India is a land of diverse cultures and languages spread over its many states. One state that is definitely worth a visit in India is Goa, found on the west coast of India. Goa is famous for its attractive beaches, temples, churches, festivals, food and most important its hospital people.
Location and Climate
Goa is separated from the state of Maharashtra by the Terekhol River in the north while the state of Karnataka lies to its south. The Western Ghats surround it on the east while the Arabian Sea is found to its west.
Goa is a state with moderate temperature and not much of a variation in its seasons. May is the hottest month here while January and February are the coldest. It’s rainy in Goa between June and September because of Southwest Monsoon where July gets the most rainfall.
Famous culture of Goa
Goa is very famous for its rich cultural heritage of folk songs, folk tales and visual arts. As music flows in Goan blood, most Goans can play the guitar or piano. Most of the Goan songs come from Portuguese love songs, but there are also musicians here who have created their own hard rock.
The coexistence of Hinduism and Christianity that is special in Goa which started with the Portuguese introducing their religion to a Hindu society. It was on 19th December 1961 that Goa was included into the Indian Union; however the romance of the past still lingers here.
The Goan folk dances are comprised of different strata, castes and religions of Goan society where women perform traditional dances like Dekni, Fugdi and Dhalo. Kunbi is also a famous tribal folk dance while the Morulem is performed by the backward community in Shigmo. Locals perform the Dhangar during a Navarathri, which is a great merge of worship and dance.
Food
The various cultures of Goa have produced unique Goan cuisine. Besides tandoori, rice and dal, the restaurants offer chourisso and vindalho, dishes made from pork. It was the Portuguese who had introduced cashew nuts and chilies here while plantains were brought from African colonies. You can find the best wines, including port wine and beers of India here in Goa.
Seafood is predominant here while most of the dishes here are chili hot, spicy and pungent. There are numerous restaurants found in Goa, which are famous for its wonderful seafood cuisine. Chinese restaurants here serve international cuisine while Goan restaurants offer Goan curry fish and Mangalorean delicacies.
Festivals and fairs
Festivals and fairs are played around temples and churches here; where indo-Latin festivals are the most famous carnivals. The spring festival of Saturnalia is in honor of New Year, and is a festival of joy and abandon. On the other hand, Shivaratri is a festival of austerity and penance in Goa. This is because Indians have been worshipping Lord Shiva centuries before the Indo-Iranians migrated into Goa.
Shivaratri starts on the fourteenth day of the month of Falgun and Shigmo, another festival is celebrated in the later half of the month. Zatra is a festival celebrated in all the important temples of Goa like Mangueshi, Kundai, Shiroda and Velinga.
Monuments of Goa
Goa is proud of the Old Portuguese forts found dotted around the coast of Goa. As these forts are reasonably preserved, a visit here is worth it. There are forts at Chapora is worth visiting while the one at Terekhol has been converted into hotel accommodation. These forts were built as protection from enemies from entering the river.
The Shahouri Mashed is the most famous and largest of the 27 mosques found in Ponda taluk, and was built by Ibrahim Adilshah of Bijapur in 1560. There is a wonderful masonry tank housing small chambers with ‘meharab’ designs near the mosque. Lots of people attend the festivals of Id-Ul-Fitr and Id-Ul-Zuha which are celebrated in this mosque with pomp and vigor.
The Jama Masjid is found at Sanguem, and though was built in the last century, was renovated completely in 1959. Now the structure is with harmonious proportions and simplicity with four minarets and an entrance that is flanked by two turrets on pillared kiosks. There is a dome shaped kiosk in the center of the four minarets.
Goa beaches
Some of the most beautiful beaches of the world are strung on the 100 km coastline of Goa. These beaches look like dazzling stretches of golden sand that edges the huge Arabian Sea. So beautiful are these beaches that you find it difficult to decide which beach to head for.
The twin beaches of Candolin and Calangute are found north of Panjim and the Aguada headland, and are an unbroken crescent of sand stretching four miles. In fact, Calangute became a traveler’s cliché in the 60s, earning its name of the ‘Queen of Goa’s beaches’ in Goan literature.
You find a better and more relaxing beach slightly north from here, the Baga. This is a beach that boasts of innocence and freshness of mornings, despite the many hotels, resorts, beach huts, bars, restaurants and souvenir stalls found here.
On going further north from here, you find a series of secluded beaches while in South Goa; you find the Colva and Benaulim beaches which are two kilometers from each other. These are slow paced beaches, with wonderful views. The other beaches worth visiting in Goa are the Vagator, Chapora and the Dona Paula beach.
Wildlife sanctuaries found in Goa
Besides all the temples and beaches, Goa offers rich and diverse wildlife destinations which are worth a visit here. You find the Western Ghats, or the Sahyadri to be a haven for birds and animals. You find the widest stretch of forests along the Sahyadri.
The wildlife sanctuaries of Goa boasts of deer, monkeys, slithering cobras and pythons, gaurs and giant squirrels. If lucky, you may find some black panthers on their hunting rounds. Besides all this, elephants and tigers are common sights here. This Konkan belt offers wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers and nature lovers an alternative source of entertainment when holidaying in Goa.
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