Variously known as "Pearl
of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise",
the state of Goa is located on the western
coast of India in the coastal belt known as
Konkan.
The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural
splendours of its temples, churches and old
houses have made Goa a firm favourite with
travellers around the world. But then, Goa
is much more than just beaches and sea. It
has a soul which goes deep into unique history,
rich culture and some of the prettiest natural
scenery that India has to offer. Much of the
real Goa is in its interiors, both inside
its buildings and in the hinterland away from
the coastal area.
Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram,
an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation
of Goa.
Over the centuries various dynasties have
ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas,
Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously
the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa.
Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from
Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961
and became an Union Territory along with the
enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987
Goa was conferred statehood and became the
25th state of the Indian Republic.
Having been the meeting point of races, religions
and cultures of East and West over the centuries,
Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle
quite different from the rest of India. Hindu
and Catholic communities make up almost the
entire population with minority representation
of Muslims and other religions.
All the communities have mutual respect towards
one another and their secular outlook has
given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition
of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant
nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate
and enjoy the festivals of various religions
such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas,
Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm.
The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the
north, the state of Karnataka on the south
and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian
Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline
for which Goa is justly famous.
Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora,
Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which
weave their way throughout the state forming
the inland waterways adding beauty and romance
to the land besides being used to transport
Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese
ore to Mormugao Harbour. Along the way to
the coast these waterways form estuaries,
creeks and bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed
coastline behind which lie the fishing villages
among the coconut groves. Panaji
(Panjim) is the state capital located on
the banks of the Mandovi river and Vasco,
Margao, Mapusa and Ponda are the other major
towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national
airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. An
intra-state and inter-state bus network
also plays an important role in getting
locals and visitors alike in and around
Goa.
The vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain
range ensures that Goa has an abundance
of water. The sea and rivers abound in seafood
- prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and
lobsters are the most popular with the locals
and the visitors.
Along with English which is widely spoken
all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the
state languages. The national language Hindi
is also well understood in most areas around
the state.
Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences
the Goans had to endure during the centuries.
The staple food in Goa is fish and rice,
both among the Hindus and the Catholics.
Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan
food is not strongly influenced by the Portuguese
cuisine.
Since the arrival of the Hippies in the
sixties, Goa has been a major destination
on the itinerary of international and domestic
tourists.
The tourist season in Goa begins in late
September and carries on through early March.
The weather in these months is usually dry
and pleasantly cool.
Then the weather gets fairly hot around
May and by end of June, Goa receives the
full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden
downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However
it is also during the monsoon that Goa is
probably at its most beautiful, with greenery
sprouting all around.
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