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Goa is situated on the
western coast of the
Indian
Peninsula
. The essence of
Goa
lies in its marvelous expanses of palm-fringed beaches and azure-blue seas,
all warmed by the sun and local hospitality.
It
is a heady blend of serenity and excitement down with uninterrupted miles of dazzlingly beautiful
beaches. |
Some of the world's most beautiful beaches
are Calangute, Colva, Mandrem, Morjim,
Anjuna, Baga, Candolim, Sinquerim, Majorda, Benaulim, Varca, Agonda ,Vagator.
& Bogmalo .
A tropical paradise,
Goa
is enchanting all year round, especially in the month December, the state comes
alive during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Carnivals, music, partying,
it’s all happening at
Goa
in December.
Latin influence fuses with Indian color to produce an enchanting hybrid
which is quite visible in its Latinate architecture and preference for a fish- and
meat-rich cuisine. Goan cuisine is a blend of
different influences the Goans had to endure during the centuries. We dare you to eat
Sorpotel:
Sorpotel,
Goa
’s prized dish, is served mainly on feast days. It is made – up of diced
pieces of liver, heart and kidney, served in a thick gravy. The gravy is sopped up
with sannas, steamed coconut rice pucks that have an intoxicating hint of toddy.
There's more to
Goa
than sun, sand and natural beauty. The allure is quite distinct from
the rest of India Temples and churches mingle with forts and the ruins of ages
gone by. Goa
’s traditions of language, religion, dances have remained firmly entrenched
despite the end of Portuguese rule in 1961.
Once here, you can hire bikes and ride through
this picturesque state, stopping over to look at the great architecture of some of
the most amazing churches from the Portuguese era.
Important
Places of Tourist Interest
Old Goa
It was the capital of Goa during
Portuguese rule. The monuments and cathedrals today represent just a fraction of
the urban development that was Old Goa. has a collection of magnificent churches
the
Basilica of Bom Jesus with the miraculously preserved body of St. Francis Xavier;
the Se Cathedral; the
Church
of
St. Francis
of
Assisi
and the Convent of Santa Monica.
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The Basilica of Bom
Jesus
Built in the 16th century,
wherein, is enshrined in an ornate silver casket, the body of St.Francis
Xavier, the most popular and famous of all churches in
Goa
. The Basilica, dedicated to Infant Jesus, has been declared a
World
Heritage
Monument
now. 'Bom Jesus' means 'Infant Jesus' or 'Good Jesus' it is a fine example
of Jesuit architecture. |
Se Cathedral The
largest church in Asia,is a mighty 16th century monument to the Roman Catholic
rule of
Goa
under the Portuguese. Its huge Golden Bell is the biggest in the world. It has
14 side chapels; the last chapel, in Mauresque style, preserves a cross upon
which a vision of Christ is said to have appeared in 1919.
Church
of
St. Francis
of
Assisi
at Old Goa Built in pure Manueline style, the interior is adorned
with a profusion of carvings and exquisite paintings. The convent at the back
of this church is now the
Archaeological
Museum
. It houses many portraits of the Portuguese Viceroys and fragments of
sculpture from Hindu temple sites in
Goa
.
Temple of Shri Mangesh,
a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on a hillock at Priol - in
Ponda Taluka. Though small, the temple has an air of distinct elegance and its
lofty white tower is a landmark of the countryside.
Aguada Fort – This Fort was
built by the Portuguese in 1609-1612 to control the entry into the river Mandovi
and to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks. A spring within the fort
provided water supply to the ships that called there. The fort presently houses
the Central Jail.
Climate
Tropical
- between 23-35° Celsius Winters are pleasant during the days and cool
during the nights. Summers are hot and there is heavy rain during monsoons .
The best time to visit ;
The best time to visit between October and the
end of February.
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Goa
