 from ICAT, Bangalore

The students of Interior Design department, accompanied by two faculties went on an educational trip to Goa. The trip was organized with an aim to give the students exposure, a chance to see and experience what they have learnt till date; induce curiosity, help them to socialize and bond with other students of the department, and also as a change from the routine academics.

The four-day trip commenced on 21st of March, 2018, when the group gathered at ICAT, Bangalore campus and left to Goa. After checking in to the hotel in the afternoon, the next day, the team went for a walk in the beautiful Calangute beach. The students enjoyed some wonderful time playing in the waves and got to watch the sunset at the beach.

On 23rd of March, the students visited the majestic Fort Aguada, which is a seventeenth-century Portuguese fort, overlooking the Arabian Sea. Built in 1612 to guard against the Marathas and the Dutch, it was the most crucial fort of Portuguese. From Fort Aguada, the team went to the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim. There they took a free ferry to cross the Mandovi. The church is located just about a km from the river. The baroque style church was built in 1541 by the Portuguese. Then the team went on a river cruise, to get a chance to experience the rich culture of Goa. The hour-long cruise, which took a leisurely trip down the Mandovi, was peppered with the folk songs and traditional dance of Goa.

The final day of the trip started early on Saturday morning setting out for the first destination of the day: the Museum of Goa. Located in Bardez, the museum showcased paintings, sculptures, installations of local Artist Dr. Subodh Kerkar and other Indian Artists on Goan history. After contemporary art, it was once again the time to revisit history. The team visited the Church and Monastery of St. Augustine located in old Goa that is a part of UNESCO's world heritage site. Then they visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus, another world heritage site and one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in India. Beautiful murals decorated the simple interiors of the church. The hot and humid weather of Goa was energy sapping. So after lunch and some refreshments, the team visited the last site of the day: the Church of St. Francis of Assisi situated in the main square of Old Goa. Built in 1661 by the Portuguese, the exterior of the Church is of the Tuscan order. The magnificent church had frescoes showing intricate floral designs in the interior. The church housed a museum that had artefacts, paintings, and sculptures that testify to Goa's rich and vibrant history.

The students were rejuvenated by the trip. The trip perfectly complemented their academics and also provided them the opportunity to learn in the most fun-filled way.