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| Guide to Goa |
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[ Beaches ] [ Churches & temples ] [ Forts ] |
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 Stretches of endless silver sand and white surf beaches wetted by the rush of the 'azure' arabian sea, the revelling of late
nights over the local feni brew, the tarvernas, white churches and temples resting against plush green padding fields and coconut
trees, the nostalgic atmosphere, longer days of sun, sand and sea, in other words -- Welcome to Goa.
But there's so much more than the sun, sand and trance. The allure of Goa is that it remains distinct from the rest of the other
Indian states, and is yet small enough to get hold of and explore in a myriad of different ways. Its not just the familiar
remnants of European colonialism that make Goa seem so accessible, but rather the prevalence of Christianity and some form of
socio-political progressiveness that tourists most notably Westerners, can relate to. Although Hindus outnumber Catholics by 70-30,
there are more skirts and pants than saris, and its people display a sense of liberality and civility which you'll be hard pressed
to find elsewhere in India. Goa is perhaps the only place in India where shorts and tank tops and skimpy outfits are not frowned
upon anywhere except at religious locations.
 The palm-lined coastal plains, the wooded uplands and beaches so still and endless, create an illusion of lethargy - laziness or Sosegado,
the local term. But in reality, Goans are hardworking, full of song, dance and merriment. Tourism is the main money-spinner and
the majority of the population is engaged in related business. On the coast itself, coconut cultivation and fishing (both
in-shore, with small boats, canoes and hand-nets, and off shore, with modern trawlers) are still the main sources of income. The
discovery of iron in the hills to the east has also generated considerable revenue, and the economy is further fuelled by the
stream of remittance cheques sent home by expatriate Goans working in Mumbai, the Gulf states, Europe and the U.S.
Blend of East & West -- Goa's 450 years under Portuguese domination produced a unique, syncretize blend of East and
West that is at once exotic and strangely familiar: Christmas and Carnival are celebrated as enthusiastically by the 30-percent
Goan Christian population as Diwali and Durga puja are by the Goan Hindus. The state's separate identity is discernible in other
ways too, most visibly in its Latinate architecture, but also in a preference for a fish-and meat-rich cuisine. Another marked
difference is the prevalence of alcohol. Beer is cheap, and six thousand or more bars around the state are licensed to serve it,
along with the more traditional tipples of feni, the local hootch, and toddy, a derivative of palm sap.
Being the highest literate state in the union territory of India, Goa has come along way now from just being a beach haven. Apart
for its distinctiveness, progress in fields of Education, Information Technology and Industry have scaled to new heights and all
round development. But still a lot needs to be done as bureaucracy is seen as the major hindrance towards all round
development of
the state. |
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| Facts on Goa |
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Country : Goa, India
Area : 3660 sq km
Population :
Capital City : Panaji
Airport : Dabolim (29kms from Panaji) Railhead: Madgaon (25 kms from Panaji)
People : Goans
Language spoken : English is widely spoken and understood. Konkani (The Official State language) and Hindi are the other
languages used for communication.
Religion : Hindu, Christian and Muslim
Time : Five and a half hours ahead of GMT.
Climate : Maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is upto 900
mm in the monsoons (June-August). |
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| When to visit
Goa: |
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Goa is popular throughout the year & displays its own charm in every
season. Generally known as
Holi, the month of Phalgun signifies the onset of what in Goa is known as Shigmo.
Celebrated mostly by the masses in the close religious association of religious
rites, the festival of Shigmo is accompanied by the fanfare of drum beats and
the epic enactions of Mythology. Colour in vivid vibrancy hues the festivities
that bedeck every area that is celebrating Shigmo.
Today, the Shigmotsav has
highlighted its festivities with the performance of troupes in the form of
parades and cultural dances. The streets in the townships, at dusk resound with
the music of the Dholl, the drums and conches as huge effigies of wondrous
colour and light effects parade their way to prize winning combinations
The month of March, 'Carnival' - is an event celebrated by Goan Christian community. It is a 3-day festival of fun and merry
making and colourful floats, a 3 day orgy just before the 40-day Lenten period of fasting. Huge parades through the cities are
organised with bands, floats and dances and balls in the evenings. The final day concludes with the famous red-and-black dance
held by the Clube Nacional in Panjim. The origins of carnival are apparently the hedonistic feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. It
made its appearance in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, where it metamorphosed into the very Latin singing-dancing. The
carnival is presided over by King Momo, who on the opening day declares the countdown to fun and merry making. Hotel bookings must
be done in advance for carnival as the festival attracts thousands of tourists.
Look at the hotel beaches & resorts guide on this site.
We have a wide choice of
beach resorts, mainland hotels all over Goa. For a hotel guide Click here |
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[ Beaches ] [ Churches & temples ] [ Forts ] |
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