Prime
Destination India
Goa Tourism
Variously known as "Rome
of the East", "Tourist Paradise" and "Pearl of the Orient",
the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt
known as Konkan.
The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours
of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers
around the world.
But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea.
It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the
prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer.
Much of the real Goa
is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from
the coastal area.
Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram,
an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa.
Over the centuries
various dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas, Chalukyas,
Bahamani Muslims and most famously the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa.
Goa
was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19,
1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On
May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian
Republic.
Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures
of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle
quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up
almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other
religions.
All the communities have mutual respect towards one another
and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious
harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goan people allows them to celebrate
and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali,
Christmas, Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm.
The state of Maharashtra
borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast
expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which
Goa is justly famous.
Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal
and Talpona are the main rivers which weave their way throughout the state forming
the inland waterways adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used
to transport Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese ore to Mormugao
Harbour. Along the way to the coast these waterways form estuaries, creeks and
bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed coastline behind which lie the fishing villages
among the coconut groves.
Panaji (Panjim) is the state capital located
on the banks of the Mandovi river and Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda are the
other major towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located
at Dabolim near Vasco. An intra-state and inter-state bus network also plays an
important role in getting locals and visitors alike in and around Goa.
The
vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain range ensures that Goa has an abundance
of water. The sea and rivers abound in seafood - prawns, mackerels, sardines,
crabs and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and the visitors.
Along
with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the
state languages. The national language Hindi is also well understood in most areas
around the state.
Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences the
Goans had to endure during the centuries. The staple food in Goa is fish and rice,
both among the Hindus and the Catholics. Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan
food is not strongly influenced by the Portuguese cuisine.
Since the arrival
of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been a major destination on the itinerary
of international and domestic tourists.
The tourist season in Goa begins
in late September and carries on through early March. The weather in these months
is usually dry and pleasantly cool.
Then the weather gets fairly hot around
May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with
sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during the monsoon
that Goa is probably at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around.
Besides
the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love
the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all,
more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know
how to relax.
Goa Places to SeeMormugao
Harbour: It is 34 Kms. from Panaji and 4 Kms. from Vasco-da-Gama. It is one
of the fine natural anchorages on the West coast of India and the hub of intense
maritime activity.
Panaji: The capital of Goa and headquarters of North
Goa District, a small a charming city on the left bank of silvery Mandovi River,
with beautiful red-roofed houses, built in Latin style, also boasts of many modern
houses, well laid garden, statues and avenue's lined with Gulmohar, Acassia and
other trees. Enchantit panorama unfolds from atop Altinho (Hill Top).
Mapusa:
It is 13 Kms. from Panaji. The capital of Bardez Taluka, on the national highway,
is the cross roads of the network of highways covering whole of Northern Goa.
Weekly
fair on Friday, is held at the modem streamlined market, attended by large crowds.
Margao: It is 33 Kms. from Panaji. The Capital of South Goa District
in the hinterland of southern Goa in Salcete Taluka is a thriving commercial metropolis
linked by rail to the rest of India & Mormugao Harbour and by national highways,
with Maharashtra and Karnataka.
It has imposing old mansions and modern
buildings.
Pilar: It is 11 kms. from Panaji. It has important religious
and educational centre of Christian Missionaries. The Church, Seminary and School
atop hillock command a magnificent panorama of the country side around and a fine
view of Mormugao Harbour & Zuari river.
Ponda: Ponda can be
described as the Hindu heart of Goa. It is famous for the five important temples
that are situated around the town, and also has the largest mosque in Goa. Most
of these temples look relatively new as they have been restored after being destroyed
by the Portuguese. That explains why there are no temples around the coast, which
was the prime territory of the Portuguese. Ponda is also an important transport
link.
Vasco-da-Gama: It is 30 kms. from Panaji. A modem, well laid
out city close to Mormugs Harbour, has beautiful and extensive avenues. The air
terminus of Goa at Dabolim lies on the outskirts of the city. It is also the railway
terminus for passenger service in the South Central Railway.
Goa
Beaches
Goa is one of India's special tourist places that can boast
of fantastic weather, fabulous beaches, wonderful people, mouth-watering cuisine,
forts.
There are beaches far from human habitation with very basic or
sometimes no facility for accommodation. Then there are some with ultra modern
comforts like internet cafes, massage centers, gyms, swimming pools, night clubs,
etc. With such an enormous choice, one might feel confused about which one to
take.
Goa is one of India's special tourist places that can boast of fantastic
weather, fabulous beaches, wonderful people, mouth-watering cuisine, forts. There
are beaches far from human habitation with very basic or sometimes no facility
for accommodation. Then there are some with ultra modern comforts like internet
cafes, massage centers, gyms, swimming pools, night clubs, etc. With such an enormous
choice, one might feel confused about which one to take.
Anjuna Beach:
Anjuna, 18 kms from Panaji is a popular beach area adjacent to Chapora fort- it
was the haunt of the flower generation in the sixties - and is still popular with
the younger generation.
Calangute Beach: Calangute is the beach
to which everyone heads for the moment they land in Goa. So it is natural that
it is overcrowded in both in peak and off seasons
Dona Paula Beach:
7 kms from Panaji. An idyllic picturesque spot. Command a fine view of the Zuari
river and Mormugao Harbour. Water scootering facilities are available here.
Arambol
Beach: Arambol Beach is 50 kms from Panaji. A unique beach in the North Goa,
is both rocky and sandy beach and much sought after.
Palolem Beach:
It’s a beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. The little
wooded islands on the northern headland look interesting but as we’ve never
ventured onto any of them we don’t know what landing on them would be like.
Agonda
Beach: If you continue driving towards Panaji from Palolem, the next beach
is Agonda. It’s long and lonely, fringed with palms and casuarinas and dominated
by a large hill to the south.
Vagator Beach: This beautiful beach
is located about 22 Kms from Panaji and is situated in Bardez taluka. This is
part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the
arabian sea that begins at Fort Aguada continues as Sinquerim beach.
Miramar
Beach: This beautiful beach is located about 3kms from Panaji. It lies adjoining
the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian sea. It was originally
known as the "Gasper Dias Beach".
Colva Beach: This is
the most important beach in the south circuit equipped with all modern amenities
like air-conditioned resort complexes, tourist cottages, discos, seashell artefact
stalls, refreshment stalls, eateries, guest houses, expanding the village enormously.
Goa
ChurchesOne of Goa's important institutions, Goa's famous and magnificent
churches are largely a legacy of Portuguese colonization
Church building
was one of the main occupations of the early Portuguese and in fact one of Vasco
da Gama's main missions for finding the sea route to India was to "seek Christians
and spices".
Christianity was forced upon with religious fervor by
the Portuguese during the period of the "Inquisition" with wide scale
destruction of temples and this continued till the official end of the "Inquisition"
in Goa in 1812. Most of Goa's churches were built on the very site of former temples.
The confiscated lands of the temples were handed over to the church and the communidades.
In fact, the first Hindu temple allowed to be constructed by the Portuguese in
300 years was in 1818 at Panaji.
With a significant population of Goans
being Christians for many generations today, the Church is an important factor
in Goa's social , cultural and religious life. For example, the contribution of
the Church to education in Goa is immense. Today the churches are all part of
the Archdiocese of Goa and function with its help, many are also protected sites.
Se
Cathedral Church: One of the most ancient and celebrated religious buildings
of Goa, this magnificent 16th century monument.
Ruins of Church of St.
Augustine: This highly visible landmark, a 46m-high tower served as a belfry
and formed part of the facade of a magnificent Church.
The Church of
St. Anne at Talaulim. Ilhas: Of all the churches in Goa, the most ostentious
and notable for its excellent architeture is that of St Anne.
Basilica
of Bom Jesus: This is the only church in Old Goa, which is not plastered on
the outside, the lime plaster having been stripped off by a zealous Portuguese
conservationist in 1950.
Reis Magos Church: The small hamlet of
Reis Magos lies on banks of the Mandovi river and is home to two famous landmarks
of Goa - the Reis Magos fort and the Reis Magos Church.
St. Cajetan
Church: The large and beautiful Church of St. Cajetan, lies about half a kilometer
away to the north east of the Se Cathedral, and quite near the ruins of the Viceregal
Palace.
Church of St. Francis of Assissi: To the west of the Se
Cathedral is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral
to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi.
Church of St Paul:
It was started as a seminary of the Holy Faith for training young converts by
two priests Diogo de Borba and Miguel Vaz who had established the Santa Fé
confraternity.
Church of Mary Immaculate Conception: The church
was one of the first to be built in Goa, certainly being there by 1541.
How
to Reach GoaGoa by AirDabolim is the main entry point
for Goa situated at a distance of around 29 km from Panaji on the coast near Vasco
da Gama. Most domestic airlines operate in Goa apart from chartered private airlines
operating from UK and Germany. Indian Airlines has direct flights from Delhi and
Mumbai daily. Air India also flies to Goa.
Goa by RailIt is
not difficult to reach Goa by trains, especially after opening of the Konakan
Railway that connects Margao and Vasco da Gama to major cities in India. You can
take trains from Delhi 1,874 km), Mumbai (490km), and Bangalore (430 km) to reach
Goa comfortably. From the railway stations, you can hire taxis and motorcycle
taxis to reach the desired destinations.
Goa by RoadGoa, Maharashtra,
and Karnataka state transport corporations operate from the Kadamba bus stand
at Panaji. Frank Shipping operates a boat service between Mumbai and Panaji.
Moving
around in Goa is quite easy. One can find bus as well as car rental services.
A unique experience is that of the motorcycle taxi. Several ferry services are
also available.
