Ancestral Goa Museum / Big Foot
The Ancestral Goa museum/ exhibition is situated in the small Village of Loutolim which is about 10 km from Margao and 25 km from Panaji. The musuem is also known as big foot. It is privately run by an artist called Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares. The open-air museum recreates Goan rural life as it was a hundred years ago.
At Ancestral Goa there are a number of places to visit such as an art gallery where one can see work done by local children and artists of State and National fame. There is a handicraft centre where one can get some locally made Goan artificats, Big Foot dance floor, Big Foot restaurant, a cross, a spring known as Boca da Vaca, a bird habitat, a spice yard, rubber plantations and lots more.
In this model village one can also see different miniature houses that showcase traditional occupation and social classes such as fishermen, Goan artisans, a Music school known as Escola da Musica, farmers, liquors shops, the village market, and a feni distillery.
The main highlight however at Ancestral Goa is the giant 14 meter sculpture of Sant Mirabai carved in 30 days by MJA Alavres the enterprising artist cum museum owner. This has been cited in the Limca book of records for being the longest laterite sculpture in India.
At Ancestral Goa one is accompanied by a guide who explains the exhibits. Also one can purchase souvenirs on the way out from the handicraft centre. The museum is open on all days from 9 am to 6 pm and has a small entry fee.