In most parts of India, women are still expected to dress modestly. Saris and other traditional fashions are designed to cover legs and upper arms and for an Indian woman to wear a bikini on the beach would be unthinkable; even tourists are advised against wearing skimpy bathing attire. But there is one place in India where almost anything goes – the tiny state of Goa on the central west coast, which was a Portuguese colony for 451 years until the Indian army invaded and annexed it in 1961.
The Portuguese influence is readily apparent in Goa’s architecture and cultural openness. Throughout the 1960’s and 70’s, hippies by the thousands flocked to its beaches to participate in its drug-induced raves and trance dances. Even today, visitors come to Goa hoping to get a feel for the hippie years. The very best chance of catching this glimpse is at Vagator Beach, which is still the trance dance capitol of India.
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