Goa

“Pearl of the East” - Goa is the biggest tourist destination of India. A 130 km long stretched coastline offers a heady blend of serenity and excitement to the travelers from all over the world.

Separating from the rest of India because of its Portuguese culture, history and geography, Goa is a tropical paradise. The two important places in Goa are Panjim city and Margao which house private and government buildings of Portuguese era.

Goa is located on the west coast of India and is loved by all nature lovers with its golden sand beaches and palm fringed beachfronts.

The stamp of Portuguese rule and Catholic Past has imbued towns and villages of Goa.

A retreat for the tourists, the Gothic churches, beaches full of palm trees, coconut grooves, unpolluted environment, the ruins of Portuguese buildings and to top it all, the folk music just make Goa the most wonderful place to be in.

One can always enjoy a salubrious climate in Goa mixing it with appetizing sea food, friendly people, and white churches of Portuguese heritage and architecture.

Gos is one of the favorite destinations for Europeans for spending their vacations.

As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that Parashurama, the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, shot an arrow into the sea in order to retreat water. He formed the Konkan which was also known as Govarashtra and presently known as Goa.

Goa was a popular trading centre around 14th Century during the Vijaynagar Empire. The port was mainly used to trade horses from Middle East. However, Bahmani Sultans took over from them before Portuguese arrival in 1510A.D.

Portuguese established spice trade from Middle East and they had control on Goa for more than 450years. Catholicism was blooming in Goa during that period and mass conversions to Christianity took place in the region. Such was the hold of Portuguese on Goa that ancient temples of Hreligion were destroyed when they were in power in Goa.

Goa is a house to more than 400 churches and some of the famous churches are St. Cajetan church and Bom Jesus basilica of Portuguese era.

However, India got freedom from British in 1947, Goa still was under the Portuguese. Indian army started “Operation Vijay” in 1961 and wrested if from Portuguese in just two days to announce it a Union Territory. Later with the efforts of local people, Konkani became the official language and Goa was finally accorded the status of a state in 1987.

Some of the tourist attractions in goa are Candolim Beach, Fort Aguada featuring an old lighthouse, impressive Chapora Fort Cabo Palace (Raj Bahavan), Mormugao Fort etc.