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Once a great Hindu stronghold, Goa was a part of the grand Mauryan empire, around 3rd century B.C. The Satvahanas of Kolhapur and later the Chalukyas of Badami, took over the governance. Other dynasties followed, including a short-lived Muslim invasion, until the Vijayanagar Empire established itself for almost a century. This era, too, ended with the arrival of the Sultans of Gulbarga, around 1469 AD, from whom the rule passed on to the Adil Shah of Bijapur. Goa soon became a bone of contention between the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese, all vying for its possession. Ultimately, in 1510, the Portuguese conquered Goa, with Alfonso de Albuquerque leading the invasion. After ruling for four centuries, in 1961, fourteen years after the country's independence, the Portuguese handed over possession of this colony to India. |
More on Goa • History • Geography • Economy • Festivals • Towns • Getting Around • Climate • North Goa Beaches • South Goa Beaches • Wildlife Impressions • An Introduction • Barracuda
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Goa combines old Portuguese architecture, flavour and lifestyle to it's history. Its unending beaches, the pristine beauty of the seascape, its mystical hills and groves, the rhythmic pounding of the sea, its swaying palms - all make it a fairytale land for the traveller. Goa is geographically divided into North and South Goa. North Goa Panaji  Old Goa Beaches: South Goa Wild life sanctuaries: Cuisine: Transport: Best Season: Oct to March is considered the best season. If you can tolerate the soaring temperatures, April and May finds Goa in a quiet, lethargic mood with the sea still calm enough to swim in. More recently, Goa is being promoted as a monsoon destination. How To Get There Air: You can fly to Goa from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram. For overseas travellers, Mumbai has a well - connected airport. Direct international chartered flights to Goa also operate. Dabolim in South Goa, 26 kms from Panaji, is where the international and domestic airport is situated.
Tourist Offices: New Delhi : Goa :
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Editor: Romola Butalia (c) India Travelogue. All rights reserved. |
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The 131 km long coastline of Goa on the golden Konkan coast of the Western Ghats is along the Arabian Sea. This small former Portuguese enclave is one of India's most popular tourist spots, both for the domestic and international traveller. The name Goa is derived from the Konkani word `Goyan', which means a patch of tall grass.
The beaches of Miramar and Dona Paula are famous, as is the stretch from Siquerim,Candolim, Calangute,Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and Arambol. There are a wide variety of places to stay and eat suiting every budget. The action point has shifted from Calangute, the paradise of the sixties to the adjacent Baga beach. With a number of resorts, hotels and shacks, restaurants and eateries having sprung up the dividing line between Calangute and Baga no longer exists. Anjuna Beach is famous for its Wednesday flea market and its ability to attract all kinds of eccentrics and die-hard hippies. Only basic accommodation is available here and at Vagator.