Taleigão lies in Ilhas de Goa and is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, vast tracts of fields to the east, Odxel-Vaiguinim-Dona Paula to the south and Santa Inez-Bhatlem to the north.

Located five kilometres from Panjim, Taleigão was considered the granary of north Goa during the Portuguese era, as vast tracts of agricultural land were then under rice cultivation.

Taleigão is known for its palm-fringed beaches, bright green paddy fields and Nagalli hill, age-old traditional houses and mansions, broad roads, footpaths, a centuries-old church, traffic circles with azulejo titles, chapels and temples, educational institutions, hotels and restaurants and of course its inhabitants.

The compound wall fitted with azulejo tiles bordering the Adro da Igreja de São Miguel and the illumination around it were added by Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate.

On the feast day, before the final blessing, the copper hat of St. Michael is placed on the head of the president-elect and a short prayer is recited for his good health.

In 1972 the Church underwent restoration work which was funded by Mr. Arthur Ligorio Benedicto Anunciaçao Viegas, who at the time spent rupees 60,000 and the Pope Paul VI honoured him with ‘Medalha de Proeclesia Pontificie’.

Traditionally, the harvest feast is celebrated with the music of brass bands, a colourful ceremonial umbrella, cannon fire, procession and high mass at São Miguel Arcanjo church.

On seeking to conquer Goa in 1510, the Portuguese fleet ran into the monsoon and could not leave the Mandovi river as the exit route was blocked by the sand bar formed at the entrance of Aguada Bay.

In memory of the conquest of Ilhas, Afonso de Albuquerque built a chapel dedicated to St. Catherine at Old Goa which was enlarged into a big church which is now known as Sé Cathedral.

In recognition of the help rendered by the people of Taleigão, by offering food provisions to his troops, Afonso de Albuquerque granted them the privilege to cut the first sheaves of rice on 21 August, prior to the other villages in Ilhas.

As a result of these reforms and transparency in the system, the Communidade of Taleigão prospered economically from the rice cultivation on vast tracts of land and earned the distinction of being the granary of Ilhas de Goa.

After embracing Christianity, the Gauncars continued these traditions with Eucharistic celebration in church and dedication of the sheaves to the patron of the village - São Miguel Arcanjo.

The feast is celebrated in rotation among the Gauncar families in the following order: Mendonça, Viegas, Martins, Luis, Gomes, Faria, Almeida, Falcão, and Abreu.

21 August: Cannons (fosné) are fired at noon and during the pealing of the Angelus bell on the previous day to convey to the neighbouring villages that Taleigão is all set to celebrate the Novidade.

At 8:30 am, President of the feast marches under the cover of a colourful ceremonial umbrella to the São Miguel Arcanjo church to the beats of brass band.

In 90's the procession used to be led by dhol caxia (drum)and a trumpet, followed by Adao representing the village tribes dressed in colourful costumes and dancing with bamboo sticks and swords.

22 August: With the boom of cannons in the background and accompanied by the traditional band, the feast President sets out to distribute fov (beaten rice) to nine Gauncar families living in different wards of the village.

23 August: At 4:00 pm, the President of the feast accompanied by traditional band and the boom of canons proceeds to the church and offers fov at the altar of São Miguel Arcanjo.

The group is received at the church entrance by the Parish Priest of Sé Cathedral with the pealing of the golden bell and playing of the traditional band in the background.

At Raj Bhavan, the feast President reads out a short speech highlighting the various difficulties faced by villagers in cultivating the fields, drainage system, etc.

In the afternoon the group is treated to a sumptuous lunch consisting of twelve dishes at the feast President's residence, with a boom of cannons in the background.

The traditions of Novidade revive the bond of friendship between the families under the tutelage of the Comunidade de Taleigão and blessings of the patron São Miguel Arcanjo.

The church square (adró) served as the main playground where most of the village lads practiced football under the mentorship of Dr. Alvaro Remegio Pinto.

The Portuguese constructed the first playground at Borchem Bhat which was handed over to a club known as Grupo Desportivo de Caranzalem to encourage football in Taleigão.

The statues of philosopher couple Mr and Mrs. Robert Knox which were carved by German sculptor Baroness Yrse Von Leistner are seen atop the rock.

The palace has a large Darbar hall, spacious verandahs with views of the Arabian Sea, Bohemian glass chandeliers, Chinese porcelain, antique tableware, assorted paintings and a garden.

Traditionally, agriculture and horticulture were the main occupation of the villagers, given the vast tracts of land where rice has cultivated during monsoon and vegetables were grown in summer.

Taleigão's tambdi bhaji (red amaranth), sweet potatoes, brinjals, chillies, bottle gourd, etc., are famous for their taste all over Tiswadi taluka.

Since the last decade, farming has been on decline because of high labour costs, flooding of the fields in monsoon due to non-maintenance of water channels, youth taking up different occupations, migration of families to other countries, etc.

Due to mass immigration from other states of India, high-rise housingconstructions have taken over vast areas of agricultural land in Taleigão which has transformed the village into an urban settlement.