Goa
About the city
Goa has enjoyed a prominent place in the travellers' lexicon since the heady days of the 1960s, but the (in)famous hippies have now been replaced by backpackers, Indian visitors and package tourists on two-week jaunts from Europe. The locals are relaxed and friendly, and skirts outnumber saris.It's a shame Goa comes burdened with a reputation for louche living, because there's so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. 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 has a bit of everything from beautiful old style homes with beautiful antique furniture, churches, temples, beaches, and historic places to a lot of fun places. Then there's also that lazy laid back lifestyle that is a must to see, plus if you are up to it, Goa has it's fair amount of late night entertainment spots. Catching all of that on one trip is impossible, but try and enjoy as many flavours of Goa as possible.
Ten years ago only the dedicated traveler knew Goa, its wonderful beaches, good food, cheap beer and relaxed attitude towards the simple pleasures of life. Now it is firmly established as a package tourist's destination. No matter, if you know where to go, it is still one of the best places be in.
Goa, the smallest of Indian states, owes its exotic personality to the Portuguese, who seized it from the Bijapur kings of the Deccan in 1510 under the command of Alfonso Albuquerque-after failing to secure a base on the Malabar coast further south. The state was free from Portuguese rule in 1961 and became the 25th independent state of India on 30th May1987. Situated on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula, Goa is India's most superior beach resort with variety of beautiful sandy beaches. Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda are the main towns of Goa. The colonial heritage is apparent everywhere, in the street taverns, dilapidated Iberian-style villas, women's preference for frocks over saris and influence of Portuguese in the local Konkan language.
There's surely more here to the beaches than meets the eye! Of course, considering the 131 km long coastline, you have quite an array of options. True, it's not just about watersports or a sip of the eternal feni and a bit of the crunchy tiger prawns fry. There is everything here for everyone - whether you wish to try some snorkeling or indulge in simple beach bumming. Nowhere else would find a city, which is laid-back and active at the same time! Visit it during Christmas, New Year and the Carnival and you'd find the entire town joining in the revelries, adding to the already teeming crowds pouring in from everywhere! and visit it during the monsoons, which though is the low season, assures you of a sight you're unlikely to find elsewhere! Lush green hills, swaying palms in the breeze and the wild waves of the sea crashing against rocks! North Goa is where the action is let your hair down at Tito's, sip some chilled beer at the bamboo shacks and funky restaurants and rummage through the innumerable goodies at the stalls calling you with their fair share of ‘heart-shaped keychains', sea-shell anklets, I Love Goa t-shirts, packaged cashewnuts & authentic Goan feni. South Goa is quieter it has more hotels, almost all boasting of a private beach. Remember, the real essence of Goa lies in its winding lanes, with a church at every corner. So hire a scooty and explore on your own the smiley locals would only be glad to help you with directions! and if you'd rather spend time on the beaches, just follow the safety instructions and stay within limits! There is much to rave about here just capture your share of utter bliss
Local Languages
Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, EnglishThe Land of Beaches
Goa, one of India's states with a territory of 3,702 sq.km. is cradled in the Sahayadri Range in the Western Ghat. The name, ‘Goa' is derived from that of the pastoral; communities (Go) who are thought to have migrated to Goa in the prehistoric period. Here, long beaches are interspersed with open grasslands and low hills. The vegetation is tropical with cashew and teak plantations, cocount and arecanut groves and paddy fields.Location
Goa is located between the latitudes 150 48'00" North to 140 53'54" North and longitudes 740 20'13" East to 730 40'33" East. Goa is located on the western coast of Indian Peninsula and separated from Maharashtra by the east, and Arabian Sea in the west.Demography
The population of Goa is estimated to be around 1.2 million with nearly 59% of the population living in the rural areas of the state and the remaining 41% in the urban areas. Goa enjoys a literacy rate of 76% as against the all India literacy rate of 52.2%.Fast Facts
Time Zone: GMT +0530 (Indian Standard Time) Latitude: 15.33N Longitude: 73.59E STD Code: 832 Area: 3,702 sq km / 1,430 sq miles Population: 1,347,668Orientation
About 600 km south of Mumbai, situated on the slopes of the Western Ghats (Sahyadri ranges) Goa shares its northern border with the Sindhudurg district of Maharastra state, and has the Arabian Sea on its west. On the South is the Karwar district of Karnataka state. while on the East lies the Belgaum district of Karnataka. The Goan landscape is dominated by two major rivers, the Zuari and the Mandovi, that open into the Arabian Sea. Goa is divided into North and South Goa for administrative reasons. The capital, Panaji, lies in North Goa, as do the historic churches and houses of Old Goa, the mosques of Ponda and the famous Mangeshi temple, among others. Popular beaches Baga, Calangute, Vagator, Anjuna and Miramar are also located in the northern parts. The beaches of Colva, Majorda, Polem, Palolem, etc. are located in South Goa as are the churches, temples, mosques and monuments of Margao and Vasco Da Gama.History
In the 3rd century BC, Goa was part of the Mauryan empire. Later, it passed hands from the Satavahanas to the Chalukyans of Badami, who ruled from 580 to 750 AD. Before the Portuguese arrived in 1510 and captured the Panjim fort, Goa had changed hands from the Muslim Bahmanis, the Vijaynagar empire and Yusuf Adil Shah of Bijapur. The Dutch made a few unsuccessful attacks while the British East India Company preferred diplomacy with the Portuguese, who aimed to control the spice route, and gained the right to trade and use Goa's harbour. In 1542, Jesuit missionaries led by St Francis Xavier, arrived. By the middle of the 16th century, Portuguese control had expanded beyond Old Goa to include the provinces of Bardez and Salcete and aggressive conversions were fast spreading Christianity across this newly acquired colony. Once the Portuguese had vested power from the Turks, who controlled the trade routes across the Indian Ocean, Goa became the most prized Portuguese colony. However, the Marathas nearly conquered Goa in the late 18th century, and there was a brief occupation by the British during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.Modern History
The rumblings of a Goan independence movement began in the late 19th century and gained momentum when the Portuguese monarchy collapsed in 1910. After India gained independence from the British, it cut off diplomatic ties with the Portuguese. The new Indian government actively pursued the cause of Goa's independence, especially after a liberation march resulted in a number of deaths in 1955. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru finally ordered an invasion on 17 December 1961 and Goa was liberated within two days. Initial moves to assimilate the region into neighbouring states and to drop Konkani as the official regional language were resisted by Goans. Finally, in May 1987, Goa became India's 25th state and Konkani was recognised as one of the country's official languages.Recent History
Goa emerged as a tourist hub soon after its independence and was the mecca of the hippie era. Nudism, drugs and sex became common until the Goan government made a concerted effort to pull the reigns on Goa's hedonistic revelry. In recent times, politics has taken religious lines under the Hindu-nationalist BJP. However, Goa entered the millennium with a burgeoning tourist industry and the BJP has shown some commitment to conserving Goa's cultural and natural heritage.Goa's history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it was part of the Mauryan empire. Later, at the beginning of the Chistian era, it was ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur. Control eventually passed to the Chalukyans of Badami, who ruled from 580 to 750 AD. Goa fell to the Muslims for the first time in 1312, but the invaders were forced out in 1370 by Harihara I of the Vijayanagar empire, whose capital was at Hampi. Over the next 100 years, Goa's harbours were important landing places for ships carrying Arabian horses to the Vijayanagar cavalry at Hampi. The Portuguese were nearly overthrown by the Marathas in the late 18th century. However, the Portuguese clung on till 1961, when they were finally ejected by India. Goa remained a union territory for 26 years and gained full-fledged statehood on
The Portugueses presence in India dates from 1498 when Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut, and subsequently a trading post was set up in Kochi. Difficult relations with the Zamorin of Calicut, the local ruler, caused them to look north to Goa, then part of the kingdom of Bijapur. Goa was already a substantial port for pilgrims on the way to Mecca, and for the import of horses from Arabia. After one false start, Alfonso de Albuquerque took Goa in 1510, and later governors greatly extended the territory. Initially development centered on what has become known as Old Goa, some distance up the Mandovi River. This site proved very unhealthy, and a terrible outbreak of plague in 1738 prompted a gradual move to Panjim. Goa was the capital of Portugal's eastern empire and the seat of the viceroy, but Portuguese maritime power was in eclipse by the middle of the 17th century, and Goa became something of a backwater. Despite the British withdrawal from India in 1947 (and the French leaving Pondicherry and their smaller settlements in 1954), Portugal dragged its heels over negotiations with the Indian government.
Goa beacame part of India in 1961 and along with Daman and Diu it was a Union Territory till 1987, when it earned statehood. Contrary to first impressions, perhaps, Christians account for only about a third of the population of Goa, the rest being Hindua and a small Muslim minority. The tolerance is seen at its best in the shared enjoyment of the many religious festivals. These often have a very Latin flavor with bands, processions and firecrackers. The biggest takes place in three days before Lent when the streets of Panjim and Margao are taken over for the pageants and dancing of Carnival. Chirstmas is throughout the year. The great Hindu festivals such as holi and Diwali are equally popular.