Goa 105 kms of golden coastline provides an excellent range of beaches to suit everybody’s needs. Some beaches are unspoilt pristine stretches of sand, ideal for the solitude seeker, while others pulsate with crowds basking in the brilliant sunshine. The nique mixture of sun, sand and the sea, coupled with the essence of local culture gives each Goan beach, a distinct identity.
All along the Goan coast, the azure blue waters of the Arabian Sea kiss the golden sandy shores lined with mesmerizing swaying palm trees.
Nestled in small villages, bordered by lush green paddy fields, are deluxe hotels and resorts with ultra palm-frond roofs.
BEACHES
Goa’s beaches are justly famous all around the world, for they are alive with activity all around the day and well into the night, swinging to a rhythm all their own, dictated by the sea and nature’s bounty.
The main beaches in the popular north belt are Calangute, Candolim, Baga, Vagator, Arambol and Morjim, while the beautiful but isolated southern beaches include Colva, Majorda, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim and Palolem.
CULTURE
Despite centuries of alien occupation, Goa’s culture traditions have displayed amazing resilience. The symbiosis of Portotugese and local strains has created an electrical culture mix which is different from the rest of India.
Goan folk music has a lively rhythm and the folk dances, a rugged vitality.The musical accompaniment for both folk songs and the folk dances are provided by a divercity of musical instruments like ghumat, cymbal, flute, harmonium, violin, mandolin, guitar and many others. Music has the focus at all major social events-fairs, feasts, dances and marriages.
Music and dance form the vary fibre of rural Goa. No written description can do full justice to the dynamic Goan art forms which have rhythmic charm, colorful variety and exhilarating vibrancy.
Tradational dances like the Dhalo, Kunbi, Dekhni, Fugdi, Corridinho, Mando, Ghodemodeni, Dhangar, Lampdance etc. display the extraordinarily rich and lively culture of Goa.
Performing art forms like the Zagor, Khel, Tiatr Dashavatari Kalo, Veerbhadra and Mussallam Khel also show the diversity of the culture influences which makes Goan culture so distinctive and unique.
CHURCHES
All cross the Goan country side, the white washed façade of the village church is a well-known land mark amidst the greenery of coconut plantations and paddy fields. These magnificent edifices are largely a legacy of 450 years of Portuguese colonization.
Most of the churches were built by European monastic orders, such as the Theatines, Augustines, Franciscans and Jesuits, in the Renaissance, Baroque, Iberian and the lesserknown Manueline architectural styles.
Both in inspiration and design, churches are the spiritual centres of the village or town they stand in and play an important role in Goa’s social, cultural and religious life. Most of these churches are centuries old, but still function even today. Many are also protected heritage sites and house exquisite works of Christian art.
Every church in Goa celebrates a feast dedicated to its patron saint once a year. These village feasts are celebrated by colorfully dressed villagers with a festive mask, a procession of the saint, music by the village band and food that is an a epicurean’s delight.
The most famous churches in Goa are at Old Goa, a UNESCO designated World Heritage site near Panaji. It has the Se Cathedral the Convent of Santa Monica and the Bom Jesus Basilica, which houses the holy relic of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa.
Other well known churches in Goa re the Mary Immaculate Conception Church (Panaji), the St. Ana Church (Talaulim), Church of Our Lady of Miracles (Mapusa) and the Mae de Deus Church (Salegao).
TEMPLES
The Temples of Goa like most Hindu temples around India, are dedicated to a deity which is worshipped by the local devotees. The design of Goan temples, however, is a little different, as it has assimilated the influence of Muslim, Maratha and Christian architecture over the centuries.
A special features of Goan temple is the Lamp Tower or the “Deepastambha” rising any where from two to six storied high, in the temple courtyard. On festival days, it is decorated with oil lamps, creating a spectacular effect. In most temples, the inner sanctum housing the idol of the deity is decorated with silver and gold. Near the temple, there is usually a huge water tank used for holy rituals of the deity.
Each temples has its annual Jatra (fesat), when the idol of the local deity is carried in a huge wooden chariot around the temple, with crowds of devotee following in a procession. A small fair with stall selling everything from Jewellery to eatable is set up in the temple grounds.
Goan temples are more modern as compared to ancient temples around India, mainly because they have been rebuilt at new locations after the destruction during the days of Muslim and Portuguese invasions. Among the well-known temples in Goa are the ones dedicated to Shantadurga (Kavlem), Manguesh (Priol), Mahalasa (Mardol), Chandreshwar Bhutnath (Paroda), Damodar (Zambaulim), Datta Mandir (Sankhali), Mallikarjun (Cancona) and Shantadurga Kunkolkarin (Fatorpa).
RECREATION
There is so much more to do in Goa, besides just relaxing on the beach. Whether it is dawn or dusk, midnight or noon there is no end to fun and frolic. There are nightclubs and discos for the musically inclined Tourists. Also Goa is a home to a number of Casinos and also to Caravela-the only offshore Casino-on-a-ship in India.
The fabulous coastline is a heaven for water-sports lovers, with facilities for wind surfing, parasailing, swimming, speed boating, jet skiing, angling and banana rides. From October to May conditions are ideal, as the skies are cloudless and blue, and the waters fairly placid. Goa hosts a wind surfing regatta competition annually.
The dense forests, deep rivers and hilly terrain in the wildlife sanctuaries support a diverse range of wildlife, attracting eco-tourists and nature lovers. Spice plantations across the state welcome visitors to their rustic environs to get a taste of exotic spices and a feel of hinterland Goa.
Evening cruises along the Mandovi river are an enchanting experience, with snacks and drinks on board, accompanied by folk dancers performing to live music.
Nightlife is always exciting with dance parties to liven up the evening at hangouts along the coast. The atmosphere is great – totally relaxing and extremely conducive to an enjoyable night out.
HOSPITALITY
The warm-hearted hospitality of the friendly Goans and the relaxing ambience means a visit to Goa is an unforgettable experience of a life time. Goa has an extremely wide range of hotels, resorts and guesthouses to suit every budget and every taste. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) also accommodates tourists in its well appointed residencies, around Goa.
All around the year, travelers are usually assured of finding a room – if not in a hotel, then at least in a private house. In the monsoon season, most hotels offer discounted tariffs. However, in the peak season from December to January, it is best to book rooms well in advance.
CUISINE
Although Goa is famous for its FISH, CURRY and RICE, Goan cuisine like the land itself, has many flavours and tastes. The Goan style of cooking is an interesting fusion of East and West, leading to an exotic mix of truly tasy and spicy cuisine.
Tickle the taste buds with mouth-watering prawn balchao, xacuti, vindalo, sorpotel, chicken, cafreal, sausages and recheado fish, which have a tangy flavour and aroma. Thanks to the distinctive mix of spices, sea food dishes usually dominate the menu but for the vegetarian too, Goa has delicious dishes like khatkhatem, sukhi bhaji and oosal.
For those with a sweet tooth there is the scrumptious bebeinca and dodol. And the aroma of the exotic white spirit feni, has found favour with connoisseurs around the world. International cuisines like Italian, Thai, Continental and Chinese besides others, are also available at most hotels to satisfy even the most fincky of appetites.
FESTIVALS
With a harmonious mix of religions in its population, Goa celebrates festivals throughout the year. The most famous of these are the CARNIVALS and the SHIGMO, which attracts tourists from all around the world.
CARNIVAL the festival of fun, frolic and music is celebrated just before Lent in February / March. There are colorful parades with music and lavish floats and the uproarious festivities of three days are presided over by king momo.
SHIGMO – the festival of colors celebrating the arrival of spring – has colorful floats depicting Hindu mythology, accompanied by folk dancers in traditional costumes, carrying multi colored flags.
Diwali, the festival of lights is celebrated by burning the effigies of the demon Narkasura. Ganesh Chaturthy (CHOVOTH in local language) is the most popular Hindu festival, when clay idols of Lord Ganesh are worshipped before their immersion in water. A spectacular festival worth seeing is held , where devotee of Goddess Lairai walk in the middle of the night through burning of hot coals.
The biggest Christian festival – the Feast of St. Francis Xavier – is held on December 03 at old Goa, attended by millions of devotees from around the world. Besides the annual village church feast, Goa has a few other unique festivals. It is the only place besides Roam that has the annual procession of All Saints (Goa Velha). The feast of Three Kings at Cansaulim reenacts the journey of kings who came bearing gifts for Lord Jesus.
HERITAGE
With an ancient history that goes back a few thousand year, Goa has come under the influence of various kingdoms across the ages. Hindu, Muslim and Portuguese rulers have all left their indelible mark on the Goan landscape in the form of monuments, which remain as silent witness of a bygone era. Most churches in Goa are more than 400 years old, but still remain in excellent state of repair and are worth a visit to see the exquisite art on their alters and pulpits. The Museum of Christian Art, at Old Goa, has priceless art objects ranging from large silver crosses to pocket size ivory ornaments. The Augustine tower at Old Goa is the only remnant of what was once the Church of St. Augustine, the biggest church in Asia. Also nearby is the Viceroy’s Arch that once welcomed each Portuguese Governor on his arrival in Goa.
Built from Basalt stones, the Mahadev temple at Tambdi Surla in Goa’s deep interior, is the oldest existing temple in Goa, belonging to the 11th 13th century Kadamba period.
There are some Majestic ruins of Forts along the Goan coastline. Among these the Aguada, Cabo-de-Rama, Reis Magos, Corjueum, Chapora and Terekhol fors are in the best condition.
Goa has some fabulous mentions dating back to the 1700s, maintained in immaculate conditions by descendants of the original owners. Built in Portuguese architectural style with magnificent exterior facades, they have equally impressive interiors with collection of antique furniture, ceramics, crystal and glass.
