Goa
INTRO
The common perception of India's smallest state called Goa is one of a place of sun, beach and entertainment as it is internationally renowned for its magnificent 101 km long coastline formed by the the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west. However, there is much more to Goa to be revealed to the curious traveler; having been the meeting point of different religions and culturest over the centuries, Goa will charm you with its unique architecture, rich history and the friendliness of the local people. Multi-hued and distinctive with equally treasured Indian traditions and colonial heritage, Goa shows a striking harmony of its religious and cultural communities so unlike the rest of India. Lacking religious confrontation and being one of the most developed Indian states as regards investment, environment and infrastructure, Goa is a favourite holiday destination for foreigners and is often referred to as "India for beginners".
City Profile
City: Goa
Country: India
Area: 3,702 km2
Population: 1,400,000
Governor: Sanayangba Chubatoshi Jamir
Language: Konkani
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LOCATION
Goa, the 25th State in the Union of States of India, is located on the west coast of Indian Peninsula in a region known as Konkan. It is separated from the state of Maharashta by Terekhol river to the north and borders the state of Karnataka to the east and south. The Western Ghats mountain range separates Goa from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point is the Sonsogor, with an altitude of 1,167 metres. Panaji, the capital city is located 592 kilometers from Bangalore (Karnataka) and 593 kilometers from Mumbai (Maharashtra).
TIME TO VISIT
Thanks to the Arabian Sea closiness, Goa, has a warm climate. During rainy season it is very humid, while winters are mild and windy. The best time to visit is is from October to April, as summer is wet and hot. May is the hottest month with day temperatures rising over 35?C. The monsoons arrive in June and heavy rainfall continues till late September. Goa's beach lifestyle is best experienced during the short cool winter between October and the end of February although tourists throng the state all the year round.
POPULATION
As per 2001 census the total population of the state, North and South Goa, is 1 343 998 but tourism is so prominent that the number of tourists exceeds the number of state population - about 2 millions annually. The population consists of a Hindu majority and a Christian minority (Christianity came to Goa along with Portuguese rule). In terms of religion there are also Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. The official language of Goa is Konkani and the other main languages used in the state are Marathi, Kannada and Urdu. The national language Hindi as well as English are also well understood in most areas throughout the state. The Portuguese rule and the geographical isolation of Goa have contributed to the developing a distinctive and unique identity. The people of Goa are friendly and remarkably tolerant to the religious persuasions of others; they are known for their vividness and love of music and dance, so musical festivals and carnivals held to celebrate various occasions are part and parcel of their life.
DISTRICTS
Goa is divided into two districts, namely North and South Goa with headquarters at Panaji and Margao respectively. North Goa comprises six talukas and has a total area of 1736 sq. km and South Goa comprises five talukas with an area of 1966 sq. km. In all Goa there are 383 villages of which majority is in North Goa district.
- Panaji or Panjim, situated on the banks of river Mandovi, is the capital of the state. It is a small and beautiful town with an area of 35.99 sq. km, and a population of approx. 100 000. The Portuguese heritage is apparent everywhere from architecture to local cuisine. The most popular tourist attractions are the Church Square with the Church of the Lady of Immaculate Perception, the Archaelogical Museum and the splendid Miramar and Arjuna beaches located nearby, where you can engage in fishing, kayaking, dolphin watching and other fun in the water. Temples, churches and beautiful picnic spots add to the exciting experience of Panaji.
- Margao, nestled on the banks of the River Sal, is considered the commercial and cultural capital of the state. It is the second largest city in Goa and the administrative headquarters of South Goa. Being amongst the oldest recorded towns in Goa, it gives an opportunity to peep into the history of the state. It has some of the most famous churches and is renowned for the huge Portuguese style mansions.
- Vasco-da-Gama,situated near the Dabolim Airport is Goa's key shipping centre and used to be one of the busiest ports on India's west coast. A prime attraction here is the first naval museum in Asia which showcases the history of Indian Naval Aviation. The Bogmalo beach is one of the few places in India where you can do PADI-approved open water diving courses.
- Mapusa is a small town 13kms north of the capital Panaji. It comes alive with local flavour on its traditional Friday Market when people from surrounding villages and towns come to sell their wares. The beaches nearest to this town are the Anjuna - a traditional rave centre and Calangute - Goa's most popular but also highly commercialized beach. The Kansarpal-Kalbadevi temple, supposed to be about 800 years old, lies 14 km from Mapusa.
- Ponda is an industrial town that lies strategically along the main Panaji-Margao highway, connected to the adjacent state of Karnataka via the Ponda-Belgaum highway or the NH-4. Most of the Major Hindu temples in Goa are found here as Ponda was not under Portuguese rule in the 16th century and thus was seen as a safe haven by the Hindus that fled persecution by the Jesuits and Portuguese.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
- Beaches The main attractions in Goa are of course its lovely beaches. The most popular beach resorts are Anjuna, Arambol and Calangute. During the day, the breathtaking vast beaches of yellow sand fringed with coconut trees are a great place to relax. Beach parties with trance music attracting a versatile crowd with people from all over the planet are held every other night, especially over Christmas-New Year. Goa trance, a form of electronic music, has its roots in the popularity of Goa near Fu's House in the 1960-70s as a hippie mecca. When hippie tourism began to die out, a smaller number of the movement supporters stayed in the area, pursuing a specific style of trance music.
- Ancestral Goa A place worth visiting to have look at Goa in its original grandeur and authentic form is Ancestral Goa. Dedicated to the preservation of art and Goa's rich traditions a miniature Goan Village as it would have existed 100 years ago opened to the public in 1995. Ancestral Goa is located at Loutulim in South Goa, about ten kilometers from Margao. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.ancestralgoa.com/
- Old GoaOld Goa, a former capital of Portuguese India, a city as large as London or Paris at its peak, was later on deserted. Today, Old Goa offers the best examples of Portuguese colonial architecture in India and is probably the most popular day trip. It has many churches, museums and palaces, notably the Bom Jesus Basilica, a World Heritage Site, which holds the ashes of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by Catholics as the patron saint of Goa. More info how to get there: http://goacentral.com/Goachurches/churches_of_old_goa.htm
- Western Ghats The Western Ghats, which form easternmost part Goa, have been internationally recognised as one of the most diversified natural areas in the world. Goa has many famous National Parks, among which the renowned Salim Ali bird sanctuary, located on the island of Chorao on Mandovi river, close to Panaji. Here, apart from a rich variety of birds, you can spot flying foxes, jackals and crocodiles.
AIRPORT
- Goa's international airport, Dabolim, is located on the coast near Vasco-da-Gama, 29 km from Panaji. The Dabolim Airport is the main air transportation services provider in Goa and caters both international and domestic flights -there are daily flights from Goa to Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai etc. More info on Dabolim Airport: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabolim_Airport
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
- BusesGoa's main form of public transport consists to high extent of privately operated buses linking the major towns to rural areas. Government-run bus service links both major routes as well as some of the more remote parts of the state and headquarters of taluka. Intra-city buses serve its citizens in large towns but as public transport in Goa is not very efficient, residents depend heavily on their own transport, usually motorised two-wheelers.
- Taxis Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis and rickshaws. A unique experience in Goa is the yellow-and-black motorcycle taxi. Try to haggle with taxi driver to get better fare.
- Railway The two main rail stations of Goa are situated in Margao and Vasco Da Gama. Konkan railways connect these stations to major cities in India. Booking tickets earlier via Internet can be a good idea, and remember to choose air-conditioned carriages.
- Kadamba Bus Terminal The capital Panaji is well connected to other cities and areas from Kadamba Bus Terminal, situated in the district of Pato, 1km east of the centre. Vasco Da Gama, 30km away, is the nearest railway station from Panaji.
HISTORY
Since the Aryan advance and settlement in Western India around 1500 B.C., Goa was an important port of the ancient and medieval traders including the Phoenicians, the Persians, the Arabs, the Sumarians, as well as the Greeks and the Romans. Until the 11th century, there was a succession of empires rising and falling in Goa. Under the rule of the Kadambas, when Old Goa was built, Goa became India's maritime power. The first European to ever set foot in Goa wasVasco da Gama who arrived to Old Goa in 1498. In 1510 Alfonso de Albequerque captured Goa from Yusuf Ali Adil Shah with intention of setting up a colony and a navy base and seizing control of the spices trade from other European powers. Many locals were then converted to Christianity and European influence is apparent in many aspects of Goa's life and culture. Goa remained a Portuguese colony till 1961 and then it became a part of the Indian Union. It attained full statehood in 1987 when Daman and Diu retained separate identity as a Union Territory.
CITY LINKS
- Official site of Goa Government: http://goagovt.nic.in/
- Regional Passport Office, Panaji, Goa: http://www.passportgoa.nic.in/
- Directorate of Transport: http://www.goatransport.com/
- Konkan Railway Corporation: http://www.konkanrailway.com/
- South Goa District website: http://southgoa.nic.in/
- North Goa District website: http://northgoa.nic.in/
- Goa State Museum: http://goamuseum.nic.in/
- Kala Academy, the principal artistic and cultural institution in the state: http://www.kalaacademy.org/
- Vasco Sports Club: http://www.vascoclub.com/news/index.asp
- Goa News: http://www.goanews.com/
- Directory of Information and Services, Goa's first Internet gateway: http://www.goacom.com/
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- Goa University, established in 1985: http://www.goauniversity.org/