Goa is a land that redefines holidays, with its exquisite mix of sun, surf, and beaches; Goa has become the ultimate tourist destination. Goa is a tiny emeralds land with its natural scenic beauty, attractive beaches and temples, famous for its architecture, feast and festivals and hospitable people with a rich culture. So get swept away in Goa by the spectacular sunrises and sunsets and rejuvenate yourself. Portuguese merchants first landed in Goa in the 15th century, and annexed it soon after. The Portuguese colony existed for about 450 years (one of the longest held colonial possessions in the world), until it was taken over by India in 1961.
Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the Elevent h Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.
Rice is the main food crop with pulses, ragi and other food crops are also grown. Main cash crops are coconuts, cashewnuts, arecanuts, sugarcane and fruits like pineapples, mangos and bananas. The State has a rich forest cover of more than 1,424 km². Goa's state animal is the Gaur, the state bird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, which is a variation of Black-crested Bulbul, and the state tree is the Asan.
The important forests products are bamboo canes, Maratha barks, chillar barks and the bhirand. Coconut trees are ubiquitous and are present in almost all areas of Goa barring the elevated regions. A large number of deciduous vegetation consisting of teak, sal, cashew and mango trees are present. Fruits include jackfruits, mangos, pineapples and blackberries. Goa's forests are rich with medicinal plants.
Foxes, wild boars and migrating birds are found in the jungles of Goa. The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of Goa and in its rivers. Crabs, lobsters, shrimps, jellyfish, oysters and catfish form some of the piscine catch. G oa also has a high snake population, which keeps the rodent population under control. Goa has many famous National Parks, including the renowned Salim Ali bird sanctuary. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on the island of Chorao.
Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland. In 2004, there were more than two million tourists reported to have visited Goa, about 360,000 of who were from abroad.
Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.
The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples. The Bom Jesus Cathedral, Fort Aguada and a new wax museum on Indian history, culture and heritage in Old Goa are other tourism destinations. Rice with fish curry (Xit kodi in Konkani) is the staple diet in Goa.
Goan cuisine is famous for its rich variety of fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil are widely used in Goan cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar giving the food a unique flavour. Pork dishes such as Vindaloo, Xacuti and Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions among the Goan Catholics. An exotic Goan vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is a very popular dish during the celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. Khatkhate contains at least five vegetables, fresh coconut, and special Goan spices that add to the aroma. Sannas, Hitt are variants of idli and Polle, Amboli, Kailoleo are variants of dosa; are native to Goa. A rich egg-based multi-layered sweet dish known as bebinca is a favourite at Christmas.
The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni; Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms.
The architecture of Goa is a combination of Indian, Mughal and Portuguese styles. Since the Portuguese ruled for four centuries, many churches and houses bear a striking element of the Portuguese style of architecture. Goa was also under the Mughal rule and thus one finds monuments built in the typical Mughal style complete with the domes.
The first literary reference to Goa is mentioned in the Bhishma Parva of Mahabharata as Gomanta (Gomantak) which means the region of cows. Parashurama is regarded as the creator of Goa. Click here for more information on Goan Vedic History.Goa in Mythology
Goa in History
Currently people refer to Pre Portuguese History of Goa and Goa after Independence. Goa has Mughal history, Maratha history and Goa's history goes back to even 20,000–30,000 years. Goa has been under the Mauryas, Shatvahanas, Bhojas, Kadambas, Silharas, Chaukyans, Adilshah of Bijapur and finally the Portuguese. All this rulers have left their mark on the culture of Goa. Among the locals the Desai's and the Rane's were prominent warrior class. The Portuguese descended in Goa during 1498. During the Portuguses rule a lot of Goans, Hindus and Catholics alike fled to the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra to escape the persecutions of the Portuguese. The portuguese ruled Goa for around 450 years till Goa was liberated by the Government of Goa in 1961.
Geography of Goa
Most of Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan Coast, which is a cliff rising up to the Western Ghats range of mountains, which detaches it from the Deccan Plateau. Goa is India's smallest state in terms of area and the fourth smallest in terms of population. Goa which is Located on the west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms Goas western coast. The highest hill in Goa is the Sonsogor, with an altitude of 1,167 meters (3,827 feet). Goa has a coastline of 101 km (63 mi).Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km2 (1,429 sq. mi).
Climate of Goa
Goa has a tropical climate with hot & humid summers, wet & cool monsoons, and short spell of winter. May is hottest with day temperatures of over 35 °C (95 °F). June to September are the wettest rainy months of Goa. Winter is during tourist season of Goa from mid-November till mid-February. with around 21 °C (68 °F) at night and around 28 °C (84 °F) at day. Goa receives and average rainfall of about 300 cms.
Districts of Goa
Panaji (Panjim) is the headquarters of the North Goa district. Goa is divided into two districts, North Goa District and South Goa District.
North Goa District
Bicholim, Pernem, Bardez, Sattari, Tiswadi and Ponda.
Margao (Madgaon) is the headquarters of the South Goa district.
South Goa District
Mormugao, Quepem, Salcete, Canacona, Sanguem, and Dharbondara.
Major Cities of Goa
Ponda, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and Panaji. Click here for more information on Cities of Goa...
Other Towns of Goa
Sanvordem, Quepem, Chandor, Valpoi, Bicholim, Old Goa, Chaudi.
State Tree of Goa
Matti (Terminalia crenulata)
State Animal of Goa
Bison (Gaur)
State Festival of Goa
TOUXEACHEM FEST (Feast of Cucumbers)
State Bird of Goa
Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul. Click here for a list of the birds found in Goa.
Culture Of Goa
Goa abounds in festivals and fairs around temples and churches which also commemorate early legends. They are the occasions when a Goan peasant manifesto joy and happiness. If you are under the impression that Goa is only about Portuguese Culture then be ready for a surprise. Click here to know more about Goan Culture.
Transport
By Air
Goa has a very improved network of airways, which has made the state to remain connected with the most of the important cities of India. The Dabolim Airport of Goa is located 30 km from Panaji, the capital city of the state. It is situated near Vasco-da-Gama, the port town of Goa. The airport is owned by Indian Navy and various national and international flights are operated. Some of the major airlines which have regular flights to and from Goa are Indian Airlines, Sahara Airlines, Jet Airways, Spicejet, JerLite, Kingfisher Red, Kingfisher Airlines, Paramount Airways, IndiGo Airlines and MDLR Airlines. In addition to passenger planes, cargo planes are also operated from Dabolim airport.
Various chartered flights from England and various other European countries are operated from Goa. Some of the major cities of India where flights from Goa are operated include Ahmedabad, Calicut, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Chandigarh, Delhi, Cochin, Lucknow, Mumbai, Mangalore, Pune, Srinagar, Hyderabad, Delhi, Trivandrum and Srinagar.
By Bus
Goa is connected with Inter State buses from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Long distance buses, sleeper buses and all sort of VIP-Volvo-buses run from Mumbai and from other cities to Goa.
These buses are not five star deluxe sleeper buses as taxi driver might say. So be aware of this before he fools you to buy the ticket to one of these. Ignore the snacks from the street vendor before entering the ride. There are cheaper long distance buses also available.
These buses are not five star deluxe sleeper buses as taxi driver might say. So be aware of this before he fools you to buy the ticket to one of these. Ignore the snacks from the street vendor before entering the ride. There are cheaper long distance buses also available.
The highly structured network of roadways helps the state to remain connected with the principal metropolitan cities of India. The National Highways, 4A, 17A and 17 connects the various Indian cities. National Highway 17 connects Goa with Karnataka, Maharasatra and with some parts of Kerala.
National Highway 17A is a shorter highway joins the east coast of Goa with the west coast.
National Highway 4A that crosses Panaji connects with cities like Belgaum with Karnataka and other important cities of this South Indian state.
By Train
Goa has two railways: One is the South Western Railway and the other is Konkan Railway. Konkan Railways is an easy way to reach Goa.
By Boat
Panjim, which is on the banks of the Mandovi River, has a minor port, which used to attract passenger steamers between Goa and Mumbai till the late 1980s. There was also a catamaran facility connecting Mumbai and Panaji functioned by Damania Shipping in the 1990s.
By Helicopter
Coming Soon. Helicopter Tourism and transportation by helicopter is coming to Goa.
Languages
Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, English
Main Industries of Goa
Tourism, Mining and Real Estate.
Theatre of Goa
Natak, Tiatr and Zagor are the principal dance customs of Goa's old-style performance arts. Other forms are Ranmale, Dashavatari, Kalo, Goulankala, Lalit, Kala and Rathkala.
Food
Goa is mainly and chiefly famous it’s Sea Food. Goa is now also popular for tasting its international cuisines of Portuguese, Mexican, Italian, English, Chinese, Thai and American Fast Food.
Architecture
Goa is famous for its Old Portuguese Architecture and wonderful modern designed Goan Homes. Not to be missed is the architectural designs found in ancient churches.
Sports
Football is the first love of Goans. Next is Cricket.
Media and communication
Doordarshan is the Government Channel beamed from Mumbai (Maharashtra). There is no independent Goa Doordarshan as yet.
There are over 12 Marathi News Dailies, 04 English News Dailies, O1 Konkani News Daily and lots of Magazines.
Goa has some independent TV Channels. They are HCN, Goa 365, Prudent Media,
Education
According to the 2011 census, Goa has a literacy rate of 87% with 90% of males and 84% of females being literate.
Religion
Majority is Hinduism, Next is Christianity, Then Islam and others.
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