Day 2 (B) ~ #BlogchatterA2Z challenge
All artwork is copyrighted by Lonely Canopy.
#BlogchatterA2Z posts:
A , B , C , D , E , F , G , H , I , J , K , L , M , N , O , P , Q , R , S , T , U , V , W , X , Y , Z
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The Braganza Pereira house has been standing tall, overlooking the Chandor town square, for over 350 odd years. The two-storeyed house is unique to Goa – you are greeted with a very Portuguese facade topped with local red-brick tiled roof. The endless mother-of-pearl lined windows (28 windows in total) and the decorative imported iron railings create a nice symmetry. Stepping in, you reach a courtyard, typical of traditional Hindu architecture.
Sprawling over 10,000 sq. kms, the ancient house is flanked by palm trees in the front and a fruit orchard in the backyard. The Braganza family built this home in the 17th century, on land gifted by the king of Portugal, Don Luiz.
Several generations ago, there were no male heirs and the house was split between two sisters. The West Wing belongs to one set of the family’s descendants, the Menezes-Braganças. The east wing is owned by the Pereira-Braganza family. The east wing boasts of a ballroom with Belgian chandeliers and Italian tiled floor. It also has a private chapel, with a lovely altar and a carefully-preserved nail that belonged to St Francis Xavier.
Both sides of the house boast of huge rooms, with antique furniture in classical Italian style, and rare treasures collected over generations from the world. The house has been opened to visitors, for sustenance; tours are typically conducted by family members who have many stories and memories to share.
How does it feel to live in a house that has a life of its own, a nostalgic relic of times gone with tides, a witness to the amalgamation of different cultures, family and social changes, and hopes and aspirations of its inhabitants as well as the nation itself.
Wow that is such a deep writing. Truly said, that the house has seen so many changes just like the nation.
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Thanks, Tamanna 🙂 Glad you liked it.
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What a unique theme for a to z! I remember thinking something on similar lines while walking through one of the palaces open for public viewing in Jaipur!
Bodylicious @NamySaysSo
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Thanks, Namratha. Rajasthan is simply a wonderland. Some of my upcoming posts are set there 🙂
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Brilliant yet again! It is indeed magical to imagine living in a house with historical significance. Great art work!
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Thanks 🙂 … yes, such space bear the marks of so many footsteps and energies.
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Fascinating. Enjoyed this knowledgeable post and have shared it on my twitter. Visiting from the A to Z Challenge.
Kalpanaa from http://www.kalpanaawrites.com
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Thanks, so much Kalpanaa for the encouragement.
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It reminds me of the movie, thoda hai thode ki zarurat hai 🙂
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Wow Snehal … that was a beautiful movie. I was reminded of Shyam Benegal’s Trikal when I saw the house 🙂
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Wow!! I can imagine through your writing how beautiful that house must be. That’s a great piece of writing.
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Thanks 🙂 … I’m so happy you liked the writing 🙂
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Great article Seema! You really made it come alive, and make the reader feel as if they are there. 🙂
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Thanks Simran Silva … Goa just makes ensnares you, especially its hidden sides.
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Your quill lends the house an air of mysticism. Great piece of writing.
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Thanks so much, Meha for the kind words 🙂
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Your words brought the house alive for us! Beautiful post and illustrations, Seema.
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Thanks, so much Mayuri 🙂
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now I want to see it for myslef, especially the mother of perarl lined windows
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They are definitely worth a trip 🙂
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Nice teaser, Seema! Wanted to know more though about this interesting building and its occupants.
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Thanks, Nupur 🙂 Do visit the place if you are travelling in Goa.
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Getting to know the history and tides of change that a place has witnessed is something to marvel at. Love the post. Really well written.
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Thanks, Shweta. You are so kind to say that.
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Beautifully illustrated!
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Thanks!
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10,000 sq Km? You mean metres? Feet?
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Checked my travel notes … it is acres actually. That’s the lad the family-owned before the disputes. Thanks, for pointing out this error.
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