India Travel for Goa
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India Travel for Goa
If you wish to take a pilgrimage, celebrate your marriage, or just take a break and have some fun, then you are welcome to the land of churches and beaches...Goa, one of the youngest states of the largest democracy in the world, India.
India Travel for Goa - Fast Facts
With Panjim as its capital, Konkani, Marathi and English as its most spoken languages, Goa is at its best from October to February. In this secular state, the population follows Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Goa boosts of some of the finest churches and temples in the world. Goa also happens to be one of the most prosperous states in the country with excellent banking and financial services and socio-economic indicators.
India Travel for Goa _ Panajim
The capital of Goa - Panajim, is well-connected travel wise with other parts of India through air, rail and road. The Dabolim Airport is situated 30-km from Panjim. Vasco-da-Gama is the nearest Railway Station and the Kadamba Transport Corporation; Panjim is the nearest Bus Station.
India Travel for Goa - Tourist Attractions
India Travel for Goa - Best time to visit
At any time of the year Goa, is fun and laid back. It experiences lovely and relaxing climate. The visit will be memorable with the summers on the golden sands and the winters in the warm waters.
India Travel for Goa - Climate
This coastal state has a magic of its own during the rains, usually from June to September (up to 325 cms). The warm tropical showers turn the countryside into the picturesque greenery; the sea waves seem to welcome one and all and the tourists cannot ask for better package than Goa in the rains.
India Travel for Goa - Travel Information
Since long this slice of the Mediterranean has been enjoyed by the domestic and international tourists, alike. They are issued tourist visas either for one month or for six months.
India Travel for Goa - Beaches
With all of 3,702 sq. kms of area Goa is enough to sweep you of your feet with its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The wide and serene beaches are ideal for sunbaths and romantic strolls. The churches and the temples are a must visit for the pilgrims. It offers a stretch of 105 kilometers of coast and an unmatched array of 40 beaches to choose from for the tourists. Gasper, Dias, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Condolim, Bogmalo, Colva and Vagator are amongst the more popular ones. Most of the northern beaches offer adventure gelled with a very active nightlife. The southern beaches are paradise for the tourists seeking tranquility amidst the silvery sand and the palm grooves.
The beaches are intertwined with several waterways and the two rivers, namely Mandovi and Zuari.
The Goan coastline is heaven on Earth for swimmers, anglers, water sports buffs and sunbathers.
India Travel for Goa - Cruises
The cruises in Goa are unforgettable experience for lifetime of the tourists. A cruise on the Santa Monica yatch is as much fun with the accompanying song and dance as the one along the Mandovi river. On these cruises make sure to watch the splendid sunset and the unparalleled moon rise.
India Travel for Goa - Lakes
Along with the beautiful beaches, Goa has remarkable lakes too. The mayem Lake, all of 35 km from Panjim, is an example. It is an ideal picnic spot with the Cottages and the awesome environs. Boating is one activity every tourist visiting this artificial lake must indulge in.
India Travel for Goa - History
Over the centuries 'Govapuri' has been seen, conquered and influenced by the foreign powers. The variety of gifts each one brought for the people is amazing. This magnificent natural harbor with the fertile land and the plentiful water supply has attracted people since the times of the golden goose of the spice trade.
India Travel for Goa - Festivals
The state reveals a unique amalgamation of the East with the West. The Christmas is celebrated with equal zest as Diwali, the spirits are as high at the Carnival as on Durga Pooja. The fun and frolic never seems to end. Beer is enjoyed as much as the traditional tipples of Feni, the local Hootch, and Toddy (Todi), a derivative of palm sap.
India Travel for Goa - Influences
The Portuguese who ruled for over 450 years on Goa, gifted the chilies to India besides introducing the tobacco, lichis and oranges. The other introductions range from Pineapple from South America, papaya from the Philippines and Cashew from Brazil. Maize, Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes came from Africa. Not to forget the Roman Catholicism, which lead to the construction of the churches as magnificent as those in Italy. Later they moved on to establish smaller colonies in Daman, Diu and Bassein (Vasai). Moving on with the Portuguese influence on the styles, we spot the wrought iron balconies of the colorful houses in Panjim.
India Travel for Goa - topography
Besides the cultural diversity, the state has a distinct topography with lush green paradise edged on the one side by the wooden foothills of the Sahyadri range and on the other by the Arabian Sea
Goa being the coastal state has remarkable seafood to offer. Right from the simple fish curry and rice to ambot tik, Caldeirada and Recheiado, the goan cuisine is amazing. Goan cuisine has always been admired, with its gamut of Portuguese-Goan dishes. To feast on these visit a Goan home or drop in at any of the authentic restaurant. Other eating joints offer an international cuisine, with options of Italian, French and Fusion foods.
India Travel for Goa - Shopping
Shopping which is a must for a holiday is true fun at Goa with several shops making loads of stuff easily available for the tourists. The items may vary from Carpets to Papier Mache, Textiles and Silk to Wood Carvings. Some of the restored Goan houses have the best of lifestyle and fashion shops.
The beach capital of India is variously known as Vasco, Govapuri, Gomantaka and Govarashtra. Though the origin of the name can be traced back to the mythology, legend and history.
India Travel for Goa - Goan Carnival
Goa has its fair share of festivals. On one hand the Goans celebrate the Carnival and Shigmo as festivals of joy and Shivaratri is one of austerity and penance. The later being in honor of Lord Shiva is believed to be the most ancient of all.
The celebration of the Carnival and the Shigmo comprise of various types of theatrical performances. The festivity commences with the canoe race at the Baina beach. The traditional Khell tiatr or the konkani drama is on the steps of the classical Yakshagana dance of Karnatak.
India Travel for Goa - Dance and Music
Along with dance forms the Goans carry forward the legacy of the various forms of folk drama and music. Dashavatari, Goulankala, Kala, Lalit, Kalo, Ranmale, and Rathkala are some of the popular examples of the former and the well known exaples of the later include Other forms of Goan music include Suvari, Banvad, Cantaram, Dasra Vadan, Gadya Ramayan, Gaun Kani, Gosavi Gayan, Gudulya Geetam, Jat, Lagan Geet, Lavni, Pavada, and devotional music like Bhajan-Dindi, Carol Singing, Kirtan and Ladainha.
On your India travel, do visit Goa and have a vacation of a lifetime amidst the silvery sands, the soothing sun, the sensuous songs and the sumptuous seafood.
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