Goa Tourism

Goa India Tourism
About Goa

Goa traces its history to a very ancient period. It was known as Gopakpattan or Gomant in the Bhimparva of the Mahabharata and as Govanpuri in the Sutra-Samhita. Ptolemy, the great geographer, astronomer and mathematician of Alexandria (2nd century AD) refers to Goa as Gouba. Goa was under the Satavahanas from the 2nd century BC, thereafter under the sway of the western Kshetrapas from 150 AD. Chalukyas of Badami ruled over it for over 200 years from 540 AD. Then Rashtrakutas dominated the area from 753 AD to 797 AD. Kadambas of Goa replaced them and ruled over Goa from 1008 AD to 1300 AD. Goa at that time became a great centre of maritime trade. Thereafter Goa came under the control of Yadavas of Devagiri, Delhi Sultans (1336 to 1378 AD), Vijaynagar rulers (1378 to 1470 AD), Bahamani sultans of Deccan and later the Adilshahis of Bijapur (1470 to 1515 AD)

After the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco-da-Gama in 1498, many Portuguese expeditions came to India. In 1510, Afonso de Albuquerque with the help of the emperor of Vijaynagar attacked and captured Goa. With the arrival of the Jesuit Saint Francisco Xavier in 1542 began proselytisation in Goa. However, the Portuguese continued to rule over the territory except for an interlude during the later half of the 17rb century when Shivaji conquered a few areas in and around Goa. Even after India's independence, Goa continued to remain in the hands of die Portuguese. However, they could not fulfill the aspirations of Goa people and ultimately on 19 December 1961, Goa was liberated and made a composite Union Territory with Daman and Diu. On 30 May 1987 Goa was conferred Statehood and Daman and Diu made a separate Union Territory.

Goa is a land of golden beaches tucked away between the hills of the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Its land is covered with groves of cashews, mango and coconut, and is edged by long sunny beaches. A languid tropical climate, a gentle people it is popular for local liquor feni. Which beach beach you opt for when you arrive largely depends on what sort of holiday you have in mind. More developed resorts such as Calangute and Baga in the north, and Colva and Benaulim in the south, offer more "walk­ in“ accommodation and tourist facilities than elsewhere. Even if you're looking for a less touristy scene, it can be worth heading for these centres first, as finding places to stay in less commercialized corners is often difficult. Anjuna , Vagator, and Chapora, where accommodation is generally more basic and harder to come by, are the beaches to aim for if you've come to Goa to party. However, the bulk of budget travellers taking time out from tours of India end up in Palolem, in the far south, or Arambol, both beyond the increasingly long reach of the charter buses. That said, Palolem, in particular, has become a resort in its own right, with thousands of long-stay visitors in peak season.
Panaji (Panjim) and Central Goa

Panaji, the capital of Goa is a small town, laid out on a grid pattern overlooked by the Altinho (hill) to the south, which offered defensive advantages. The riverside boulevard (Devanand Bandodkar Marg) runs from the new Patto Bridge, past the jetties, to the formerly open fields of Campal. Along it there are some of the town's main administrative buildings.
Palolem Beach,Goa,India
Palces of Interest


Palces of Interest

(1) Idalcao Palace (2) Abbe Faria (3) Braganza Institute; Largo Da Igreja; Church of Immaculate Conception (4) Jama Masjid (5) St.Thome (6) Mint (7) Sebastian Chapel.
Beaches

(1) Miramar (2) Dona Paula (3) Vainguinim


Palolem Beach,Goa,India
Palces of Interest

(1) Idalcao Palace (2) Abbe Faria (3) Braganza Institute; Largo Da Igreja; Church of Immaculate Conception (4) Jama Masjid (5) St.Thome (6) Mint (7) Sebastian Chapel.
Beaches

(1) Miramar (2) Dona Paula (3) Vainguinim

Old Goa – Velha Goa

A one-time byword for splendour with a population of several hundred thousand, Goa's erstwhile former capital, OLD GOA, was virtually abandoned following malaria and cholera epidemics from the seventeenth century onwards. Today you need considerable imagination to picture the once-great capital as it used to be. The maze of twisting streets, piazzas and ochre-washed villas has gone, and all that remains is a score of cream-painted churches and convents. Granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO, Old Goa today attracts busloads of foreign tourists from the coast, and Christian pilgrims fie around India, in roughly equal numbers. While the former come to admire to gigantic facades and gilt altars of the beautifully preserved churches, the main attraction for the latter is the tomb of St Francis Xavier, the renowned sixteenth-century missionary, whose remains are enshrined in the Basilica of Born Jesus.
Palces of Interest

(1) The Tomb of St.Francis Xavier in the magnificent Cathedral of Bom Jesus. (2) Arch of the Viceroys and the Church of St.Cajetan (3) The Se (St.Catherine’s Cathedral (4) The Archbishop’s Palace (5) The Church of St.Francis of Assisi and Archeological Museum.

Calangute Beach,Goa,India
North Goa

Beyond the mouth of the Mandovi estuary, the Goan coast sweeps north in a near-continuous string of beaches, broken only by the odd saltwater inlet, rocky headland, and three tidal rivers. Goa beaches are among the best in the world. Calangute and Candolim are the two beaches at a distance of the 15km from Panaji.Once Calangute was the paradise of the Hippies.Baga beach is 2km north of Calangute and is a favourite tourist spot.

Palces of Interest

Fort Aguada: The Fort, built in 1612,at a distance of 19km from Panaji at the mouth of Mandovi river had the first lighthouse in Asia equipped with a room for ammunition, barracks and a church. It was a place of strength and power. It houses a jail today.

Main Beaches

(1) Calangute (2) Baga (3) Candolim (4) Anjuna (5) Vagator (6) Chapora (7) Arambol
Mapusa

Mapusa stands on a long ridge, which runs east west, fertile agricultural land occupying the flat valley floor rights up to the edge of the town. Mapusa is known for beautiful gardens and houses. Panaji to Mapusa covering a distance of 13 km.

South Goa
Ponda
Ponda is surrounded by hills on all sides and has many Hindu temples.

Madgaon Or Margaon
Madgaon is the commercial capital of Goa, capital of the Salcete province. It is well connected by rail and road. Madgaon is famous for its well-maintained gardens and beautiful houses. The king of the beached the Colva Beach is located at a distance of 2km from Madgaon (40 km from Panaji). Benaulim Beach is 2 km south of Colva.Other important beaches are Varca Beach and Betul Beach.

Vasco Da Gama

Vasco is 31 km from Panaji.The only airport of Goa is located at the fringe of Vasco city.

Hotel Accommodation: Cidade De Goa Beach Resort, Fort Aguada Beach Resort, Four Seasons Leela Beach Resort, Goa Renaissance Resort, Holiday Inn Resort, Sarovar Park Plaza Resort, Hotel La Paz Garden, Hotel Mondovi, Nanu Resort, Hotel Nova Goa, Hotel Prainha, Ronil Beach Resort, Sea Queen Beach Resort.


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