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Goa - Pearl of the Orient
Goa, among the best of the tourist destinations in India, has been favorite spot of a number of travel enthusiasts from all over the world who visit it each year in good number. Sometimes referred as the 'Pearl of the Orient', the smallest and most expensive Indian state is not less than a paradise for the visitors who love to enjoy their holidays in Goa. Lying at the western coast of India – Konkan – Goa has a coastline spread over a 125 km. the gorgeous state is believed to perform the best on the tourism map of India, with about 12% of the total international tourists coming for Goa holiday.
Travel to Goa will introduce you with its lively beach-life, striking nightlife and adventurous wildlife, grand monuments, exotic culture, delectable delicacies and rich flora and fauna, and also the rare architectural masterpieces, among other wonders.
Goa has an international airport at Dabolim, 30 km from the state capital Panaji, connecting it to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi and Chennai, and other parts of the world.
Rail
Goa’s two major railway stations are Margao (Madgaon) and Vasco da Gama, linking it to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Rajkot and Thiruvananthapuram.
Road
Bus connections are available to Mumbai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, Pune, and other important tourist destinations in the region. You can also take rented car to travel Goa.
Travel to Goa will introduce you with its lively beach-life, striking nightlife and adventurous wildlife, grand monuments, exotic culture, delectable delicacies and rich flora and fauna, and also the rare architectural masterpieces, among other wonders.
How to Reach Goa
AirGoa has an international airport at Dabolim, 30 km from the state capital Panaji, connecting it to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi and Chennai, and other parts of the world.
Rail
Goa’s two major railway stations are Margao (Madgaon) and Vasco da Gama, linking it to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Rajkot and Thiruvananthapuram.
Road
Bus connections are available to Mumbai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, Pune, and other important tourist destinations in the region. You can also take rented car to travel Goa.
Best Time to Visit
- Goa receives intense rains and heavy winds during monsoons between June and September.
- Summers stays here from March to May, and is hot and very humid.
- Winters remains from November to March, and are mild and pleasurable.
Winter season from November to March is the best time to visit Goa, making it the peak tourist season of the region.
Major Attractions in Goa
- Panaji: The capital city of Goa Panaji was known as Panjim under the Portuguese rule, being among the three most important Portuguese cities along with Velha Goa (Old Goa) and Margao.
- Vasco-Da-Gama:Vasco-da-Gama, formerly Sambhaji, is a geometrically designed and well laid out coastal town widely called Vasco.
- Margao:Goa's second largest city Margao displays the state’s Portuguese colonial past.
- Ponda:The Ponda town is considered to be the core of Hinduism in Goa.
- Mapusa:Mapusa is famous for its Sukra Bazar where Goa people buy and sell their crafts and other creations.
- Velha Goa:Velha Goa or Old Goa, which was the second capital of the Bijapur territory, displays the attractions of Sultanate age.
Beaches in Goa
- Anjuna Beach: This striking beach offers a perfect spot for swimming in the placid blue sea. Every evening, you can enjoy a mesmerizing sunset amidst the turquoise blue waters of the grand sea
- Agonda Beach: Lying in the south of Goa, Agonda beach offers you a space to spend a quality time with yourself and the splendid sea around you.
- Benaulim Beach: This fishing and rice farming village has turned into a famous beach due to the decent inflow of tourists here, each year.
- Bogmalo Beach: A small fishing village in Goa, Bogmalo beach is surrendered by palm trees and has an eye-catching beauty.
- Baga Beach: Quite popular among the tourists, this beach offers gorgeous location creating a beautiful space to hand out for visitors.
- Calangute Beach: The Calangute beach is the busiest and the most commercialized beach in Goa.
- Cavelossim Beach: You can get an amazing experience for the lifetime, being at Cavelossim beach that is named among the most popular beaches in India.
- Candolim Beach: For those who just look for a perfect gateway to lighten up at a lonely place, Candolim Beach is really an enthralling option away from the highly crowded and commercialized beaches flocked with tou
Religious Places in Goa
- Se' Cathedral Church
- Convent of St. Francis of Asisi
- Chapel of St. Catherine
- Basilica of Bom Jesus
- Church of lady of Rosary
- The Church of St. Augustine
- Shree Mallikarjun Temple
- The Hari Mandir
- Mahalaxmi Temple
- Ram Mandir
- Bodhgeshwar Temple
Fair and Festival
- Goa Carnival: Goa celebrates its carnival in the month of February with full fun and frolic.
- Feast of St Francis Xavier:The Feast of St. Francis Xavier takes place every year on 3rd December, to commemorate the death of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa.
- Feast of Three Kings:Celebrated every January during the holy Epiphany, this Christian festival attracts the Hindus as well. This festival honors the Three Kings of Magi who once brought gifts for infant Jesus Christ.
- Monte Music Festival:This festival is all about a fusion of music which binds different cultures together on one platform.
- Kesarbai Kerkar Music Festival:The famous Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar Smriti Sangeet Samaroha organized by Kala Academy is usually organized in the month of November at the Kala Academy complex in Panaji.
Flora and Fauna
Goa possesses a forest cover of 1,424 sq km, of which 33% of the geographic area is under government forests (1224.38 sq km). Out of total forest cover, about 62% is under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park. The Western Ghats comprising most of the eastern Goa have been globally known as one of the world’s biodiversity attractions.
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