Anjuna

Anjuna is located on the Arabian Sea coast of North Goa, within the Bardez taluka, north of Candolim–Calangute and south of Vagator. The settlement occupies a distinctive coastal landscape marked by rocky headlands, small coves, sandy stretches, and lateritic cliffs.

Unlike flatter beach zones, Anjuna’s varied terrain influenced settlement patterns, limiting large-scale agriculture while supporting fishing, coconut groves, and later tourism-oriented development. Its position along the North Goa coast placed it within regional coastal networks but outside major administrative or port centres.

Early Settlement and Pre-Colonial Background

Before European arrival, Anjuna existed as a small coastal village, sustained by fishing, coconut cultivation, and subsistence farming. The village was organised through traditional Goan comunidade land systems, village assemblies, and customary laws typical of the Konkan region.

Anjuna did not function as a political or commercial centre in early periods. It remained a local settlement serving nearby coastal and inland villages rather than long-distance trade routes.

Portuguese Rule and Religious Institutions

Following the Portuguese conquest of Goa in 1510, Anjuna became part of the Bardez region under colonial administration. As in other coastal villages, religious conversion and the establishment of Christian institutions reshaped social organisation.

The Church of Our Lady of Health, built in the early 18th century, became the village’s central religious institution. While Portuguese authority influenced religious life and land ownership, Anjuna remained largely rural and did not develop into a colonial town or administrative centre.

Economic life continued to revolve around fishing, coconut-based agriculture, and small-scale local exchange.

Settlement Pattern Under Portuguese Period

Throughout the colonial era, Anjuna retained its dispersed village character. Housing clusters developed around church and community spaces, while agricultural land and coconut groves occupied the hinterland.

The coastline was used primarily for fishing and boat landing rather than recreation. Infrastructure development remained minimal compared to urban centres such as Panaji or port zones like Mormugao.

Transition After 1961

After Goa’s integration into the Indian Union in 1961, Anjuna entered a gradual transition phase. For much of the 1960s, the village retained its traditional economic structure, with fishing and agriculture dominating livelihoods.

Improved road connectivity and exposure to domestic and international travel networks began to bring visitors to the area, although tourism remained limited in scale during the early years.

Emergence as a Cultural Tourism Centre

A major transformation occurred from the late 1960s and 1970s, when Anjuna became associated with alternative travel cultures. International travellers, particularly from Europe and North America, were drawn to its open landscapes, relaxed social environment, and relative isolation.

This period marked Anjuna’s emergence as a globally recognised cultural tourism destination, distinct from conventional beach resorts. Informal accommodation, small cafés, and community-based services developed organically rather than through large-scale investment.

Expansion of Tourism and Market Culture

From the 1980s onward, Anjuna’s tourism profile expanded and diversified. The establishment of the Anjuna Flea Market became a defining feature, transforming the village into a seasonal commercial and social hub.

Tourism-related activities increasingly dominated the local economy. Guesthouses, restaurants, transport services, and retail outlets expanded, drawing workers and entrepreneurs from across Goa and other parts of India.

Urbanisation and Governance Challenges

Rapid growth brought challenges related to infrastructure, land use, and regulation. Unlike planned resort towns, Anjuna’s development followed an organic and fragmented pattern, shaped by private land ownership and informal enterprises.

Local governance bodies adapted to new demands involving traffic, sanitation, public order, and environmental management. The village’s small administrative framework faced pressure from a large floating population of tourists and seasonal residents.

Social and Economic Transformation

Tourism reshaped Anjuna’s social fabric. Traditional fishing declined in relative importance, while service-sector employment became dominant. Migration altered demographic composition, introducing cultural diversity alongside long-established local communities.

Religious institutions and village traditions continued to function, but everyday life increasingly reflected a tourism-driven rhythm.

Relationship with North Goa’s Coastal Network

Anjuna forms part of North Goa’s continuous coastal tourism belt, linked closely with Vagator, Baga, and Calangute. Its identity, however, remains distinct due to its historical association with alternative tourism and cultural exchange rather than mass-market beach tourism alone.

The village functions as both a destination and a support base for tourism-related activities across the region.

Anjuna in the Modern Era

In the modern era, Anjuna stands as a globally recognised coastal tourism settlement, known for its cultural history, seasonal markets, and visitor-driven economy. Its significance lies in tourism, informal commerce, and cultural exchange rather than administration or industry.

Urban growth remains shaped by tourism demand, land-use regulation, and environmental considerations. Anjuna’s evolution—from a pre-colonial fishing village to a Portuguese-era coastal parish and later a modern international tourism landmark—illustrates how global travel trends transformed parts of Goa’s coastline while retaining traces of village organisation and local identity.