Goa
Population
: 1.3 million
Main Languages
: Konkani, Marathi. English is widely spoken.
Telephone area code
: 0832
Best time to visit
: October to March
The former Portugese enclave of Goa, is one of India’s most
popular destination amongst travellers. The main reason for
this is its magnificent palm-fringed beaches. Despite more than
three decades of liberation from Portugese colonial rule, Roman
Catholicism remains a major religion in Goa.
Goa’s history stretches back to the 3rd century B.C.
when it formed a part of Mauryan empire . It was later ruled
by the Saravahanas of Kolhapur at the beginning of the Christian
era and was controlled by Chalukyas of Badami from 580 to 750
A.D. It fell to Muslims for the first time in 1312, but
were forced to evacuate in 1370 by Harihara I of the
Vijayanagar empore who ruled Goa for nearly 100 years. In 1469,
Goa was conquered by Sultans of Gulbarga and later it passed
on to Adil Shahis of Bijapur who made Goa their second capital.
The Portugese arrived in Goa in 1590 and ruled Goa untill 1961.
The only time when they were nearly vanquished was in the late
18th century, by the Marathas and a brief occupation
by the British during the Napoleonic wars in Europe.
Places of Interest
Panaji
It is one of India’s smallest state capitals. Panaji officially
became the capital of Goa in 1843, though the Portugese viceroys
shifted their residence from the outskirts of Old Goa to the
former palace of Adil Shah in Panaji as early as 1759
The old district, Fontainhas, is an interesting area to walk around with narrow streets,
tiled buildings with overhanging balconies and the atmosphere
is more reminiscent of Mediterranean than India. At the center,
is the Chapel of St.
Sebastian which dates from 1880s and contains a number of
interesting features. The Church
of the Immaculate Conception is Panaji’s main place of worship
and was originally consecrated in 1541. The
Secretariat which dates from the 16th century
was actually Adil Shah’s palace but became the viceroy’s residence
in 1759.
Old Goa
It is 9 kms from Panaji
and has half a dozen imposing churches and catherdrals which
are all that remains of the Portugese capital that was once
said to rival Lisbon in magnificence. The main place of
interest are :
Se
Cathedral is
the largest of the churches in Old Goa. The construction
of the Cathedral bganin in 1562 and was completed in 1652.
The cathedral was built for Dominicans and is in Portugese-Gothic
style with a Tuscan exterior and Corintham interior.
Convent
& Church of St. Francis of Asise, is
one of the most interesting buildings in old Goa. It contains
gilded and carved woodwork, old murals depicting scenes from
the life of St. Francis. The church was built by Franciscan
friars who arrived here in 1517 . The present structure was
constructed in 1661.
Basilica of Bom Jesus,
is
famous throughout the Roman Catholic world. It contains a tomb
and mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier who, in 1541, was given
the task of spreading christianity among the subjects of Portugese
colonies in the east. The construction of the church begann
in 1594 and was completed in 1605.
Other churches include
the Church of St. Cajetan, Church of St. Augustine ruins and
Church and Convent of St. Monica.
The
beaches in Goa are Fort
Aguada and Candolim which are most famous amongst the tourists
and quieter than Calngute. Calangute and Baga, Anjuna, which is famous for its Wednesday flea
market, Chapora and Vagator
which is one of the most beautiful and interesting parts of
Goa’s coastline, Bogmala,
a small and snady cove, Colva
and Benaulim have the most beautiful streches of white sand
in Goa.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
Daily flights from Delhi & Mumbai.
By
Train
Trains
from Mumbai, Delhi.
By Road
600 kms from Mumbai (14 hrs)
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