Goa
Overview:
For those in search of tropical bliss; the abundance of boundless swaying palms, fringing the golden white sandy beaches and the sparkling sea water of Goa, transforms it into a veritable paradise for such a traveler. Goa welcomes one and all with its idyllic lifestyle, lush mountain ranges, the magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have all made Goa a favorite with travelers around the world. Delve into the past or laze around in the present; the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ can spoil the traveler with choices. There’s a wealth of history in this former Portuguese colony of Goa, plus an abundance of beaches, for sun worshippers and tranquility seekers. It is also the land of mangos and mangroves. Goa, is a "Tourist Paradise" and has been a holiday destination since colonial times, when British troops and officials used to travel here from across the country for a spot of ‘rest and recreation’. It is a paradise for tourists and a haven for beach lovers - a charming place where the waves relentlessly thrash against the magnificent coastline, the clean white expanse of sand stretches from the rolling dunes of the Sahyadri mountain ranges to the turquoise of the Arabian Sea; the wafting aroma of a variety of mouth-watering delicacies pull you in, the melancholy strains of ‘fado’ occasionally stir the bougainvillea-scented breeze, and the party never seems to stops.
Flanked by a wall of mountains and hundreds of miles of un-navigable alluvial plain, Goa remained aloof from the wider subcontinent and was generally excluded from the mainstream of Indian history. On the flipside, its control of the seas and the lucrative spice trade made it a much-coveted prize for rival colonial powers. Liberated by the Indian Army from the Portuguese colonization on December 19, 1961; Goa, 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. It is also the smallest by area; standing fourth by population. Bounded by the state of Maharashtra, to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea, forms its western coast. The state's capital is Panaji, and Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants and conquered it soon there-after; is still reminiscent and exhibited by the historic city of Margao, The overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years until it was annexed by India in 1961. The then Golden Goa is now survived by half-a-dozen crumbling yet exquisite and imposing architecture of churches and cathedrals (which are among the largest in Asia). Today, these serve as a vivid precursor to the generations that followed from the times of the fabled land of Goa.
Formerly the preserve of working-class Britishers and Scandinavians; Goa, today is a surreal sight. One can savor a diverse range of cultures, with the rustic Portuguese aura blending in perfectly into an Indian background. In the early sixties to the late seventies, the pristine beaches of Goa were a haven and provided refuge to the hippies. Ever since Goa, has been immutably casting off its reputation as a druggy drop-out zone. Bolstered by iron-ore exports and a booming tourist industry, Goa has perpetually prospered post independence. It is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. Goa has attained a full-fledged statehood, with its own council of ministers, a magnificent new Assembly complex. Goans are among the most literate in the country. This emerald of a miniature state, is much more than just pristine beaches and sea, having been the meeting point of diverse races, religions and cultures from the East and West, over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle which is languidly idyllic, and in stark contrast from the rest of India. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions with equal enthusiasm. Goa attracts more than two million visitors annually to its balmy shores. The beaches serve as a magnet for serene hedonists. The tourist-centric scene with an international flair which is now skewing more hip than hippie is prevalent in the north of the state while diversions from the beach is provided by the south in the form of temples, mosques, wildlife sanctuaries, stretches of unspoiled sand and an escape from large resorts. A culturally undemanding place, Goa has a multitudinous, peaceful and cosmopolitan school of visitors trooping from all around the globe. A contemporary traveler would traverse to Goa, to regularize oneself with the soothing serenity of a day on its beaches, watch the mesmeric sunsets over the Arabian Sea, which paint the sky in kaleidoscopic hues and dance like lunatics amidst the legions of night-long open-air raves on full-moon nights; or find relatively quiet corners of solitude, to recuperate from the travails of life.
Apart from the exquisite pleasure of warm sand between the toes, there’s far more to discover. Once can wander around a vanilla-scented spice plantation, stroll across the state's gentle rivers with their bird-filled banks, poke around centuries-old cathedrals, and venture out to white-water waterfalls. Whether inside its buildings or the hinterland away from the coastal region, it is behind the veils of its interiors that much of the real Goa, coyly rests. Magnificent beaches to swim or parasail or to savor the unique cuisine and imbibe its spirits, to simple pleasures such as taking long and invigorating treks in its unexplored interiors or to gawk and marvel at the majestic temples and churches, to be at one with the friendly local people and nature. Elephant rides, bullfighting, nightclubs, fine dining and pleasure boat cruises (onboard which one is often able to spot dolphins and porpoises) and a myriad of wildlife sanctuaries.
A much-featured destination on the World Tourism map, Goa offers, diverse landscapes, wide sandy palm-fringed beaches, clean waters and an aura of serenity. Goa is truly a place where entertainment/entertainers/people from all over the globe unite under the same astrological alignment, to co-exist peacefully.
Although tropically located, Goa has a coastal climate and remains pleasant throughout the year. Low humidity and sure-fire sun make Goa particularly alluring in the interval between late-November and mid March; the weather is comparatively cool and dry. The full blast of the infamous Indian monsoon sweeps through Goa by the end of June. However, Goa is at its most beautiful during this season, as the monsoon burgeons forth the sprouting of greenery all around.
Places to Visit:
The Basilica of Bom Jesus: Constructed in the 16th century, this magnificent edifice enshrines a silver casket containing the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The public viewing of the remains of the saint, still never ceases to lure huge number of devotees, from all over the globe. The saint is considered to have miraculous healing powers. This Jesuit church is one of the oldest churches in India, having marble inlaid with precious stones comprising its floors and elaborate gilded altars. It is also rendered as world heritage site by UNESCO. This is India’s first minor basilica, and is considered to be among the best examples of the baroque style of architecture in India. There are many other grand churches in Goa that people can visit on the same day by hiring a car so it is easy for them to go from one place to the other.
Old Goa: Located in the north district of Goa, it was constructed in the fifteenth century by the Bijapur Sultanate. It was the capital of Portuguese India. Once the ecclesiastical wonder of the Eastern world the remains of Old Goa are covered in the list of world heritage sites by UNESCO. It is roughly ten kilometers away from Panaji. One can shiver in the shiver in the shadows of grand cathedrals, or get lost in its old world charm. The roads can get crowded on weekends, especially in the ten days leading up to the ‘Feast of St Francis Xavier’. Architecture enthusiasts can purchase the useful guide ‘Old Goa’ (available from the archaeological museum for Rs.10), which is published by The Archaeological Survey of India.
Beaches of Baga, Vagator, Anjuna, Sinquerim and Calangute: These beaches are among the most popular. They are relevant all through the year. Treat yourself to the unique goan cuisine, or sample the local beach food. Observe the hip and the hippies at Anjuna's riotous Wednesday market. Shop for, cheap clothing and textiles, different produces and souvenirs. Get a slice of small-town India. Midrange tourists can take advantage of the comfy new hotels. Although, much less mellow than in the heady days of the early sixties, there are still some fabulous full moon parties held in Anjuna. The pristine beaches offer various water-sporting activities as well.
Things To Do:
Goa Carnival: The carnival celebrations were initiated when Goa was the solitary Portuguese colony in India, almost 500 years back. The culture of riotous celebrations, were initially popular even in ancient Rome and Greece, which later became famous in Spain and Portugal as well. Hence when Goa was colonized by the Portuguese, the carnival to Goa was born. The carnival is full flared Goan affair with hints of Portuguese. It is also one of the most important and awaited event. The entire state of Goa gets decked up with colorful streamers and ribbons. Preparations for the carnival start from early December itself. The revelry includes entourages of fire- eaters, acrobats, clowns, jesters, dancers, brass bands and revelers who parade down the main street of Panaji. Music, dance and short plays depicting the tradition and culture of Goa also features in the revelry. The Goa carnival starts 8th of February.
Feast of St. Francis Xavier: The feast celebrates the public viewing of the remains of St. Francis Xavier’s mortal body at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Processions and services rope in the feast celebrations, in Old Goa; on 3rd December. The feast of the patron saint of Goa is celebrated on the day he died in 1552. The feast is attended by pilgrims from all over the world. Stalls selling sweetmeats, toys, clothing, etc line the streets, with their goods and produce.
New Year’s Eve: Rhapsodic and exuberant celebrations on the 31st of December, in the form of all-night street parties and beach parties ensue. Some of the best music artists from around the globe are roped in to perform during this period.
For those in search of tropical bliss; the abundance of boundless swaying palms, fringing the golden white sandy beaches and the sparkling sea water of Goa, transforms it into a veritable paradise for such a traveler. Goa welcomes one and all with its idyllic lifestyle, lush mountain ranges, the magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have all made Goa a favorite with travelers around the world. Delve into the past or laze around in the present; the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ can spoil the traveler with choices. There’s a wealth of history in this former Portuguese colony of Goa, plus an abundance of beaches, for sun worshippers and tranquility seekers. It is also the land of mangos and mangroves. Goa, is a "Tourist Paradise" and has been a holiday destination since colonial times, when British troops and officials used to travel here from across the country for a spot of ‘rest and recreation’. It is a paradise for tourists and a haven for beach lovers - a charming place where the waves relentlessly thrash against the magnificent coastline, the clean white expanse of sand stretches from the rolling dunes of the Sahyadri mountain ranges to the turquoise of the Arabian Sea; the wafting aroma of a variety of mouth-watering delicacies pull you in, the melancholy strains of ‘fado’ occasionally stir the bougainvillea-scented breeze, and the party never seems to stops.
Flanked by a wall of mountains and hundreds of miles of un-navigable alluvial plain, Goa remained aloof from the wider subcontinent and was generally excluded from the mainstream of Indian history. On the flipside, its control of the seas and the lucrative spice trade made it a much-coveted prize for rival colonial powers. Liberated by the Indian Army from the Portuguese colonization on December 19, 1961; Goa, 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. It is also the smallest by area; standing fourth by population. Bounded by the state of Maharashtra, to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea, forms its western coast. The state's capital is Panaji, and Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants and conquered it soon there-after; is still reminiscent and exhibited by the historic city of Margao, The overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years until it was annexed by India in 1961. The then Golden Goa is now survived by half-a-dozen crumbling yet exquisite and imposing architecture of churches and cathedrals (which are among the largest in Asia). Today, these serve as a vivid precursor to the generations that followed from the times of the fabled land of Goa.
Formerly the preserve of working-class Britishers and Scandinavians; Goa, today is a surreal sight. One can savor a diverse range of cultures, with the rustic Portuguese aura blending in perfectly into an Indian background. In the early sixties to the late seventies, the pristine beaches of Goa were a haven and provided refuge to the hippies. Ever since Goa, has been immutably casting off its reputation as a druggy drop-out zone. Bolstered by iron-ore exports and a booming tourist industry, Goa has perpetually prospered post independence. It is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. Goa has attained a full-fledged statehood, with its own council of ministers, a magnificent new Assembly complex. Goans are among the most literate in the country. This emerald of a miniature state, is much more than just pristine beaches and sea, having been the meeting point of diverse races, religions and cultures from the East and West, over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle which is languidly idyllic, and in stark contrast from the rest of India. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions with equal enthusiasm. Goa attracts more than two million visitors annually to its balmy shores. The beaches serve as a magnet for serene hedonists. The tourist-centric scene with an international flair which is now skewing more hip than hippie is prevalent in the north of the state while diversions from the beach is provided by the south in the form of temples, mosques, wildlife sanctuaries, stretches of unspoiled sand and an escape from large resorts. A culturally undemanding place, Goa has a multitudinous, peaceful and cosmopolitan school of visitors trooping from all around the globe. A contemporary traveler would traverse to Goa, to regularize oneself with the soothing serenity of a day on its beaches, watch the mesmeric sunsets over the Arabian Sea, which paint the sky in kaleidoscopic hues and dance like lunatics amidst the legions of night-long open-air raves on full-moon nights; or find relatively quiet corners of solitude, to recuperate from the travails of life.
Apart from the exquisite pleasure of warm sand between the toes, there’s far more to discover. Once can wander around a vanilla-scented spice plantation, stroll across the state's gentle rivers with their bird-filled banks, poke around centuries-old cathedrals, and venture out to white-water waterfalls. Whether inside its buildings or the hinterland away from the coastal region, it is behind the veils of its interiors that much of the real Goa, coyly rests. Magnificent beaches to swim or parasail or to savor the unique cuisine and imbibe its spirits, to simple pleasures such as taking long and invigorating treks in its unexplored interiors or to gawk and marvel at the majestic temples and churches, to be at one with the friendly local people and nature. Elephant rides, bullfighting, nightclubs, fine dining and pleasure boat cruises (onboard which one is often able to spot dolphins and porpoises) and a myriad of wildlife sanctuaries.
A much-featured destination on the World Tourism map, Goa offers, diverse landscapes, wide sandy palm-fringed beaches, clean waters and an aura of serenity. Goa is truly a place where entertainment/entertainers/people from all over the globe unite under the same astrological alignment, to co-exist peacefully.
Although tropically located, Goa has a coastal climate and remains pleasant throughout the year. Low humidity and sure-fire sun make Goa particularly alluring in the interval between late-November and mid March; the weather is comparatively cool and dry. The full blast of the infamous Indian monsoon sweeps through Goa by the end of June. However, Goa is at its most beautiful during this season, as the monsoon burgeons forth the sprouting of greenery all around.
Places to Visit:
The Basilica of Bom Jesus: Constructed in the 16th century, this magnificent edifice enshrines a silver casket containing the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The public viewing of the remains of the saint, still never ceases to lure huge number of devotees, from all over the globe. The saint is considered to have miraculous healing powers. This Jesuit church is one of the oldest churches in India, having marble inlaid with precious stones comprising its floors and elaborate gilded altars. It is also rendered as world heritage site by UNESCO. This is India’s first minor basilica, and is considered to be among the best examples of the baroque style of architecture in India. There are many other grand churches in Goa that people can visit on the same day by hiring a car so it is easy for them to go from one place to the other.
Old Goa: Located in the north district of Goa, it was constructed in the fifteenth century by the Bijapur Sultanate. It was the capital of Portuguese India. Once the ecclesiastical wonder of the Eastern world the remains of Old Goa are covered in the list of world heritage sites by UNESCO. It is roughly ten kilometers away from Panaji. One can shiver in the shiver in the shadows of grand cathedrals, or get lost in its old world charm. The roads can get crowded on weekends, especially in the ten days leading up to the ‘Feast of St Francis Xavier’. Architecture enthusiasts can purchase the useful guide ‘Old Goa’ (available from the archaeological museum for Rs.10), which is published by The Archaeological Survey of India.
Beaches of Baga, Vagator, Anjuna, Sinquerim and Calangute: These beaches are among the most popular. They are relevant all through the year. Treat yourself to the unique goan cuisine, or sample the local beach food. Observe the hip and the hippies at Anjuna's riotous Wednesday market. Shop for, cheap clothing and textiles, different produces and souvenirs. Get a slice of small-town India. Midrange tourists can take advantage of the comfy new hotels. Although, much less mellow than in the heady days of the early sixties, there are still some fabulous full moon parties held in Anjuna. The pristine beaches offer various water-sporting activities as well.
Things To Do:
Goa Carnival: The carnival celebrations were initiated when Goa was the solitary Portuguese colony in India, almost 500 years back. The culture of riotous celebrations, were initially popular even in ancient Rome and Greece, which later became famous in Spain and Portugal as well. Hence when Goa was colonized by the Portuguese, the carnival to Goa was born. The carnival is full flared Goan affair with hints of Portuguese. It is also one of the most important and awaited event. The entire state of Goa gets decked up with colorful streamers and ribbons. Preparations for the carnival start from early December itself. The revelry includes entourages of fire- eaters, acrobats, clowns, jesters, dancers, brass bands and revelers who parade down the main street of Panaji. Music, dance and short plays depicting the tradition and culture of Goa also features in the revelry. The Goa carnival starts 8th of February.
Feast of St. Francis Xavier: The feast celebrates the public viewing of the remains of St. Francis Xavier’s mortal body at the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Processions and services rope in the feast celebrations, in Old Goa; on 3rd December. The feast of the patron saint of Goa is celebrated on the day he died in 1552. The feast is attended by pilgrims from all over the world. Stalls selling sweetmeats, toys, clothing, etc line the streets, with their goods and produce.
New Year’s Eve: Rhapsodic and exuberant celebrations on the 31st of December, in the form of all-night street parties and beach parties ensue. Some of the best music artists from around the globe are roped in to perform during this period.
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