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Area : 3,800
Sq.km.
Altitude : Sea level to 1022 metres
Languages : Konkani, Marathi, English & Portuguese
Goa which shines as a Lodestar in the firmament of tourism is a
multifaceted destination. Known as the “Pearl of India” it is more
beautiful than Switzerland.
The ambience of Goa is unique and vastly different from the rest of
India. The world famous majestic Western Ghats which adorn the
state’s eastern skyline offer a wide spectrum of landscape wild life
and colours. Swaying palms miles of golden sun and sands lush
abundant greenery and mangrove forests blue skies and pale hills… A
magnificent hybrid of oriental and occidental baroque architecture
set in a tropical landscape… an incredible cultural heritage unique
cultural synthesis of east and west a rare blend of yesterday and
tomorrow…
Deities living side by side in their elegant temples magnificent
churches and mosques. International cuisine with local flavour.
Scrumptious seafood feni fruits and the spices of life. The land of
fun and frolic and hardwork as well. Such are the treasure of
Goa.Rudyard Kipling certainly did not have Goa in mind when he made
his famous comment-“East is East and West is West and never the
twain shall meet”. For there is no other place in the world that
represents so perfect a blend of the orient and occident as Goa!
The 450 years of colonial Portuguese rule have imparted a distinct
Latin ambience to the state of Goa that makes the Western tourist
feel very much at ease. But despite its Western form the soul and
content of Goa remains essentially Hindu with a tradition going back
2000 years!
There are many fragrances to Goa. And its charm lies essentially in
the fact that it’s possible for every tourist to find exactly what
he is looking for in this little haven. A holiday destination in
India for all seasons.Goa’s unique architectural tradition with its
fusion of many styles and tradition its magnificent old homes with
their priceless antiques and its temples and churches make it an
ideal place to soak in culture.
For the more energetic its varied landscape offers a wide range of
sports ranging from football and water sports to trekking. Goa is
nestled between the Sahyadri Ghats to the East and the Arabian Sea
to the West and is an emerald fleck on India’s Western shore. It is
a 50 minute flight south of Mumbai.
Much as it is famous for its beaches Goa is also famous for its
historic churches and temples. The unique culture of Hindu,
Christian Muslim and Portuguese makes for a fascinating potpourri of
architecture religion language and cuisine. The friendly and
hospitable people reflect in their moods and manners and way of life
the ethos of a rich cultural heritage. A happy distinctive blend of
East and West a splendid blossom of the all embracive Indian genius
for synthesis laced with “Alegria” the Goan spirit of laughter good
fellowship and affection. It’s no wonder that God is called the
“Pearl of the Orient”.Brilliant lush green fields of irrigated paddy
surround villages and hamlets with white painted churches standing
out against occasional empty patches of startling red soil. In the
background are the jungle-clad hills. Pizzas of churches cool temple
tanks shady Goan houses and elegant mansions splashed with the
colour of bougainvillea lend the atmosphere of lethargic Portuguese
villages.
With some of India’s finest beaches Goa has long been popular as a
place for relaxation. Yet inland Goa predominantly Hindu has much to
offer with interesting temples around Ponda and the 12th-13th
century site of Tambadi Surla. The former Portuguese enclave of Goa
has beckoned travellers for many years with its palm-fringed beaches
liberal attitudes and renowned ‘travellers’ scene.
Gleaming Portuguese-style whitewashed churches paddy fields dense
coconut palm groves and crumbling forts guarding rocky capes make up
the Goan landscape. Markets are lively colourful affairs and siesta
is widely observed during the hot afternoons. Goans love to
celebrate and this is reflected in huge number of feasts and
festivities.
Goa is a land with a glorious past. A past that extends far beyond
its four and a half centuries of colonial rule. Indeed history has
played an immense role in shaping the Goan psyche. For during the
course of its past Goa has welcomed into its midst a conglomeration
of different races and people. Infact it is the only state in India
offering a composite of cultures. And its uniqueness lies in the
fact that while creating a delicate synthesis of various cultures
Goa has retained its inherent soul. The essence of Goa lies in its
marvellous expanse of palm-fringed beaches and azure-blue seas all
warmed by the sun and local hospitality. Goa is all about relaxed
lifestyle enlivened by the Goan love for music and dance spiced up
by its superb cuisine. That’s why Goa is also known as a gourmet’s
paradise.
The climate is just the type to chill out and have fun. Summers on
the golden sands winters in the warm waters or soaking in the Goan
rains-Goa is exhilarating round the year.An experience in the
hinterlands of Goa fills the heart with more than just tranquility.
There is more to Goa than sun sand the natural beauty. The allure is
quite distinct form the rest of India-its not just the familiar
remnants of European colonialism or the picture book exoticism that
make it seem so accessible it’s the prevalence of a form of social
and political progressiveness that westerners feel they can relate
to.
History
It’s not surprising that a land so heavenly should have its origins
in a similar fashion. According to legend Lord Parashurama an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu shot an arrow from the Western Ghats into
the Arabian Sea.
He then commanded the sea to recede upto that point. And reclaimed
the beautiful land of Gomant.
More recently Goa’s history stretches back to the 3rd century BC
when it formed part of the Mauryan Empire. It was later on ruled by
the Kadamba dynasty from the 2nd century AD to 1312 and Muslims
invaded it from 1312 to 1367. In 1370 King Harihara of the
Vijaynagar Empire captured it. Only to lose it to the Bahmani
dynasty of Bidar in North Karnataka. They established Old Goa in
1440.
By this time Goa was already an important trade centre for horses
with the Vijayanagar Empire. When the Portuguese arrived Adil Shahs
of Bijapur were the Kings. The Portuguese under the command of
Alfonso de Albuquerque captured the city and made it the capital of
the Portuguese empire in the east.
The “Golden Period” of Goa was between 1575 and 1600 when the
natural harbours and wide rivers helped the sea-loving Portuguese
control the spice trade in the Indian Ocean.The Marathas nearly
defeated the Portuguese in the late 18th century. But it was not
until 1961 that the Indian Government ejected the Portuguese from
the sub continent. This worked in favour of the Portuguese
Government who had lost their ability to control its far flung
empire.Originally Goa was a Union Territory along with the former
Portuguese enclaves of Damiu. 30th May 1987 it became a full state
of the Indian Union. |
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