Tourism in Goa is generally focused on the coastal areas and tourists’ activities are mainly limited on Goa beaches. It is thesmallest state by area. While on a trip to India, you may explorevariety of lucrative Goa packages that are generally availablewith tour operators in India. You may opt for luxury or budget packagesas per your preference. You need to spare at least three days for Goatrip, although the recommended ideal time for Goa holidays is one week.
Panaji is the capital city of Goa, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. Tourism in Goa forms primary industry. In winter internationaltourists especially Europeans visit Goa to enjoy the ideal climate. Insummer domestic tourists visit here. It is also notable for cheap beer,wine and spirits. Its only airport is the Dabolim Airport that caters asmilitary as well as civilian airport. It receives international flightsfrom Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait, Britain, Germany and Russia during thecharter flight tourist season. Goa Carnival is one of the mainattractions of and presents somewhat different picture of India to theforeign visitors comparatively. It is famous for its excellent beaches,churches and temples. The Bom Jesus Cathedral, Fort Aguada, a new a waxmuseum on Indian history, culture and heritage in Old Goa are othertourist destinations.
Majorda Beach Resorts, Goa Monsoon Package
Majorda Beach Resorts, Goa Autumn Package
Goa Special Summer Package Booking
Goa Honeymoon Special Package Booking
Silver Sand Beach Resorts packages
Bogmallo Beach Resorts Mansoon Packages
Bogmallo Beach Resorts Winter Packages
Contact Us for Goa Beach Holiday Booking
Goa has an area of 3,702-km² and population of 1.344 million residents, making it India's fourth smallest state (after Sikkim,Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh). It is India's richest state with a GDPper capita. It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh FinanceCommission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best qualityof life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the12 Indicators. The historic city Margao exhibits the culturalinfluence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th centuryas merchants and conquered it. The Portuguese overseas territory existedfor about 450 years; until it was annexed by India in 1961. It isrenowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritagearchitecture that is visited by large number of international anddomestic tourists. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to itslocation on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as abiodiversity hotspot. The state is divided into two districts: North Goaand South Goa. Panaji is the headquarters of the North Goa district andMargao of the south district. Its major cities include Vasco, Margao, Mormugao, Panaji and Mapusa. Football is the most popular sport in Goa and is embedded in Goan culture.
The Portuguese converted a large portion of their subjects in Goa to Christianity. The British between 1812 and 1815 occupied it during theNapoleonic Wars. In 1843 the capital was moved to Panjim from Velha Goa.By the mid-18th century the area under occupation had expanded to formthe present day Goa. After India gained independence from the British in1947, Portugal refused to negotiate with India on the transfer ofsovereignty of their Indian enclaves. On 12 December 1961, the IndianArmy commenced with Operation Vijay resulting in the annexation of Goa,Damman and Diu into the Indian union. Goa, along with Daman and Diu wasmade into a centrally administered Union Territory of India. On 30 May1987, the Union Territory was split, and Goa was made India'stwenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining Union Territories.
Most of Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan. It has a coastline of 101 km. The main rivers include the Mandovi, theZuari, the Terekhol, Chapora River and the Sal. The Mormugao harbour onthe mouth of the River Zuari is one of the best natural harbors in SouthAsia. The Zuari and the Mandovi are the lifelines of Goa. These riversare one of the busiest rivers in India. It has more than fortyestuarine, eight marine and about ninety riverine islands. The totalnavigable length of rivers is 253 km. Goa, being in the tropical zoneand near the Arabian Sea, has a hot and humid climate for most of theyear. The month of May is the hottest, day temperatures of over 35 °C(95 °F) coupled with high humidity. The monsoon arrives by early Juneand provides relief from the heat. Most of the annual rainfall isreceived through the monsoons, which last till late September. It has ashort winter season between mid-December and February. The averagetemperature in December is between 20 °C (68 °F) to 29 °C (84 °F) withmoderate humidity.
The Western Ghats, which forms most of eastern Goa, has been internationally recognized as one of the biodiversity hotspots of theworld. In the February 1999 issue of National Geographic Magazine, itwas compared with the Amazon and Congo basins for its rich tropicalbiodiversity. The wildlife sanctuaries boast of more than 1512documented species of plants, over 275 species of birds, over 48 kindsof animals and over 60 genera of reptiles. The State has a rich forestcover of more than 1,424 km². Goa's state animal is the Gaur, the statebird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, which is a variation ofBlack-crested Bulbul, and the state tree is the Asan. Goa's forests arerich with medicinal plants. Coconut trees are ubiquitous barring theelevated regions. Goa has many famous National Parks, including therenowned Salim Ali bird sanctuary.
Goa has two World Heritage Sites; the Bom Jesus Basilica and a few designated convents. The Basilica holds the mortal remains ofSt. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint ofGoa (the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa is actually the Blessed JosephVaz). Once every twelve years, the body is taken down for venerationand for public viewing. There are many forts in Goa such as Tiracol,Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Gaspar Dias and Cabo de Rama. In many parts ofGoa, mansions constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style architecturestill stand, though in some villages, most of them are in a dilapidatedcondition. Fontainhas in Panaji has been declared a culturalquarter, showcasing the life, architecture and culture of Goa. Thearchitecture is a combination of Indian, Mughal and Portuguese styles.It has museums too; the two important are Goa State Museum and the Naval Aviation Museum. The Aviation museum is exclusive in India.
Rice is the main food crop with pulses; ragi and other food crops are also grown. Main cash crops are coconuts, cashew nuts, areca nuts,sugarcane and fruits like pineapples, mangos and bananas. Rice with fishcurry is the staple diet in Goa. Its cuisine is famous for rich varietyof fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Pork dishes such asVindaloo, Xacuti and Sorpotel are cooked for major occasions amongCatholics. An exotic Goan vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is apopular dish during the celebrations of festivals for all. A richegg-based multi-layered sweet dish known as bebinca is a favourite atChristmas. The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni;Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashewtree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 52 km from Panaji in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Goa. Eight square km in size, Bondlais "rather small" even by official accounts. It includes a Mini Zoo,Deer Safari Park, Formal Gardens, Botanic Gardens and a few EcotourismCottages.
Comments