Goa is India's smallest state by area
and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region
known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north,
and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western
coast. Goa is India's richest state with a GDP per capita two and a half times
that of the country as a whole. It was ranked the best placed state by the
Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the
best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on
the 12 Indicators.
Panaji is the state's capital, while
Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits
the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th
century as merchants and conquered it soon thereafter. Goa is a former
Portuguese province; the Portuguese overseas territory of Portuguese India
existed for about 450 years until it was annexed by India in 1961.
Goa is visited by large numbers of
international and domestic tourists each year for its beaches, places of
worship and world heritage architecture. It also has rich flora and fauna,
owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a
biodiversity hotspot.
Places to Visit
Tropical Spice Plantation
The guide at
Tropical Spice Plantation is the best spice coach in Goa. Having been there a
dozen times and to many other Spice plantations in Goa this writer knows. The
only spice guide better than Minino here is a chap called Alwin in Kumily.
Located in keri (ponda), a village untouched by pollution, 6 km off ponda,
Tropical Spice plantation can also be reached from Panjim via Mardol.
This plantation is
a sprawling tract of green undulating un-spoilt nature. Generously blessed with
all the elements ....earth, wind, water and fire in the form of the famous
fiery feni of Goa. The cover of green, the busy birds and the snake infested
water body (its perfectly safe) make it a breathtaking destination.
A ride on elephant
back is a good idea by this writer is not at all thrilled with the
"elephant bath" option on offer here.
The splendor of
this place, the wonderful food and the amazing staff make Tropical Spice
Plantation a fantastic must do attraction that offers a tangible option to the
beaches of Goa and thus plays a vital role in Goa Tourism.
Arambol Beach
Away from the
bustling tourist hub, if you are seeking for a secluded environment amidst the
groove of cashew trees, the Arambol
Beach in Goa is an ideal
pick. An approximate 50 kms drive from Panjim, en route the winding road, the
Arambol Beach is one of the rocky cum sandy beaches
in Goa. It offers a fresh and tranquil ambiance and also exhibits the
ethnicity of Goans’.
One of the major
attractions close to the Arambol
Beach in Goa is the fresh
water lake. Nonetheless the local culture dwelling around the Arambol beach is
also a major attraction to travellers. Presently there are no such recommended
hotels close to this beach but one who is looking to accommodate oneself in and
around may prefer to step in guest houses, houses and Arambol Beach Huts.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls
The Dudhsagar waterfalls are one of the prime attractions
in Goa which is located in the Sanguem district of Goa. These waterfalls are
located near the Goa-Karnataka border. These beautiful waterfalls are located
at a distance of approximately 60 kilometers from Margao. One can easily reach
the tourist spot by hiring a taxi or taking a bus from Margao or you can take
bus from Panaji but the best way to get here is by train and the best time to
see it is the monsoon.
Goa Churches
Goa
Churches: Travelers must visit its famous churches as Goa is exactly
synonymous with churches. All these churches are great example of rich
historical past of Goa and are living testimonies of ancient culture. Basilica
of Bom Jesus, Reis Magos Church, Se Cathedral, Church of St. Augustine, Church
of St. Francis, Mary Immaculate Conception and St. Anne Church are some of the
famous churches in Goa.
Shanta Durga Temple
This is the most famous temple of
Goa and holds a special place in the heart of every Goan Hindu and also in
Goans as a whole. This is one of the most important tourist places in Goa.
Mangeshi Temple
The stunning 400-year-old Shri
Mangesh temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is outstanding with its simple
and elegant structure. It is considered to be the most beautiful among the
temples in Goa and among the most important places to visit in Goa. A wonderful seven-storeyed lamp tower or deepstambha
stands in the temple complex. The temple also has a beautiful water body, which
many believe is the oldest part of the temple.
Mandrem
Beach
A beach that is
quite secluded to the other beaches, the Mandrem
Beach is an ideal pick for
foreign tourists. A perfect hideaway for a sunburn day, this beach offers a
charismatic ambiance dotted with beach huts, small guest houses and some
resorts.
Morgim Beach
Home to the Olive
ridley sea turtle, an endangered species, the Morjim
Beach is one of the popularbeaches
in Goa that is located in
Pernem on the northern bank of the Chapora River estuary. Being in its ambiance
one could easily discover why Morjim is often dubbed as “Little Russia”.
Vagator Beach
The Vagator Beach is one of the most happening places in
Goa. It is one of the beaches
in Goathat is the center of Goa's trance party scene. Nonetheless the Vagator Beach in Goa is divided into three sections, the
Big Vagator for the Indians, Little Vagator for the Israelis and Ozran for the
Italians.
Candolim Beach
The Candolim Beach is one of the most happening and
frequented beaches in Goa that is also one of the longest
beaches in the state. Nonetheless the Candolim Beach is also famous for hosting
India’s biggest electronic music dance festival, the Sunburn Festival, which is
organized by Percept, an Entertainment, Media and Communications conglomerate.
The Sunburn Festival is organized every year in the month of December.
Baga Beach
Located in North
Goa, the Baga Beach is one of the happening beaches in Goa that hosts everything from water
sports to fine dining restaurants, along with a pulsating nightlife. The major
attraction at Baga Beach in Goa is water sports, which includes parasailing,
wind surfing, kite surfing and Jet Ski.
Anjuna Beach
The Anjuna Beach is one of the popular and bustling beaches in Goa that fetches tourists all throughout
the year. During the peak tourist season the Anjuna beach hosts trance parties
and the famous flea market (Every Wednesday) wherein you can purchase many
things, ranging from fruits to jewelry, clothes and electronic devices.
Colva Beach
Colva is one of
the historical towns in Goa that dates back to the early 17th century. The
popular Colva Beach is approximately 6 kms from Margao and
is graced with 25kms of the fine white sand and is bounded along its coast by
coconut palms that stretch from Bogmalo in the north to Cabo de Rama in the
south along south Goa's coastline.
Calangute Beach
The Calangute Beach is one of the popular beaches in Goa and is often dubbed as the “Queen of
the Beaches”. It is a perfect getaway for the hippies and the best time to
visit the Calangute Beach is during the Christmas and New Year and in the month
of May. The Calanguate beach secludes a perfect environment of the local Goan
culture and it is said that the beach was discovered by the hippies themselves
in the early 60s.
Sinquerim Beach
Along with Bogmalo, also in the Bardez district, the Sinquerim Beach is one of the few beaches in Goa where you can
rent windsurfers, water skis, and other water toys without having to be a guest
at a hotel. It's much cheaper to rent equipment from these places, but check
the condition of the equipment and make sure life jackets are provided; also
check, if possible, with others on the beach to verify adequate supervision.
Stretching in front of the Taj resorts, this small, sandy beach can get crowded
with tourists and vendors.
Miramar Beach
The Miramar Beach is one of the most visited beaches in Goa that is located in Panjim. The Miramar
Beach of Goa is also known as 'Gasper Dias' and is a 2 kilometers long beach
graced with silvery sand bed. It also offers a kaleidoscopic view of the Aguada
fort, which is provides peaceful surroundings and solitude.
Dona Paula
Located close to Panjim and overlooking the Arabian Sea, Dona Paula is one of the popular hangout
destinations in Goa. During the tourist season, between the months of November
and March, Dona Paula beats the clamour of tourists from different parts of the
world which is otherwise a calm beautiful place during monsoons.
Varca Beach
Located about 2
kilometers from Benaulim, the Varca
Beach is one of the beautiful
and exotic beaches in Goa that is popular for quiet, calm and
almost entirely hawker-free environment.
One who is looking
forward for a tranquil and romantic holiday in Goa, far from the clamour of the
tourists even during the peak season, the Varca
Beach in Goa is a perfect
pick. It also offers an utopian nature for people who seek for meditation and
yoga.
Agonda Beach
Agonda is a great spot for sunbathing, relaxing and swimming, with still
relatively few tourists. Agonda is a nice long pristine stretch of beach.
Though the waters here might not be the most ideal place for swimming (you have
better beaches with calm waters in Goa), Agonda is definitely a place for those
who want to quit on a Monday morning. Most mobile connections do not work here
(of those having SIM cards easily available to foreigners, only Vodafone does),
so that is an added bonus for those looking forward to a quiet and relaxed
holiday.
About PRABISH BISHUNGKHE
0 comments :
Post a Comment