Goa at once reminds you of silver sea beaches wetted
by blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, the strummi
ng
guitars from distant taverns, white churches resting against green paddy
fields and coconut groves, long starry nights spent over brewed feni, sun
and sea. This is Goa - the romantic land of India.
History
of Goa Goa is one of the youngest states of the Indian
Union, it attained statehood after 451 years of colonial rule and 26 years
as Union territory. Its history dates back to the 3rd century when it
belonged to the Mauryas, followed by the rule of the Satvahanas, Chalukyas
and then the Shilharas and Kadambas. In 1312, Goa fell into the hands of the
Muslims when Harihara of the Vijayanagar Empire evacuated the coastal area.
The Muslim rule ended when the Portuguese took over in 1510. During the
Napoleonic wars, Britishers had a brief occupation of Goa otherwise the
Portuguese were masters of Goa till 1961 when they were finally driven out.
Culture
of Goa Goan culture is blend of East & West -- Goa's 450
years under Portuguese domination produced a unique, syncretic blend of East
and West that is at once exotic and strangely familiar: Christmas and
Carnival are celebrated as enthusiastically by the 30% Christian minority as
Diwali and Durga puja are by the mainly Konkani-speaking 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.
Capital of Goa
Since 1843, Panaji, still looks and feels like a sleepy Portuguese town. Set
along the southern bank of the salty Mandovi river, Panaji is among the most
pleasant Indian capitals. Though most people use it as a linkage to old Goa
or to the beaches, it's worth a visit. The atmosphere is easygoing and the
people are friendly. In the oldest part of the town, the Portuguese heritage
is evident: broad avenues spilling into cobbled squares, grand public
buildings, old houses with overhanging balconies and numerous bars and
cafes.
The People of Goa
The palm-lined coastal plains, the wooded uplands and beaches
so still and endless, create an illusion of lethargy - laziness. 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 recent 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 and the Gulf states.
Population
3 million
Town/Cities of Goa
Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco, Old Goa, Margao
Places
to Visit in Goa Anjuna Beach, Aguada fort, Calangute Beach,
St. Cathedral Church of St. Francis, Jesus Basilica, Dudhsagar, Waterfalls,
Carambolin Lake, Mansions & More...
Goa
Festivals Mardi Gras Carnival in Feb-March; Shri Mangesh
festival in Feb; Christmas in Dec; Feast of St. Francis Xavier in Dec; and
more
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