This tiny state, along with the konkan coast, covers 3,702 sq km(1,429 sq miles) and consists of just districts, North and South Goa. Goa’s district culture is a legacy of its colonial past. In 1510, Alfonso de Albuquerque established a small but powerful Portuguese enclave here. Through Goa became a part of the Indian Union in 1961, evidence of the 400-odd years of Portuguese rule is still apparent in the people’s dress, language, religion and cuisine, and in their music, a fusion of the plaintive fado with the lilting rhythms of local Konkani folk songs.

Today, Goa is one of India’s most popular holiday destinations, with its idyllic beaches, lush paddy fields, coconut plantations and villages doted with pretty whitewashed churches and grand mansions. Its other attractions include the Hindu temples around Ponda, built between the 15th and 18th centuries, and the magnificent cathedrals of old Goa. Goa’s friendly, easy-going people go out of their way to make visitors feel at home.

Beaches and Beach Towns: Anjuna,Arambol,Calangute,cavelossim,Colva,Palolem,vagator.

Historic Sites: A walk through old Goa, Terekhol Fort,Braganza House.

Goa’s capital , Panaji, situated at the mouth of Mandovir river, is reminiscent of a provincial Mediterranean town. Earlier a port of the Adil Shahi Kings of Bijapur, it became a military landing stage and warehouse after the arrival of the Portuguese in 1510. In 1759, after a series of epidemics in old Goa, the viceroy was forced to move his residence to Panaji. However it was only in 1843 that the town became the official capital of Portuguese territories in India. Today, Panaji has a relaxed and friendly ambience, especially along the leafy avenues of the old town. The newer commercial hub, laid out on a grid, has concrete structures interspersed with colonial buildings and churches.

Places of interests in panaji:

1.Secretariat:One of the oldest buildings of Panaji, was once a summer palace of Yusuf Adil Shah, again rebuilt in 1615, its strategic location made it a point of entry for ships and a stopover for viceroys and governors en route to old Goa.

2. Church of Lady of the Immaculate Conception: Overlooking Largo da Igreja or “church square”, Panaji’s main square, is the church of Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the towns most remarkable and important landmark.

3. Menezes Braganza institute: An excellent example of 19th century Portuguese civic architecture, the institute Vasco da Gama was built ti impart knowledge in the arts and sciences. It was later renamed after the Philanthropist Luis de Menezes Braganza, whose family is now in Chandor. Today, this is Goa’s Central Library, with a good collection of rare books. The superb mural in blue painted ceramic tiles was added to entrance lobby in 1935, and depicts scenes from the epic Os Lusiadas. The institute used to have an art gallery with works by late 19th and early 20th century European artists. These exhibits are now housed in the state Museum.

4. State Museum: This Museum houses a rather modest collection of pre-colonial artifacts, including statues, sati stones, antique furniture and carvings from ravaged Hindu temples, as well as some Christian icons.

5. Environs: Panaji’s nearest beach, Miramar, is 3 km west. Dona paula, 7kmsouthewest of panaji is near the headland dividing the estuaries of the Zuari and Mandovi rivers.

6. Goan River Cruises: A delightful way to spend an evening in Goa is a to take one of the many sunset cruises along the Mandovi river, organized by the goa Tourism Development corporation and also by private operators. Most of the cruises begin from the jetty at the foot of Mandovi bridge, every day between 6 and 7 pm. Entertainment is provided by troupes of goan dancers and musicians. On full moon nights, an excellent dinner is also provided on board. Some operators, such as Sea Adventure, organize specialized tours through the backwaters, a vibrant mangrove habitat and home to marsh crocodiles and migratory birds. Focussing on culture and food, spice villages, takes visitors to the sylvan settings of spice plantations, which attract flocks of beautiful birds
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7. Fundacao de Oriente: Originally a family home, it now houses a Portuguese foundation that promotes artistic, cultural and scientific work. Its library is open to the Public.

8.St Sebastian’s Chapel: The chapel, built in 1888, has a life size crucifix that used to hang in the palace of the inquisition in old Goa.

9. Rua de Natale: This road snakes up Altinho Hill and has steps laid out to help pedestrians negotiate the gentle climb.

10. Ourem Creek: The picturesque Rua de Ourem faces ourem creek. Behind it, colorful houses dot the slopes all the way up Altinho Hill.

Beaches and Beach Life

Goa’s splendid beaches stretch over 106km, from Querim in the north to Mobor in the South. Each beach has its distinct character, through in general, south Goa’s beaches are far less developed than those in North Goa, and have only recently become popular as tourist destinations. To cater to the growing number of visitors, many beaches now have shacks serving beer , snacks and sea food, lively flea markets, and vendors offering a variety of services from head massages to dolphin-watching trips.

Festivals of Goa:

Jatra: (January): Quepem, A colorful festival(jatra) honoring local temple deities is celebrated at the shantadurga Temple. Other such festivals take place trhough the year at various temples in Ponda.

Carnival: (feb) :Panaji, Goa’s grandest festival marks the beginning of Lent. “King Momo”, who personifies fun and frolic, orders his subjects to forget their troubles, and leads a colorful parade through the streets. Three days and nights of non-stop revelry follow.

Shigmotsav: (march): this joyous Hindu Spring festival is celebrated across the state. Festivities continue for five days and include colorful street floats, local folk theatre, sword dances and the lively spraying of coloured powder.

All Saint Procession:( april) Goa Velha, pilar. Large crowds of devotees carry statues of 26 saints in procession from St Andrew’s Church, in this small village near Pilar.

Feast of St Francis Xavier: (3 dec) Old Goa. The feast of Goa’s Patron saint is held on the anniversary of his death. Attended by Catholic Pilgrims from all over the world, the feast is preceeded by novenas.

A walk through old Goa:
A magnificent complex of cathedrals, churches and monasteries, spread along a 1.5km stretch, marks the site of old Goa, the portugues capital until the mid-18th century. The walk through this area, now a UNESCO world Heritage site, takes in two of goa’s most important religious monuments, the Basilica de Bom Jesus and the grand se Cathedral, and ends on Holy Hill, where some of Goa’s oldest Churches are located. Most of these buildings, designed by Italian or Portuguese architects, encompass a range of European styles, from sober Renaissance to Exuberant Baroque and Portuguese Manueling.

Stretch of views:

1.Viceroy’s Arch: over 1,000 ships a year brought new arrivals to Goa in the 17th century. They passed under this laterite archway, built by Francisco da Gama.

2.Gateway of Adil Shah’s Palace: The gate, comprising a lintel and basalt pillars, is all that survives of Adil Shah’s Palace, also used as the viceroy’s residence.

3.Church of St Cajetan: Built by Italian friars in 1651, this church is renowned for the exuberant woodcarvings on its high altar and pulpit.

4.Se Cathedral: This is through to be Asia’s largest church. The gilded high altar has six splendid panels depicting the life of St Catherine of Alexandria.

5.Church of St Francis of Assisi: Built by the Franciscan friars in 1521, this is one of old Goa’s most important churches. Its carved and gilded main altar depicts the rucifield Jesus, four Evangelists, St. Francis, and our Lady with the baby Jesus.

Archaeological Museum: A bronze statue of the poet Luis Vaz de Camoes, holding his epic Os Lusiadas , stands in the museum, now housed in the converted convent of St Francis of Assisi, adjoining the Chruch.