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| Population |
1,170,000 |
| Area |
3700 sq. km |
| Principal Languages |
Konkani, Hindi, English, Marathi,
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| Best Time to Visit |
October to May |
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| GOA |
"The
pearl of the east," Goa is known
for its Gothic churches, crumbling forts, palm-fringed
beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, bubbly folk music…
the list is endless! With its 131-km-long coastline,
Goa is an important locale in every
tourist's itinerary. Sun, sand and sea being the major
attractions, Goa is a perfect heaven
for the ones who need and want relaxation.
Goa was a part of the
Mauryan Empire, around 3rd century BC. The Satvahanas
of Kolhapur, and later the Chalukyas of Badami, took
over the governance. Other dynasties followed, including
a short-lived Muslim invasion, until the Vijaynagar
Empire established itself for almost a century. This
era, too, ended with the arrival of the Sultans of Gulbarga,
from whom the rule passed on to the Adil Shah of Bijapur.
Soon, the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese, all
began struggling for its possession. Ultimately, in
1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa,
with Alfonso de Albuquerque leading the invasion. Having
ruled for around four centuries, in 1961, fourteen years
after the country's independence, the Portuguese had
to leave Goa.
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| LOCATION |
| Situated on the western coastline
of India, the Union Territory of Goa
is sandwiched between the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The capital Panaji is at a distance of 592 km from Bangalore
and 593 km from Mumbai. The waters of the Arabian Sea
wash the coastline of Goa. It is split
into two districts-North Goa (STD Code:
0832) and South Goa (STD Code: 0834).
North Goa includes the capital city of
Panjim, the former capital of Old Goa,
Fort Aguada and Candolim, Chapora, Vagator, and the beaches
Calangute, Anjuna, and Baga. South Goa
includes Vasco da Gama Bogmalo, Margao, Colva and Benolem.
Being near to the sea, Goa enjoys a maritime
climate, with April and May being very hot. |
| PLACES TO VISIT |
In the local dialect, Goa
is often referred to as "Goa
Dourada," (meaning "Golden Goa")
because of its beaches, forts, churches, waterfalls,
seminaries, and caves.
"The queen of Indian beaches,"
Calangute is a stretch of 7 km. Baga beach is a handy
commuting point to Anjuna. At a distance of 7 km from
Panaji is the beach of Dona Paula, which is a good
site for relaxation and sunbathing. At a distance
of 6 km away from Margao is another beach, Colva,
which offers good accommodation. Calangute, Baga,
Candolim, Colva are dominated by package tourism.
Anjuna, the traditional rave center is popular with
the bag packers. Benaulim falls between hype and hip,
and is filled with beach shacks and low-key resorts.
Arambol in the north and Palolem in the south are
idyllic by nature. Other famous beaches include Miramar
and Agonda.
The Dudhsagar waterfall and Arvalem
waterfall attract many tourists every year. The rock-cut
caves of Khandepar and Arvalem are also worth mentioning.
The Pilar monastery, Saligao seminary, and Rachol
seminary attract the religious minded travelers.
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While nature
has been so generous to Goa, man too
has contributed a lot to Goa's beauty.
The strong Roman Catholic community, with the active
support of the erstwhile Portuguese rulers, has had
a number of churches built in this picturesque locale.
In Panaji, one must visit the church dedicated to our
Lady of Immaculate Conception, and the Chapel of St.
Sebastian. The Goa State Museum, the
Secretariat, the statue of Abbe Faria in the capital
is a must see for lovers of art. The largest of the
churches in Goa, the Se Cathedral is
in Old Goa and is flocked by thousands
of tourists every year. The holy shrine of Basilica
of Bom Jesus, also in Old Goa, houses
the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is a famous
pilgrimage center among the Roman Catholic world. Other
famous churches are the Convent and Church of St. Francis
of Assisi, Church of St. Cajetan, Church of St. Augustine
Ruins, Church and Convent of St. Monica, Church of Our
Lady of Rosary, Chapel of St. Anthony and Chapel of
St. Catherine-all of which are in Old Goa.
Fort Aguada is worth a visit to savor the nostalgia
of the Portuguese regime, especially in its lighthouse
and the Aguada jail. Terekhol Fort in the Arambol beach
has been now converted to a hotel. The Museum of Christian
Art in Rachol Seminary and church and the Braganza House
near Margao are also worth a visit. Besides these, to
get a glimpse of the Hindu population in Goa,
one has to visit Ponda. The Kerkar Art Complex in south
Calangute is also an important tourist center. The Wednesday
flea market at Anjuna is an important trading center
for handicrafts from Kashmir to Gujarat.
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| HOW TO REACH |
Goa's international
airport is Dabolim, at a distance of 29 km from Panaji,
on the coast near Vasco da Gama. Most domestic airlines
operate here apart from the chartered private airlines
operating from UK and Germany. Indian Airlines has direct
flights from Delhi and Mumbai daily. Air India also
flies to Goa. Reaching Goa
by train is easy from Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. Goa
has two main stations are at Margao and Vasco da Gama.
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