Silver sands, sparkling blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below,
white churches resting against green paddy fields and coconut trees lining
the coastal streets. Goa - a place you can fall in love with at first
glance, is also home to India's finest beach resorts.
There's
much more to Goa than sun, sand and sea. The allure of Goa is that it
remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be
grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.
Goa became one of the youngest Indian states after 451 years of colonial
rule and 26 years as Union territory. Its history dates back to the 3rd
century when it belonged to the Mauryas, followed by the rule of the
Satvahanas, Chalukyas, the Shilharas and Kadambas. In 1312, Goa fell into
the hands of the Muslims. The Portuguese took over in 1510, ending the
Muslim rule. Apart from a brief spell during the Napoleonic wars, when the
British briefly occupied Goa, the Portuguese were the masters of Goa till
1961, when they were finally driven out.
450 years under
Portuguese domination produced a unique blend of East and West that is both
exotic and strangely familiar. Christmas and Carnival are celebrated as
enthusiastically as Diwali and Durga Puja. The state's separate identity is
also visible in its Latinate architecture and preference for a fish- and
meat-rich cuisine. Another marked difference is the prevalence of alcohol,
which is cheap in the state and is widely available.
Panaji,
Goa's capital since 1843, is among the most pleasant Indian capitals. Most
people use it as a link to old Goa or to the beaches, but it's worth a
visit. The atmosphere is easygoing and the people are friendly. In the
oldest part of the town, the Portuguese heritage is evident: broad avenues
spilling into cobbled squares, grand public buildings, old houses with
overhanging balconies and numerous bars and cafes.
On the coast
itself, coconut cultivation and fishing are the major sources of income.
But, tourism is the main money-spinner and the majority of the population is
engaged in related business.
Population: Approx 1.2
million
Climate: Summers are particularly hot and the
monsoons heavy. Winters are pleasant during the days and cool during the
nights.
Best time to visit: Goa is best experienced
during the winter months between October and the end of February. The famous
Mardi Gras Carnival happens in February and is a fabulous experience. The
tourist season starts in November and goes on till March.
Mapusa13 kms from Panaji, Mapusa is a small town in north Goa.
People from all over Goa come here to buy and sell their wares in the famous
Friday market.
Margao (Madgaon)is the second largest
city in Goa and a commercial metropolis. Margao an 18 km stretch of silvery
sand: Palolean, Betul and Colva. Other interesting places around Margao are
Chandreshwar Bhutnath temple and the Rachol Seminary.
Vasco-Da-Gama
This coastal town popularly known as Vasco was
originally called Sambhaji. This well planned city is also the railway
terminus for passenger service. Goa's only airport, Dabolim is also 4 km
from Vasco, at the other end.
Pondais also called
Antruz Mahal because of the concentration of culture, music, drama and
poetry. This town also has many temples - Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple,
Mahalakshmi temple, Shri Nagesh temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shri Mangesh
temple and the Safe Shahouri Masjid.
Old Goa is the
state's showpiece and the only remnant of the Portuguese. In the 1500's, it
was the largest and most flourishing of the great Asian cities. The
monuments and cathedrals today represent just a fraction of the urban
development that was Old Goa.
Se Cathedral at Old Goa
The largest church in Asia, the cathedral in Old Goa, is a mighty 16th
century monument to the Roman Catholic rule of Goa under the Portuguese. Its
huge Golden Bell is the biggest in the world. It has 14 side chapels; the
last chapel, in Mauresque style, preserves a cross upon which a vision of
Christ is said to have appeared in 1919.
Church of St.
Francis of Assisi at Old Goa Built in pure Manueline style, the
interior is adorned with a profusion of carvings and exquisite paintings.
The convent at the back of this church is now the Archaeological Museum. It
houses many portraits of the Portuguese Viceroys and fragments of sculpture
from Hindu temple sites in Goa.
Bom Jesus BasilicaPartially
in ruins but awesome still, it is a fine example of Jesuit architecture. The
church's most precious relic is the embalmed body of St. Francis Xavier
entombed in a marble mausoleum presented by the Duke of Tuscany, who
received the Saint's pillow in exchange. Once every 10 years, the mortal
remains of St. Francis Xavier are exposed for public veneration. It was last
exposed in 1994.
Aguada Fort This Fort was built by
the Portuguese in 1609-1612 to control the entry into the river Mandovi and
to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks. A spring within the fort
provided water supply to the ships that called there. The fort presently
houses the Central Jail.
Cabo Fort (Raj Bhavan)9 km
from Panaji, the Cabo Fort lies on the peninsula at Dona Paula, which juts
into the Arabian Sea. Initially during the Portuguese era, a Franciscan
Convent, was attached to the fort. This later became Coba Palace and is now
the Governor's residence.
Chapora Fort Located 10
km outside Mapusa, this fort has a splendid view of nearby Anjuna and
Vagator beaches. The fort, which belonged to Muslim rulers before the
Portuguese wrested it, has some interesting ruins.
Terekhol
(Tiracol) Fort 42 km. away from Panaji, at the northernmost tip of
Goa's shoreline, at the mouth of the river Terekhol, stands the Terekhol
Fort. In its courtyard is the century-old church of St. Anthony. It is now a
tourist resort.
Rachol Museum of Christian ArtAbout
7 km east of Margao, is the Rachol seminary. Its main attraction, the
Christian art museum is the only one of its kind in South Asia. It was set
up by the Indian National Trust for Architecture and Cultural Heritage and
the Gulbenkian Foundation of Portugal. The Museum has an amazing collection
of artifacts from Goa's churches and chapels, private collections and
donations.
Kerkar Art Complex in Calangute is the
only art gallery of its kind on this beach strip. The gallery stocks a wide
variety of art, as well as arts and crafts done by local artists. Concerts
of Indian classical music and dance are held on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The Mardi Gras Carnival takes place on three days in
February or early March. People indulge in feasting, drinking and
merrymaking just before the 40 days of Lent. This is Goa's most famous
festival and has been celebrated since the 18th century. Huge parades
through the cities are organized with bands, floats and dances in the
evenings. The final day concludes with the famous red-and-black dance held
by the Clube Nacional in Panjim.
Shantadurga Prasann
is celebrated in January at Fatorpa village, south of Margao. Drawing a
crowd of lakhs, a night-time procession of chariots bearing figures of
Shantadurga, is the prime attraction.
The Umbrella Festival,
at Cuncolim, south of Margao, has a solid silver image of Shantadurga
carried in procession over the hills to the original temple site. This
happens in January.
Shri Bodgeshwar zatra is a
temple festival that takes place south of Mapusa, also celebrated in
January.
Shri Mangesh is a 3-day festival in
February, that takes place in his temple in the Ponda district.
Shigmo as it is called in Goa is really the full-moon festival
of Holi. It is celebrated with big parades and crowds, drums and dance
groups competing with huge floats.
Janmashtami is
another popular Hindu festival celebrated in Goa. Ritual bathing in the
River Mandovi, to celebrate the birth of Krishna is common.
Bonderam
This carnival is held on the river island of Divar on the fourth
Saturday in August. Bonderam means the festival of flags. Colourful
processions and mock battles are staged in a recollection of the property
wars that raged on this island till a century ago.
Dussehra
- There are nine days of festivities in Dussehra when effigies are
burned on bonfires, and children perform episodes from the life of Rama.
Dussehra marks the day on which Lord Rama, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu,
liberated his wife Sita who had been abducted by Ravana, the king of Lanka.
This festival, celebrated throughout India, culminates with the setting fire
to an effigy of Ravana, thus signifying the end of evil.
Diwali, the five-day Hindu "festival of lights", commemorates
the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile
in the forests. It features processions all over the region, often
accompanied by fireworks, burning of effigies and the exchange of sweets by
neighbours, regardless of their faith. Diwali also symbolizes the victory of
light over darkness. Many celebrate Diwali as a festival of wealth and
prosperity.
Christmas, New years and Easter, are
celebrated by the mainly Christian population of the state.
HOW
TO GET THERE:
By Road: Goa is well connected by road from
Mumbai
(600 kms).
By Air: Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines connect Goa
with
Delhi,
Mumbai, Pune and
Bangalore.
Goa is also served by International Charter Aircraft from Western Europe during
the tourist season.
By Rail: Goa is served by 2
daily trains from Mumbai and is also connected to other major Indian cities.
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India Travel Hotel.
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