Climate : Average

Bordering the sea, Goa has equitable climate. However, the pleasant period to visit Goa is from mid-November to mid-April when day temperatures are around 30 degrees Centigrade. From mid-April onwards, the humidity increases to saturation till it condenses and precipitates as rain in June, which continues till end of August or a little beyond. If you enjoy rain and the attendant greenery, monsoon is an ideal time to come to Goa. There is that added bonus of discounts on room tariffs, etc. Besides, the air is free of dust and other impurities having been cleaned by the rain showers.

Goa has a well-maintained airport at Dabolim, Mormugao and is well connected by air to other parts of India through scheduled domestic flights. International charter flights operate during season bringing in tourists mainly from Europe. Goa is also connected to other principal cities of India by rail. Margao, Vasco-da-Gama, Tivim and Karmali are the rail stations from where one can travel to various places in India. Buses ply to and from all major neighbouring cities on a daily basis taking approximately 12 hours to reach Mumbai (distance 594 km) or Bangalore (distance 632 km). One has a choice of luxury, air-conditioned and sleeper coaches to travel to these places. New Delhi, the national capital, is roughly 1,904 km away.

 

Moving Around

There is an efficient network of bus routes connecting villages and towns. However, if you are in a hurry you may take a two-wheeler, three-wheeler or a four-wheeler taxi depending on your budget and the number of people together. Car rental companies provide you a vehicle with or without a driver. Rent depends on the type of vehicle and model.

 

A Brief History

Goa was part of various dynasties that ruled in India, namely Andrabhrihityas, Kadambas, Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas of Mulkhed, Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, Hoyasalas of Darasamudra, Yadavas of Devagiri and Vijayanagar Kings. From 2nd century AD the Bhojas took over and with Chandrapur as their headquarters continued ruling for three centuries. During this period, the Mauryas and the Kadambas had strengthened their position. The struggle between the various dynasties gave the Kadambas an advantage. The Kadamba leader Shastadeva captured the capital Chandrapur in 979 AD. The Kadambas though feudatories to the Chalukyas then, succeeded in continuing their rule for the next 300 years. They were tolerant rulers. Trade flourished during their period. Chandrapur grew into a large and beautiful city. The Kadambas used this money to build exquisite stone temples. In Goa, covered by forest, only one Kadamba period temple Mahadevan Mandir survives in Tambdi Surla, Sanguem Taluka.

A series of Muslim invasions in the 14th century shattered the peace that prevailed. In 1352 Goa came under the Bahmani rule. After having ruled for a quarter century, the Bahmanis yielded power to the Vijayanagar empire. In 1472, Goa again came under the Bahmanis who made Ela (Old Goa) their capital. Subsequently, the Bahmani kingdom split into four parts. One of these four kingdoms, i.e., Bijapur with its ruler

Yousuf Adil Shah, inherited Goa. The Portuguese entered Goa in 1510 defeating the forces of the sultan. Slowly, expanding and consolidating their hold, they continued ruling Goa for the next 450 years till they were ousted by the Indian forces in December 1961. The influence the Portuguese left in Goa can be seen everywhere: be it food, architecture, music, etc.

 

Konkani is the principal language of Goa but almost everybody speaks or understands English. One can also hear other languages being spoken, such as Marathi, Hindi and Portuguese.

 

Goa has a mix of Hindu and Christian cultures. Christians have absorbed many Western ways such as dressing, weddings, etc while Hindus has typical Indian culture. There is also a small Muslim community. People of Goa are easy-going, warm, friendly, hospitable and very tolerant of other cultures.

 

Goans are music-loving people, many of whom are trained in Indian and Western classical music. The music belonging to the Christian community has its origin in the West. Bhajans (religious rhymes), Kirtans (religious anecdotes), Fugdi (folk dance), Dekhnni (beauty dance) and Dhalo (folk dance) are associated with the Hindu community while Mandos (love songs) and Corredinhos (Portuguese folk dance) are part of the Christian culture.

 

A number of discos and multi-cuisine restaurants operate round the year and many of these restaurants have live music and dine & dance facility.

 

Goan Food

Spices are an essential part of Goan food but the quantity can be altered for individual taste. Though fish curry and rice as a dish is an indispensable part of Goan diet, there are some other Goan dishes such as Chicken xacuti, Sorpotel, Pork vindaloo, Prawn curry, Drumstick curry, Salt fish pickle, Dry Bombay Duck pickle, Rechad Pomfret/Mackerel, Prawn Chilly Fry, Smoked Mackerel, Prawn Balchao, Chicken Cafreal, Vegetable Pulao, Pork sausages, etc which are equally popular. Needless to say, some of these dishes have a heavy Portuguese influence. For a tourist there is an ample choice of international cuisine, such as Chinese, Thai, Tibetan, German, Russian, Portuguese, Mexican, Lebanese, Italian, etc. Most of these restaurants take great care to serve authentic food and for this they fly in specially-trained cooks from the cuisine-origin country.

 

There are various Goan sweets, some of which have their origin in Portugal. To name a few: Bebinca (based on wheat flour and sugar), Cocad (coconut-based), Doce (gram sweet), Dodol (based on coconut milk), Soji (wheat & jaggery), Payas (Basmati rice, milk, almonds & caju), Fov (beaten rice, milk & sugar), etc.

 

 

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of St Francis of Assisi , Chapel of Catherine, etc: These churches are in Old Goa which is approximately 10km from Panaji. Take the National Highway-4 passing through Ribandar along the Mandovi bank to reach there.

Church of Reis Magos, Reis Magos, Bardez, Built in 1551 by the Franciscans, it was declared a National Monument by the Portuguese in 1932. Feast celebrated on 6^th of January. Approximately 7km from Panjim.

Church of Our Lady, Mother of God, Saligao, Bardez. The statue of the Mother of God was brought from the extinct Convent of Mother of God
from Daugim, Old Goa.

Church of St Ana, Talaulim, Tiswad. Built in 1695. Approx 11km from Panjim. Its unique feature is that it has hollow walls through which people could walk in secrecy for confession

 

 

 

Temples of Goa

Many of Goa's ancient temples are located in the Ponda taluka. One can go on the temple trail by taking the National Highway 4A from Panaji. This is best done with one's own vehicle or a hired one as this allows time to explore each temple individually at one's own pace. There are also conducted tours.

Shri Bhagvati Temple, Pernem town, approx 28km from Panaji. The temple is said to be 500 years old. Two life-size images of elephants made of black stones stand on either side to welcome devotees.

Shri Mahalsa Temple, Mardol, Ponda, is dedicated to Mohini, the female form of Vishnu. The deity was brought from Verna in Salcette taluka. The exceptional feature of this temple is the 21-tiered deepmal, placed atop Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Taking NH4 to go there, one has to turn right at the Gandhi roundabout at Old Goa, passing through Banastarim and Boma.

Shri Mangeshi Temple, Priol, Ponda, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The deity was brought from Cortalim in Salcette. The temple has seven-storeyed deepmal. To reach there one has to take NH4 going to Ponda.

Laxmi Narasimha Temple, Velinga, Ponda, is dedicated to Laxmi Narahimsa. This deity was brought from Sancoale, Mormugao taluka in 1567. Take NH4 and go to the opposite side of the Priol turn-off.

Shantadurga Temple, Kavlem, is dedicated to Parvati. It is said Shahu, the grandson of Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji, built this temple in1738.

Ramnath, Kavlem, is close to the Shantadurga Temple. The lingam was brought from Loutolim in Salcette. Besides, a number of other deities are worshipped here

 

 

Aguada Fort, in Sinquerim, Candolim, covers a vast area. Built on the cliffs and overlooking the entrance to the Mandovi river and its outlying areas, it was equipped with 79 cannons. There are two lighthouses in the vicinity, one old and decommissioned and the other currently in use. Tourists are allowed to see them

Terekhol Fort. Situated on the northern bank of River Terekhol, the fort was constructed by a local king. It was captured by the Portuguese in 1746.

Reis Magos. Guarding the entrance to River Mandovi, it is next to the Reis Magos Church built in 1555

 

If you are inclined towards delving into the history of a place, Goa has a number of museums, namely Goa State Museum, Archaeological Museum in Panjim, Museum of Christian Art, Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery, Sound and Light Gallery, in Old Goa; Ancestral Goa/Big Foot, Loutulim; Pilar Seminary Museum, Pilar and Naval Aviation Museum, Vasco

 

Famous Beaches

Goa has a coastline of 131 kilometres with more than 22 beaches. The beaches in North Goa are more developed with a number of resorts and restaurants but the South Goa beaches make up for this with their unspoilt, natural beauty. Pernem taluka has four beaches, namely Keri, Goa's northernmost beach, Arambol with its sweet-water lake and unique pathways, Mandrem and Morjim where Olive Ridley turtles come up to the shore to lay eggs.

It is Bardez taluka that leads in tourism with its 11km beach stretch consisting of Calangute, Candolim, Baga, Vagator and Anjuna beaches.

Tiswadi taluka has Miramar, Vainguinim, Bambolim and Siridao. Mormugao taluka with its deep-water port and airport has Bogmalo, Velsao, Cansaulim and Arossim. The Salcette taluka beaches are part of an unbroken stretch of 25km. They are Majorda, Utorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Fatrade, Cavelossim and Mobor. The Quepem taluka has just two beaches, Betul and Canaguinim. Southernmost taluka of Canacona has a number of lovely beaches such as Agonda, Palolem, Colomb, Pattnem, Rajbag, Talpona, Galgibaga and Polem