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Guide
Goa Travel Guide
Miles of sand beneath your feet while the sun is over your head,
From down to dusk you are in a revelry of beauty and charm,
the name is Goa. The travel guide of Goa welcome you to the
place of grand sea and tranquil mango groves. For hassle free
holiday Goa
travel guide will guide you with all the information.
 Brief
Situated on the south bank of the Mandovi estuary in north Goa is Panaji or Panjim
the State Capital. Built around the Altinho hill, its Portuguese appeal can still
be seen in its elegantly red roofed Portuguese villas, boats plying up and down
the Mandovi river, gardens and avenues lined with Gulmohor and Acassia trees as
well homes built using Latin architecture.
 History
The history of Goa dates back when it changed hands from the Mauryan Empire to
the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Shilharas and Kadambas till it fell into the hands
of the Muslim rulers the Bahami Sultans and the Adil Shahis of Bijapur from whom
the Portuguese took over in 1510. The Portuguese also drove away the Turks and
emerged as the singlemost power in Goa. It was only in 1961 when the Portuguese
were finally driven out.
Culture
Panaji has a very rich
Goan cultural heritage. Music, dance and folklore are deeply rooted in the heart
of the goans and the rhythm runs in the blood of the Goans. Goan folklore comprising
of folksongs, dances, music, visual arts and folk tales, are rich in content and
variety. The folk music has devotional as well as contemporary overtones, and
it displays a lively rhythm. And the folk dances reflect that rhythmic vitality.
Climate & Geogaphical Location
Panaji enjoys a stable
warm and salubrious climate without much variation throughout the year. Panaji
or Panjim the State Capital of Goa is situated on the south bank of the Mandovi
estuary.
 How
to Reach
Air, sea, rail and road connect Panaji. By air, Panaji is connected
to major metros and cities, which include Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Chennai,
Kuwait and Thiruvananthapuram. By rail, the nearest stations are Margao, Karnali
and Thivim and are connected with Mumbai, Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad,
Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram via the Konkan Railway Corporation. By road,
Panaji is connected by good motorable roads with all the major towns in India
via the National Highways NH4A, NH17 and NH17A. KTC, MSRTC, KSRTC and APSRTC as
well as private operators operate bus services on interstate routes to Bangalore,
Hyderabad, Mangalore, Mumbai, Pune and others. A catamaran service also links
Mumbai to Panaji.
Tourist Places
Dona Paula
An idyllic picturesque spot, it commands a fine
view of the Zuari river and Mormugao Harbour. Water scootering facilities are
available here.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Built in the 16th
century, it is the most popular and famous, of all churches in Goa. The mortal
remains of St. Francis Xavier, kept in a silver casket, are enshrined here. This
church, dedicated to Infant Jesus, is now a World Heritage Monument.
 Aguada
Fort
It was built by the Portuguese in 1609-1612, to command the entry
into the river Mandovi, in order to protect, Old Goa from potential enemy attacks.
A spring, within the fort, provided water supply to the ships, that called there.
The fort, presently houses the central jail. A lighthouse is situated nearby,
the visiting hours for it being 16.00 to 17.00 hrs.
Se Cathedral
Most imposing of all the churches in Old Goa, its vaulted interior overwhelms
the visitors, by sheer grandeur. This Cathedral has five bells, of which, one
is the famous Golden bell, the biggest in Goa and one of the best in the World.
The church is dedicated to St. Catherine.
Church of St. Francis
of Assissi
The entrance and the choir, are in the Manueline style, the
only fragment of its kind in the East. The interior is illustrated with exquisite
paintings. The adjacent convent, now houses the Archaeological Museum.
Old Goa
East of, Panji, lies the site of Old Goa, founded by Adil
Shah, in the first decade of the 16th century. It was being developed by him,
with a view to shifting his capital, from Bijapur. However, Al fonso de Albuquerque
made short work of it, when he stormed and took over, to house the centre of power
of Portugues colonies.
 Vagator
It is a popular beach, dominated by the Chapora Fort, to the North, on its imposing
headland. To theSouth of Vagator is Calangute beach.
Calangute
Calangute, is the most popular holiday resort in Goa. The Albuquerque mansion
built in 1920, is flanked by octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled roof.
Anjuna
A popular beach area, adjacent to the Chapora Fort.
In Anjuna there is a magnificent Albuquerque mansion, built in 1920, flanked by
octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled-roof.
Colva beach
Colva beach is about 6 kms from Margao. Colva beach is the pride of Salcette and
only rival to Calangute, by its scenic splendour. Here, sand, sea and sky blend
in enchanting natural harmony, unspoilt by men. Has good accomodation facilities,
particularly at the tourist cottages.
Shri Manguesh
22 kms from Panaji, at Priol - Ponda Taluka, the temple of Shri Manguesh, is located
on a hillock, surrounded by lush green hills. Though small, it has an air of distinctive
elegance. Its lofty white tower at the entrance, is a landmark of the country-side.
This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shri Shantadurga
Sumptuously built at Kavlem, it is dedicated to Shantadurga, the Goddess who mediates
between Vishnu and Shiva. It has a rich and beautiful Garbhakuda, or the holy
of holies, where the deity is kept. The deity was shifted from Kelsi. Agrashalas
provide lodging facilities for the devotees.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls
Dudhsagar Waterfalls, is accessible by train only. Water plummets hundreds of
feet in large volumns, in cascades, forming one of the most spectacular of all
natural phenomena in Goa and the life of our ecosystem, in one of our Sanctuaries.
A popular destination to hikers and trekkers, it is also acessible by jeepable
(4 wheel drive) route (14 kms) through the Bhagvan Mahavir Sanctury. However,
one needs to obtain permission in advance from the Department of Forests at Junta
House, Panaji.
Others
 ARVALEM
WATERFALLS - Leaving the temple of Rudreshwar, one can descend the staircase
to look at a majestic waterfall shedding its exuberant silvery showers. The beautiful
fall, with a head of about 70 ft. forms a sizeable like at the bottom which offers
a temptation to season.
BHAGVAN MAHAVIR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY -
Situated along the North-East border of Goa at Molem the sanctuary is rich in
wildlife. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Besides flora and fauna, there are
many important geological and historical features in this sanctuary.
MARGOA - The capital of South Goa district in the hinterland of Southern
Goa in Salcete Taluka is a thriving commercial metropolis linked by rail to the
rest of India & Mormugao Harbour and by National Highways, with Maharashtra
and Karnataka.
MIRAMAR - A lovely golden beach of
soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest
to Panaji.
SHRI MAGUESH - Dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated
in the village of Bandora about 4 kms. to the east of Ponda. The temple Sabhamandap
has a gallery on both side that contains exquisite specimen of intricate wood
carvings of the event of Ramayana on one side.
VASCO -DA - GAMA
- A modern, well laid out city close to Mormugao Harbour, has beautiful and
extensice avenues. The air terminus of Goa at Dabolim lies on the outskirts of
the city. It is also the railway terminus for passanger service on the South Central
Railway.
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