Goa

Geography

Goa is one of the smallest states of India, comprises a mainland district on the country's western coast and an offshore island, it is located 250 miles (400 kilometres) south of Bombay. It is sand witched by the states of Maharashtra on the north and Karnataka on the east and south and by the Arabian Sea on the west. The total area is 1,429 square miles (3,702 square kilometres). The capital is Panaji (Panjim). Formerly Goa was a Portuguese possession. It was annexed by India in 1962 and attained statehood in 1987.

History

Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India is situated between the borders of Maharastra and Karnataka.
Goa was under the rule of the Portuguese for over 450 years.
The territory of Goa, Daman & Diu was liberated from the Portuguese rule in the year 1961.
Goa attained statehood on 30th May, 1987.

Goa Attraction

Panaji : 29kms north of Dabolim airport in Goa. Panaji is the capital of Goa.
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).

Called Panjim by the Portuguese, Panaji, which means "the land that does not flood" is the state capital of Goa. Unlike many other capital cities, Panaji has a distinct relaxed character. Most visitors consider Panaji as little more than a transport hub, but this lovely state capital has retained its Portuguese heritage and releases an aura more close to the Mediterranean than of India. In the oldest part of the town, the Portuguese heritage has survived remarkably well; there are narrow winding streets, old houses with over changing balconies and red-tiled roofs whitewashed churches and numerous small bar and cafes. Portuguese sign are still visible over many premises.

The sights are few, but among those worth visiting are the old Church of the Immaculate Conception (on the hillside at one end of the Municipal Gardens) and the Mahalakshmi Temple. The nearest beach is at Miramar, 3 Km along the road to Dona Paula.

Mapusa : Mapusa (pronounced as Mapsa by the locals) is Goa's third largest town and the capital of the northern Bardez taluka. It is mainly a market town for the surrounding beach areas of Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna and Baga among others. Even its name is thought to be derived from the Konkani word for a measure - "map" and the phrase fill up - "sa".

Margoa : Madgaon is the second largest town in Goa after Panaji. This capital of Salcete taluka, is a busy provincial town with distinct marks of the former Portuguese presence. It was once a major religious centre with dozens of wealthy temples and dharamsalas. Most of these were razed by the Portuguese in the seventeenth century and Catholic Churches built in their place.

Six kilometers away is the Rachol Seminary and Church, built in 1610. Located near Raia village, the architecture of this church, is a fine blend of Christian characters in Indian styles. Its museum or art has interesting displays of antique silver, a mobile mass kit, a 17th century silver monstrance in the shape of a swan and textiles.

Goa Beaches

Dona Paula : At the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula is a village named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the wife of a noble man Antonio de Souto Maior, who died as a young woman in 1682. A white pavilion stands on a rocky islet at the end of the bay.

Located 7-km from Panjim, nestled on the south side of the rocky, hammer-shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries, this former fishing village of has now become a commercialized beach resort. Beside the beach water sports attractions, do visit the official residence of the Governor of Goa, known as Cabo Raj Bhavan, situated on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula. Along the road leading to this place lies the ruins of the small military cemetery the British built at their brief occupation of the Cabo, to deter the French from invading Goa.

Arjuna Beach : With its fluorescent painted palm trees and full moon parties, Anjuna Beach, 8-km west of Mapusa, is one of the most popular beaches of Goa. Most people's reasons for coming to Anjuna are the same as they were in the 1970s: dancing and lying on the beach slurping tropical fruit. While browsing in the area have a day trip to the famous flea market of Anjuna, a major shopping hangout, beside the beach.



Calangute Beach : Calangute, a 45-minute bus ride up the coast from Panaji, is Goa's busiest resort. A haven for hippies in the 70's and 80's, it is now frequented by domestic travelers while the overseas traveller prefers the adjacent Baga beach. Calangute has moved away from a time when there were makeshift shacks and quaint lodging places with an old-world charm, to being an over-crowded beach with accommodation cheek by jowl boasting air-conditioned rooms, swimming pools and lush lawns. Several small hotels have sprung up behind the row of coconut trees along the main road that runs from the bustling central market square to nearby Baga.

Baga Beach: Baga Beach is part of a 30-km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian Sea, 10-km west of Mapusa, is basically an extension of Calangute beach. Lying in the rocky, wooded headland, the only difference between this far northern end of the Baga beach and its more congested center of Calangute Beach is that the scenery of this beach site is more varied, unspoiled and scenic.

Colva Beach : Colva is by far the most popular of South Goa beaches, famous for its white sands and is to South Goa what Calangute is to the North Goa. For those who like to be where the action is Colva is the place in South Goa, with lots of resorts, shops and activity. For those who prefer more tranquil surroundings, there are smaller places to stay at within 20 minutes walking distance on either side of Colva. There are a number of restaurants on either side of the road leading up to the beach and the numerous shacks on the beach provide less variety but equally good quality of food. Colva is only a 20 minute ride by bus from the town of Margao.

Goa Festivals

Goa Carnival : The carnival is held in February for three days and nights, when the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with music and colour. Then begins the weeklong event, which is a time of unbridled festivity and merry-making, which has been celebrated since the 18th Century.

The carnival is meant to be a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the austere 40 days of Lent. Huge parades are organized throughout the state with bands, dances and floats out all night on the streets, and grand balls held in the evenings. The carnival concludes with the famous red-and-black dance held by the Club National in Panajim on the final day.

Goa Climate

The average temperature varies between 23°C - 32°C. The average rainfall is approximately 250cms, the average daily hours of sunshine is nine to ten hours in summer and three to five hours during the monsoon.

How To Reach Goa

Flight : Dabolim Airport, 30-km from the state capital Panaji, has coach services operating to and from the airport.

Train : The Konkan Railway makes Goa easily accessible by rail from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Mangalore, Ernakulam and Thiruvanantapuram. Goa is also linked to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune via Londa.

Road : There are interstate bus services to Mumbai (16 hrs), Mangalore, Bangalore, Pune, Londa, Hubli, Hampi and Hospet.