The beach front paradise of Goa is located on the Western coast of India. Goa is the smallest state India and the coastal state has a natural border in the form of the Arabian Sea. Goa has long 105 km coastline that is made up of many simmering sand beaches and quaint villages which are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The state is often referred to as India’s  Sunshine state as the Goan people who live here are generally  happy laid back folk  who believe in enjoying life while following a philosophy of ‘Sosegad’ . The word ‘Sosegad’ is derived from the Portuguese word ‘Socegado’ meaning tranquility. It is fitting that the Goans should follow this policy as Goa was a Portuguese colony for nearly four centuries.

Goa became a haunt of the hippies and the flower children in the 1960’s as they reveled in the tranquil atmosphere of this congenial state where the sun always shone and the beach sands glistened in the cool sea breeze. These hippies with their liberal care-free lives and their ideals of free love often scandalized the locals but over time they got accustomed to them so much so that some old hippies in fact settled down  in Goa.  They can now sometimes be seen at Goa’s famed Anjuna flea market which is held every Wednesday at the beach town of Anjuna. The flea market   is a major tourist attraction as it attracts traders from all over India who congregate at the flea market to sell their wares which include mirror work embellished apparel, brass ware, glassware, silver jewelry and much more.

A prime global tourist destination

Over the years, Goa has become an important destination on the tourist radar map and it receives plane loads of international tourists every year who  use charter flights to transport them directly from their home countries to this gorgeous beach paradise. Approximately 40 such charter flights land in Goa every week from various European countries during the peak tourist season in Goa that lasts from October to April.

To cater to these tourists several  high end and budget resorts have sprung up on Goa’s many gorgeous white sand beaches that are located all over the state. Parties to herald in the New Year are usually held at all these resorts and the many famous night clubs of Goa like the famed Tito’s at Baga Beach and the relatively new club Shiro Poison that is located at Candolim Beach. All night parties are also held at the many beach shacks that are located on Goa’s many beaches as the revelers enjoy partying all night in order to welcome the first rays of the new year sun at the beach itself.

North and South Goa

Goa is divided into two distinct sections of North and South Goa by the Mandovi River . Though both these sections of Goa are blessed with gorgeous beaches the beaches of North Goa seem to be more commercial than those in South Goa as they are populated by beach shacks, restaurants, night clubs and road side stalls that sell all kinds of  beach apparel, artifacts, jewelry, leather goods and many other products that the tourists tend to buy.

The beaches of North Goa extend from the north bank of the Mandovi River and include beaches like Calangute(called the Queen of Beaches),Bogmalo, Candolim, Baga, Mandrem , Arambol, Vagator and Morjim. Morjim Beach is a rather stark and isolated beach which is the nesting ground for the famous but endangered Olive Ridley turtles.  The beaches of North Goa see brisk tourist traffic in the peak season as tourists who want ‘action’ tend to gravitate towards these beaches which also have facilities for many water sports.

Those seeking a peaceful serene holiday often head to  relatively isolated and virgin beaches in South Goa like Benaulim, Palolem, Agonda, Mobor and Cavelossim all of which offer you a an opportunity to kick back and recharge your batteries.

Historic Goa

However apart from the many beach side attractions tourists also enjoy discovering the remnants of Portuguese culture and civilization in Goa. This is widely witnessed in cities like Panaji which is the capital of Goa, Old Goa called Vella Goa and the city of Margao which is the capital of Salcette district in South Goa. All these towns have a distinct Portuguese flavor and sport a quaint old world charm with their many baroque churches, cobbled streets and pretty Portuguese villas many of which have been converted into home stays.

Old Goa is a UNESCO declared world heritage site that served as the capital of the Portuguese colony until it was shifted to Panaji in 1843.  Located here are several opulent churches and cathedrals as well as the ruins of a gateway though the most famous monument of Old Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus This church holds the remains of St Francis Xavier, the Spanish missionary who is credited with the spread of Christianity in the Far East. In early December every year the feast of St Francis is celebrated in Goa and  the church during which the fingernail of the Saint is displayed to the public while the exposition of the body which lies embalmed in a silver casket takes place once in ten years.

Old Goa also has the imposing Gothic structure of the Se Cathedral which houses the largest church bell in Asia and another church called the Church of St Francis of Assisi which is beautifully adorned with much woodwork and many multicolored murals. The Church of St Monica and the Church of St Catejan are some of the other churches that are also located in Old Goa which are also worth visiting on any visit to the sunshine state.

Goan Cuisine

Another attraction for many visitors to Goa is the indigenous and delicious Goan cuisine which features much coconut, fresh seafood and rather unusual local spices. Visitors love to tuck into Goan dishes like Prawn curry and rice, pork vindaloo, pork sorpotel which are served at the many well known  Goan restaurants like Brittos on Baga Beach, Bob’s Inn, St Anthony’s which can be found all over the sunshine state.

So next time you are in the mood for a beach vacation why not give the sunshine state of Goa a try? You can get to Goa either by flying there directly on a charter flight or you could fly into any major Indian city from where you can connect to Goa by any one of the many rail bus or auto links.As for hotels in Goa depending on your preference you could try the  charming Coconut Grove Goa located in South Goa or even the Dona Alcina located near the pretty Candolim beach in North Goa for your relaxing stay in the sunshine state - Goa.

Posted in India, Things to do

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