Goa is India’s smallest state by its geographical area and the fourth smallest by population. The state has been a very important historical and cultural centre since ancient times. In a Hindu scripture Mahabharata it is referred as Gopakpattan or Gomant and in Sutra- Samhita it was mentioned as Govapuri. Located on India’s West coast, Goa is a former Portuguese colony with prolific history. The state has unique blend of Indian and Portuguese culture, art and architecture that pulls approx 2.5 millions (wiki) tourists every year. And hence Goa is visibly different from the rest of India.
The magical land of Goa is a land of celebrations and festivities. Snuggled in the Konkan Coast Belt, It has a long coastline of approx 100 kilometers. Goa is primarily known for its beautiful beaches which are engrossed with oscillating palm trees and an astonishing nightlife. It is a wonderful place embraced by joy & happiness only. However, apart from beaches there is much more in Goa. It is such a destination that combines the charm of the old world fashion with exoticism of the new age. And this is the reason why Goa has always been visited by a huge number of national and international tourists each year. Goa is one such captivating tourist destination in India which has something to offer to every enthusiast traveler coming here, nevertheless of budget and varying travel habits. It is also a popular honeymoon destination. The real beauty of Goa lies in its beautiful beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture. It also has bountiful flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghat Range and it is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
Culture :
Goa stands out all across the globe for its legacy of the Portuguese colonial regime of more than 450 years and heritage. The Portuguese came in GOA in the year of 1510 AD, attracted by exotic East and the promise of lucrative spice routes. Its traditional culture has been primarily crafted by the Hindu and Catholic population. Bestowed with better connectivity by airways, railways and roadways, there has been inrush of people from all neighboring states that has shaped variant cultures. People across the country have now come and settled here.
Beaches in Goa :
Despite being the smallest state in India, Goa is synonymous to many captivating things that are best showcase of a life without stress and worries. The multitude of beaches in Goa offer a range of activities such as beautiful walks along the palm fringed shores sprawled with unique shells and intriguing boat rides. There are range of beach huts where tourist can stay in and restaurants in which one can taste local and delicious sea food. There are numerous beaches in the Goa but the beach that is perfect for you will fully depend upon the kind of experience you want to have. Some of the popular beaches of Goa can be named as Arambol, Agonda, Anjuna and Vagator, Calangute, Candolim, Cavelossim, Colva, Dona Paula - a popular beach. Palolem, Sinquierem, Bogomolo - a beautiful and serene beach near Vasco Da Gama.
Tourism in Goa
Tourism activity is generally promoted on the coastal areas of Goa. This picturesque state is a destination of choice for Indian and foreign tourist, especially Britons and Russian travelers. Goa stands 6th among the top ten Nightlife cities in the world in National Geographic Travel. A water sport is the prime attraction of the state. Popular beaches such as Baga and Calangute offer jet-skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, water scooter rides, and much more. Patnem beach in Palolem stood third in CNN Travel's top twenty Beaches in Asia.
Established Historical Sites and Neighbourhoods
Goa has two popular World Heritage Sites namely the Bom Jesus Basilica and Churches and Convents of Old Goa. The Basilica is the showcase of mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, honored by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa. Sanctuary of Saint Joseph Vaz in Sancoale is one of the popular attractions for tourists. There are various forts in Goa such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Reis Magos, Nanus, Mormugao, Fort Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama.
Museum and Science Centre in Goa
Goa has three important museums viz. the Naval Aviation Museum, the Goa State Museum and the National Institute of Oceanography. There are only three aviation museum in India the others are in Delhi and Bengaluru. The Goa Science Center located in Miramar; Panji is also one of the tourist spot for science enthusiasts. The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is located in Dona Paula.
Dance and Music of Goa
Dekhnni, Fugdi, Corridinho, Mando, Dulpod and Fado are some of the famous traditional Goan art form. Goan Catholics are mainly fond of social gathering and Tiatr. Music and dance is integral part of every Goan home as their culture is high influenced by Portuguese history. There is a popular saying that "Goans are born with music and sport".
How to Reach Goa
Goa being one of the inevitable tourist destinations in India, it is quite easily accessible from various parts of India by air, rail and road. Snuggled between hills and seas, overlooking the Arabian Sea is graced with some of the India’s best beaches that draw in tourists from distant parts of the country and globe. There is a well knit of roadways that connects Mumbai to Goa. Mumbai to Goa is approximately 600 kilometer, Pune is around 450 kilometer and Kolhapur is approximately 230 kilometers. If you are planning to drive Goa by road from Bengaluru, you have to drive through National Highway 4 that connects to State Highway 34 followed by National Highway 4A and pelt along the State Highway 7. The approximate distance from Bangalore to Goa is 560kms and it takes more or less 9 long hours.
How to Reach Goa
How to Reach Goa by Air:
Dabolim is the main domestic as well as international airport which is located at approximately 26 kilometer from Panji (capital city of Goa). This airport has two dedicated terminals – Terminal one is the domestic terminal and Terminal two is international terminal. This airport receives all major domestic flights including Air Asia, Air India, GoAir, Indigo, Jet Airways and SpiceJet from all major cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Indore, Chennai and Pune. The airport is also served by flights from international destinations such as Muscat, Doha and Copenhagen. Travelers can hire private taxi/cab from outside the airport to reach anywhere in Goa.
How to Reach Goa by Rail:
Railways is the most convenient way to reach Goa as the state is served by two major railheads, namely Vasco da Gama and Madgaon. These two railheads are extremely well linked to other major railway stations of the country through an extensive rail network. Madgaon receives trains on regular basis from New Delhi, where Goa Sampark Kranti Express and Trivandrum Express are the most prominent ones. Madgaon railway station is around 38 kilometer away from Panjim, Vasco da Gama railway is approximately 29 km away. Tourists can avail of taxi services from outside the railway stations.
How to Reach Goa by Road:
Goa has excellent network of roads and highways. The state is connected by four national highways that connect the city to the other major cities in India such as Mumbai, Mangalore, Belgaum, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune and Chennai. The state Government-run Kadamba Transport Corporation has many buses connecting Goa with other parts of India. Many privately operated buses also connect Goa to major cities in India.
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