f the erstwhile Portuguese rule makes Goa a natural hotspot for tourists with a leisure holiday on mind.Although Goa is a destination for tourists from all over the world it is not an expensive destination to say the least and you can afford a holiday in Goa at a cheap cost. Something that the backpackers discovered long ago and continue to do so by traveling to Goa regularly.Goa holidays have been the favourite of people on low budgets as well as the high net worth travelers simply because it has the will to accommodate a wide category of tourists.
Goa's natural beauty to a large extent is the result of the Portuguese rule in Goa which extended to this place from the year 1510 to 1961 encompassing over 450 years of colonial rule which transformed Goa into a place blending the west with the east and its cuisine, local habits and dress codes are ample testimony to this fact. Goa's architecture of major houses and antique mansions is a glaring evidence of the impact which Portugal had over tiny Goa. The Portuguese culture has left an indelible mark on Goa's lifestyle which has endeared tourists to this place which is an ideal holiday destination with affable and friendly people to supplement a well-deserved holiday.
Goa is among the younger states of India and is very small in size compared to majority of the other Indian states and covers an area of only 3,702 km . In fact it is a linear stretch of coastal paradise known as the Konkan belt facing the Arabian Sea. Goa's coastline has a length of around 100 kilometres and the Goan mainland comprises of many rivulets, the major ones being the famous Mandovi in Panjim, the river Zuari in Cortalim, the Chapora river in Chapora, the terekhol river, the sal river in Salcete and the Betul river in the south. The Mormugao harbour is the natural harbour on the mouth of the Zuari river and is a busy port serving the needs of Goa's logistic operations.
Historically it is known that the Mandovi and the Zuari rivers are the lifelines of Goa with their tributaries claiming over 70 percent of Goa's area. Goa is blessed with more than eight marine and about ninety riverine islands and forty estuaries. The entire navigable length of Goa's rivers is around 157 miles.
Goa has plenty of beach area and several beaches are made famous over the ages. Each beach in Goa has an identity of its own and a following which goes beyond the seas. The most famous beaches of Goa are the Calangute beach, Anjuna Beach, Vagator beach, Dona Paula beach and Miramar beach in the north and Colva Beach, Benaulim Beach, Majorda Beach and Arossim beach in the south. The beaches have popularized Goa as the beach capital of India and it is rightly so. Over a million visitors visit Goa every year and holidaymakers to Goa are often known to find quick relaxation in Goa owing to Goa's laid back natural feeling which is summed up by the word "succegado", nostalgic to Goa and which means "laid back".
Goa's lush green surroundings give you a feel of openness and one can indulge in fre
e spirited movement in Goa while following action after action and pursuing endless opportunities to roam around and enjoying all-night partying at certain locations. Goa's fun is not limited to the rich pockets and people of every budget can enjoy the spirit of fun and abandonment.
The Culture of Goa showcases a distinctly different cultural outlook compared to the rest of India. Its population has a wonderful mix of both Hindu and Christian people who live in perfect harmony in this most peaceful state of India. The traditional customs of the Hindus still remain intact in Goa and the traditional shigmo is one such festival which makes good entertainment besides many other such festivals of the Hindus. The Catholics in Goa celebrate feasts at various occasions including the feasts of every church in Goa. Goa has hundreds of Churches one in every village and city and as such festivities in Goa abound throughout the year .The traditional Carnival is observed in Goa with great fervour and marks Goa's distinguished western flavor in Eastern India.The people of Goa therefore observe the festivals of Christmas, Easter, Ganesh Chaturthi and Shigmo with equal zest.
Goa's staple food is fish curry rice and fish in itself is a desirable delicacy for almost every Goan and many lip-smacking fish preparations continue to decorate the Goan menu for ages. The Goan cashew feni is a natural brew extracted from the juice of the cashew fruit in Goa and has made Goa famous by its nostalgic delight all over the world. The Cashew feni is also known to have great medicinal value and is often used in Goa with other natural additives as a cure for many ailments. Goa is also known to extract maximum produce from its natural resource of palm trees which provide Goans with a great income and often runs households entirely on the coconut trade. Coconut vinegar is also very popular among Goans and unlike other places in India which use citric acid as vinegar, Goans continue to use natural palm toddy to produce vinegar which is used for various Goan preparations including the tasty delicacy called "Goan sannas". Palm trees also yield a brew known as "Maddancho Feni "which is prepared from palm toddy.
You can reach Goa by air, road and rail. Daily flights are connected to the major cities in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai etc. Goa is hardly at a distance of 600 kms from Mumbai and buses are plying to Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune daily .Train services to Goa rae mainly along the Konkan railway route and several trains run through Goa which include the Konkan kanya, Matsyagandha express, Mandavi express, Netravati, Hapa express etc. The major stations in Goa include Margao, Vasco, Tivim, and Karmali. Although Goa has a large coastline, travel by sea has still not caught fancy and has been interrupted several times after being launched.
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3 comments:
What i like most here coming to goa, its admirable culture and vanish experience of beaches tour
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