Goa
in brief
Variously known as "Pearl
of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the
state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the
coastal belt known as Konkan. 
The magnificent scenic
beauty and
the architectural splendours of its temples, churches
and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with
travellers around the world.
But then, Goa is much more
than just beaches and sea.
It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture
and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to
offer.
Much of the real Goa is
in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland
away from the coastal area.
Legends from Hindu mythology
credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with
the creation of Goa.
Over the centuries various
dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas,
Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously the Portuguese
have been rulers of Goa.
Goa was liberated by the
Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961
and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman
and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became
the 25th state of the Indian Republic.
Having been the meeting
point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over
the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle
quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic
communities make up almost the entire population with minority
representation of Muslims and other religions.
All the communities have
mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook
has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious
harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows
them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions
such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id
with equal enthusiasm.
The state of Maharashtra
borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south
and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west
forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous.
Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi,
Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which
weave their way throughout the state forming the inland waterways
adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used to
transport Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese
ore to Mormugao Harbour. Along the way to the coast these
waterways form estuaries, creeks and bays breaking the sandy,
palm-fringed coastline behind which lie the fishing villages
among the coconut groves.
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South
India Tour Packages |
Best of Karnataka Tour (Duration
: 8 Days)
(Mumbai - Bangalore - Mysore - Hassan - Bangalore -
Mumbai)
Temple & Beaches Tour
(Duration : 13 Days)
(Chennai - Bangalore - Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Badami
- Goa - Chennai)
Beaches of South India
(Duration : 15 Days)
(Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur -
Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kollam - Verkala - Kovalam
- Trivandrum)
Beaches & Hill Stations
(Duration : 17 Days)
(Cochin - Kumarakom - Trivandrum - Kovalam - Kollam
- Periyar - Kodaikanal - Ooty - Mysore - Hassan - Bangalore
- Cochin)
Backwaters & Hill
Station of Kerala (Duration : 11 Days)
(Cochin - Mararikulam - Marari - Periyar - Munnar -
Kumarakom - Cochin)
Backwater of Kerala (Duration
: 5 Days)
(Trivandrum - Kovalam - Kollam - Kayamkulam - Alleppey
- Cochin) |
More Tour Packages |
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