Holidays In Goa

Area :	3,702 km Sq.. (approx.)
Capital :	Panji
Languages spoken in Kerala :	Konkani, Marathi, Portugues, English
Population :	1,340,000 (As on 2001)
Boundaries :	East and South - Karnataka, West - Arebian Sea, North - Maharastra, and Terkhol River ;
Airport :	Dabolim

Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa. Goa has a long history dating back to the 3rd Century B.C. Over the centuries lot of dynasties have ruled Goa, 451 years of Portuguese rule has imbued Goas towns and villages with a unique culture. It became a State in 1987. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline.

Goas coastline provides endless sun drenched crescents of sand. It has a range of mountains and is dotted by various rivers. The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores and medicinal springs. Whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape are surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers

Languages: Along with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the state languages. The national language Hindi is also well understood in most areas around the state.

Food: The sea and rivers abound in seafood - prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and the visitors The staple food in Goa is fish and rice, both among the hindus and catholics.

Goa Festivals

Goa has scores of festivals celebrated all around the year. All these festivals do not occur on fixed dates of the calendar year, since they are based on the Hindu calendar.

Despite the long period of Portuguese colonisation, the Hindu festivals have retained their unique Goan character and are celebrated with deep fervour. In Hindu mythology, Goa is called the land of the Gods and with good reasons. There are hundreds of Gods and Goddesses with differing names, tastes, rituals and traditions. Most of these have remained unchanged over the centuries while others have adapted to the changing times and circumstances.

Quite a lot of the Goan festivals are actually Feasts of the local or family deity celebrated at the temple of the God or Goddess called Devasthan.

Getting there :

By Air : Goa is well connected by airline services to most major cities in India. All flights to and from Goa operate from the Goa Airport at Dabolim near the port town of Vasco-da-Gama.

By Rail : Vasco-da-Gama and Margoa are connected by train with Bangalore, Belgaum, Hospet, Hubli and Hyderabad and via Miraj to Bombay, Delhi and Agra

By Road : Kadamba Transport Corporation. MSRTC and KSRTC operate frequent bus services between Panaji, Vasco da Gama and Margao

By Sea : Ship services between Bombay and Goa organised by Damania.

Climate : Goa has visitors all the year round. The weather gets fairly hot around May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during the monsoon that Goa is probably at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around.

Best time to visit : October to March

Airports Nearby : Goa International Airport, Dabolim