Introduction to city Goa -
In Goa
Like a child joyfully rotating a kaleidoscope and
chuckling at the changing patterns, one just gets hooked
on to Goa. Beauty can be quite inebriating and here you
have so much of it—in the golden sands, the blue waters,
the sylvan forests and the lakes. Palm-swathed hills,
islands, beaches and riverine waters rush to the freedom
of the waves, unfold, meet the eye and merge with yet
another visual wonder which the land generously and
continuously keeps unfolding. Add to this the spicy nip of
the sea, the tang of fish-curry rice, the moistened sips
of cocum, the pleasure of discovering a crab under a
stone, and the thrill of walking on a beach full of crisp
seashells. The mind stops thinking and the heart begins
speaking!
Come monsoon and this hundred-kilometre coastline turns
into a fantasyland. Wild wind that rustles the hair, a
sprinkle of water drops all around. On one side stand the
palm trees, lush green and swaying in the wind, and on the
other the vast Indian Ocean greets you. The dense cover of
the clouds makes the ocean look darker than usual until
some clouds part sending down brilliant beams of sunrays
which hits the ocean turning it into a radiant jewel of a
thousand diamonds. This and much more is the charm of Goa.
Situated on the western coastline of India, Goa is split
into two districts, North Goa with the capital city of
Panaji and South Goa with places such as Vasco da Gama and
Margao. The history of the place goes far back in time
when it was a part of the Mauryan Empire around 3rd
century BC. Later the place came under the influence of
Satavahanas, Chalukyans, Vijaynagar, Adil Shahi Dynasty of
Bijapur, and finally the Portuguese who under Alfonso de
Albuquerque invaded Goa in 1510. They ruled the region
till 1961, when the Indian forces liberated it and Goa
became a part of the Republic of India.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination - Goa
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
beaches such as Dona Paula, Calangute, Anjuna, Colva,
Miramar, and Vagator
can be compared with the best beaches around the world.
Churches and forts in Old Goa take the visitor to an era
far back in time. Goa is rich not only in culture or
entertainment, but it also has a rich floral and faunal
heritage making it a complete destination.
Goa Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Goa
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Places to visit in the city Goa |
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DONA PAULA - Goa
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With its aura of romance and myth, the Dona Paula
Beach is thronged by tourists not only in search of
their deceased beloved, but also to indulge in water
sports on the clear waters. The beach is named after
Dona Paula de Menezes, the daughter of a viceroy who
threw herself off the cliff when refused permission
to marry a local fisherman named Gaspar Dias. The
Dona Paula Sports Club provides facilities for
cycling, motorboat rides, water-scooter,
windsurfing, toboggan, ski-biscuit, toboggan,
water-skiing, parasailing, skibob, sports fishing,
snorkelling, harpoon fishing, yachting, and kayaking
on the beach. |
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OLD CITY & CHURCHES -
Goa
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Old Goa is only nine kilometres east of Panaji.
Founded in 1510 by Alfonso de Albuquerque as the old
capital, the place is replete with churches like the
Se Cathedral, the Convent and Church of St. Francis
of Assisi (largest Christian church in Asia),
Professed House and Basilica of Bom Jesus, the
Church and Convent of St. Monica, the Church of St.
Cajetan and the ruins of the Church of St.
Augustine. |
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PANAJI - Goa
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Too small and mellow for a state capital, Panaji is
situated on the south bank of the Mandovi River. The
place became capital of Goa in 1843, replacing Old
Goa. Unlike most parts of India, people here are
friendly, perhaps an effect of long relations with
people from other parts of the world. The city is
charming and the colonial effect is evident in the
city landscape
. 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
. Visit a Goan market and you will discover the
essence of the land. There is fish in plenty, woven
baskets and earthen pots, pickles and preserves,
tender coconuts and bananas and, if you’re lucky,
even blue china and bronzed candelabras!
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MAPUSA BAZAAR - Goa
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Mapusa, which is the main market town in north Goa,
may well be the primal site of the oldest weekly
fair on the Konkan coast. It witnesses the weekly
and happy conclave of buyers and sellers from all
over Goa on Fridays. The Mapusa weekly fair is the
logical sequence to the ancient festivals in honour
of Kanakeshwar Baba, venerated at the Bodgeshwar
temple. |
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PONDA - Goa
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Antruz, the inspired name of the Ponda subdivision,
was the redoubt where the Hindus, displaced by the
Portuguese from the coast, barricaded themselves
between rivers and hills to hold their sway. Here
they preserved their culture and further enriched
it. From this area came Kesarbai Kerkar, one of
India’s greatest singers; as also Dinanath
Mangeshkar, the father of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha
Bhonsle; and such other singers as Jitendra Abisheki,
Mogubai Kurdikar—a great singer herself and the
mother of the incomparable Kishori Amonkar. The area
has several Hindu temples such as Sri Ganapati
Temple and Mahalaxmi Temple. |
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SHRI
MANGESH TEMPLE - Goa
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Most of the temples in Goa have deities brought from
Mithila region in Bihar to which the Saraswat
Brahmins of this region are believed to belong. The
ancient Mangesh Temple is situated on the banks of
the river Gomati or Zuari as it is called today.
Lord Mangesh is worshipped here in the shape of a
Shiva linga. The linga is said to have been
consecrated on the mountain of Mangireesh (Mongir)
on the banks of river Bhagirathi by Lord Brahma
himself, from where the Saraswat Brahmins brought it
to Trihotrapuri in Bihar. They carried the linga on
to Gomantaka and settled at Mathagrama, the
present-day Madgoa, and established their most
sacred temple. |
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SHRI
SHANTA DURGA
TEMPLE - Goa
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The Goddess of peace, Shanta Durga or Shanteri,
resides in her holy abode at Kapilpura or Kavele in
Antruz. This deity is believed to have been carried
by Loma Sharma when the Saraswats came to Goa from
Tiruhut in Bihar. |
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SHRI
RAMNATH TEMPLE - Goa
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The temple of Shri Ramnath is situated at Ponda
around 33 km from Panaji. Apart from the main
temple, there are four other temples, namely of Shri
Betal, Shri Shantadurga (Shanteri), Shri
Laxminarayan, and Shri Sidhanath. All these temples
together constitute Shri Ramnath Panchayatan. |
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CALANGUTE - Goa
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Calangute Beach is situated some 15 km north of
Panaji. This is a 7-km-long beach and the scenic
natural beauty of the peaceful coastal countryside
has turned this beach into one of the most popular
destinations in the world. The real discovery of
this beach was done by the Hippies who loved its
pristine surroundings and blissful serenity and
golden sands. They spread the word around and the
beach saw hordes of European tourists coming.
Tourists even now trudge down the dusty,
weather-beaten roads in search of that idyllic
coastal Goa. |
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ANJUNA - Goa
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Also known as the freak capital of the world, Anjuna
beach is just the right place for lazing
holidaymakers. The place comes live with its
ever-famous full-moon parties and the Wednesday flea
market to take one on to a trance trip. The beach is
most popular among the local populace who love its
20-km-long virgin white sands, fringed and sun
drenched. |
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MIRAMAR - Goa
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Miramar or Gaspar Dias is one of the beach that are
much nearer to Panaji and ignored by many tourists.
This should come as a blessing as the crowd here is
lesser than other popular beaches in Goa. But this
small beach can be used for little beyond
sunbathing, since the undercurrents and flow are
dangerous. |
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VAGATOR - Goa
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Overlooked by the 500-year-old Portuguese fort, the
Vagator beach with its soft white sands, the black
lava rocks, the coconut palms, and the lush green
landscape leaves each visitor awestruck. The beach
is located north to the Anjuna and despite being
disturbed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, life
goes on peacefully here in the background. |
Excursions : Places nearby
city - Goa
Medieval and colonial architecture, wildlife, lakes, and
rivers; the state of Goa is full of all these and more.
The wildlife sanctuaries of the state may not have as much
abundance of denizens but the relative serenity and better
tourist facilities made up for that. Sanctuaries like
Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli, and Bondla are the
part of wild heritage that Goa has still survived despite
ever increasing number of people encroaching up on the
forestland. Temple of Tambdi Surla is one of the
few religious structures in the state that survived
Portuguese onslaught while
Mayem Lake
is the favourite escape of the locals.
Goa Excursion :
Places nearby Goa - Goa
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Places to visit nearby destination - Goa |
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Bondla
Forest Sanctuary
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Also known as Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary,
this place is situated along the north-east border
of Goa at Molem around 60 km from Panaji. The
sanctuary covers an area of 240 sq. km and is the
biggest of the three wildlife sanctuaries in Goa.
The sanctuary is a birdwatchers’ paradise. Besides,
there are many floral and faunal varieties that
would attract you towards it. |
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Dandeli
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Situated in the state of Karnataka just outside the
Goa border, the Dandeli Sanctuary abounds in flora
and fauna. It has an undulating topography with
steep slopes, picturesque river valleys, and rich
hilly forest terrain. The main wildlife species
include elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, flying
squirrel, mouse deer, etc., and a variety of birds.
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Mayem
Lake
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Mayem Lake is a calm spread of water with cottages
hidden in the wooded slopes. If you want to enjoy
the real thrill of Goa along with the local
populace, you must visit this beautiful lake
situated around 65 km from Vasco-da-Gama and 64 km
from Dabolim airport. |
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Molem Wildlife
Sanctuary
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Also known as Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary,
this place is situated along the north-east border
of Goa at Molem around 60 km from Panaji. The
sanctuary covers an area of 240 sq. km and is the
biggest of the three wildlife sanctuaries in Goa.
The sanctuary is a birdwatchers\’ paradise. Besides,
there are many floral and faunal varieties that
would attract you towards it. |
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Temple of
Tambdi Surla
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When most of the temples in Goa were being destroyed
by the Portuguese, this temple escaped because of
its remote location. The temple is located at
Sanguem Taluka around 66 km away from Panaji.
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