Marvellous, unspoilt expanses of palm-fringed sands and blue seas, warmed by the sun and local hospitality, relaxed life styles enlivened by the Goan love of music and dance and spiced by its superb cuisine, make for a heady mixture that is difficult to resist.
Located about half way down the west coast of India, Goa is a lush green paradise edged on the one side by the wooded foothills of the Sahyadri range and on the other by the Arabian Sea.
More than 450 years of Portuguese rule preceded by Hindu and Muslim supremacy have made 'Sunny
Goa' an exciting amalgam of cultures. Imposing churches, forts perched on high promontories, delightful old mansions and villas and picturesque whitewashed villages set amidst velvety paddy fields are all a part of this exciting heritage.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The scenic capital of Goa, Panaji is located along the river Mandovi. Tiers of white washed red tile - roofed buildings rising up the hill side give it a Mediterranean
flavour. Panaji is noted for its fine buildings. The present Government Secretariat is located along the river. Once the Governor's residence, it was built at the site of the palace of Adil Shah, the ruler of
Bijapur. The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception dominates the city square and its steps zig zag up the hill.
Margao is a major commercial centre. It also has some beautiful old houses and churches. The towns of Vasco da Gama and the Mormugao Port are close by. Mapusa is another town with great charm that comes alive each Friday when a local market springs up.
BEACHES
At every twist and turn of the undulating Goan coast there are alluring little coves or bays each completely different and each with its own special charm.
Along the coast are picturesque villages with tall white washed churches and red tiled houses that nestle into the lush green of the Goan countryside.
In North Goa, some of the finest beaches are etched against tall laterite cliffs. These include Sinquerim, Calangute,
Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and Chapora with an old fort overlooking the beach.
The Arambol beach has a delightful fresh water pond at the base of a verdant slope. The Tiracol fort at the northern - most extremity of the territory, built on a tall promontory has a splendid view over the sea.
The southern beaches with their expanses of sparkling white sand and calm sea include
Bogmalo, Utorda, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim and Mobor. The tiny bay at
Palolem, is especially beautiful.
CHURCHES
Velha Goa the old capital of the Portuguese, is practically an open air museum. The magnificent l6th century city once known as
Goa Dourada (Golden
Goa) rivalled the European cities in splendour and wealth. Today some of that grandeur can be seen in the imposing churches, convents and monasteries that remain. They have high vaulted roofs and
lavish baroque interiors with carved and gilded altar pieces and statues.
The majestic Tuscan style Se Cathedral dedicated to St. Catherine da Se has some of the finest examples of religious art. The little chapels that lie off the main nave are beautifully ornamented in different styles. Nearby is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The Archaeological Museum is housed in the adjacent convent.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus enshrines the miraculously preserved remains of St. Francis Xavier - displayed in an exquisitely crafted silver casket resting on a multi-hued Italian marble base. The imposing structure supported externally by buttresses has an elaborately gilded altar.
The St. Cajetan Church close by, modelled on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, is topped by a dome.
Halfway up a nearby hill is the massive Convent of St. Monica constructed in 1627 AD, and at the top are the majestic ruins of the St. Augustine's Church.
TEMPLES
Goa's many charming temples are built in a style that incorporates Hindu, Islamic and Christian architectural elements. Many as located in the vicinity of Ponda,
a mere 20 kms away from Panaji.
In the l6th century, when Portuguese persecution was at its peak and temples were being destroyed,
deities from ancient shrines were stealthily smuggled out across the border into the adjoining area of
Antruz, now Ponda.
In the 18th century these makeshift shrines were converted into graceful temples and built in a style unique to
Goa. These complexes have elaborate deepa stambhas, domes in place of shikaras which are crowned by
kalasas, saracenic arches, traditional mandapas and temple tanks.
Among the most revered temples in this area are the Shri Manguesh Temple in
Priol, the Shri Naguesh Temple, the temple of Shri Mahalsa Narayani, a folk deity, the Shri Ramnathi Temple at Kavalem and the Shri Shanta Durga Temple, a shrine to Durga worshipped unusually in a peaceful avatar.
Up in the hills, safe from the depredations of the invaders, is the sole surviving example of Kadamba temple architecture. Built in black basalt stone the Mahadeva Temple at Tamdi Surla is adorned with sculpted monolithic pillars and niches and delicately carved bas
reliefs.
MOSQUE
At Ponda is the elegant Safa Mosque buit in 1560, evidence of Goa's Muslim past.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Four attractive wildlife sanctuaries preserve thick forests and habitats along the slopes of the Western
Ghats.
These include the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km east of Panaji), the Bondla Sanctuary (55 km from
Panaji) and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km south of Panaji). The wet deciduous forests of these preserves have abundant birdlife and are the habitat of animals like the bison, leopard, sloth bear,
sambar, chital, pangolin, etc.
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on the island of Chorao along the river Mandovi, close to Panaji, has mangrove forests and varieties of water birds visiting from as far as Siberia.
FESTIVALS
Christmas is a special time of almost universal festivity. Families get together and an air of excitement
pervades the state. Various local Christian and Hindu festivities include the Feast days of patron saints of villages and temple festivals.
In February/March the Carnival is celebrated for four days with colourful processions, floats and dances at Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a very special festival for Goans. During the days of celebration people return to their ancestral homes and the little villages and towns hum with excitements, as various ceremonies are observed.
Diwali is celebrated as the victory of good over evil and effigies of Narkasur are burnt throughout the state.
The Shigmotsav is the local version of the festival of Holi which is celebrated for one week. Parades with colourful floats with mythological themes are taken out in all major towns.
ACCESS TO GOA
By Air: Goa is well connected by air. There are daily flights from the Dabolim Airport to Bombay, Delhi,
Bangalore and
Pune. Charter flights from countries like UK, Germany, Holland, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark and other European countries come directly
to Goa , between October to May.
By Rail: The Konkan Railway makes Goa easily accessible by rail from cities like Delhi, Bombay,
Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Ernakulam and Thiruvanantapuram.
By Road: Well connected by road, the National Highways 4A, 17 and 17A
pass through
Goa.
Bus Services: The state run Kadamba Transport Corporation, other State Roadways and private bus operators have services between Goa and destinations in the adjoining states of
Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Local Transport: Tourist taxis are easily available and operate on point to point fares. For short distances around the town, auto-rickshaws are available.
Peculiar to Goa are the motor cycles taxis that operate all through the area. Motor bikes are also available on hire for visitors. Launches and flat bottomed ferries operate on certain sections of the waterways.
A range of vehicles - cars, jeeps, mini-buses, coaches and luxury coaches for individuals or groups are available on hire.
