Tourism in Goa

India's smallest state Goa is located on the western coast of the country. This provides the beautiful beaches for holidays that Goa is internationally famous for. The states of Maharashtra in the north and Karnataka in the south and east surround Goa. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic.

The main places in Goa are Panaji (Panjim) is the state capital located on the banks of the Mandovi River and Vasco, Margao, Mapusa which is famous for kaju market and Ponda are the other major towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. Here is very famus market for 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. The main dish of the people in Doa is Rice and Fish. They celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id.

Goa has very famous beaches which attracts tourists to come again & again to enjoy the beauty of nature. The famous beaches are Calangute, Colva, Dona Paula, Miramar, Anjuna, Palolem, Vagator, Arambol, Agonda. There are very famous churchs like Basillica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of St. Francis of Assissi, St. Cajetan

Church, Nunnery of Santa Monica, St. Augustine Tower, Viceroy's Arc (All at Old Goa), Church of St. Alex Curtorim, Reis Magos Church, The Church of Mae de Deus at Saligao (Bardez), the Church of St. Ana at Talaulim Ilhas, Rachol Seminary, Church of Our Lady of Rosary. You also find famous temples in Goa like Shri Shantadurga (at Kavlem, Kunkoliemkarin and Dhargal), Shri Mangueshi, Shri Bhagavati (Pernem), Rudreshwar Temple at Harvalem, Shri Mahadeo Bhumika at Sal, Bicholim, Morjaee temple at Morjim, Shri Bhagavati Temple at Parshem, Brahma Temple, Shri Chandranath, Shri Damodar, Shri Datta Mandir, Shri Devkikrishna - Ravalnath, Shri Gomanteshwar Devasthan at Brahmapuri, Shri Gopal Ganapati, Shri Kalikadevi, Shri Kamakshi Sausthan at Shiroda, Temple of Shri Mahadeva at Tambdi Surla, Shri Mahalaxmi, Shri Mahalsa, Shri Mallikarjuna, Shri Naguesh, Shri Navdurga Sausthan, Shri Navdurga at Madkai, Shri Ramnath, Shri Saptakoteshwar, Sapteshwar - Bhagvati Temple at Mandrem, Shri Vithal Mandir, Shri Sharvani, Shri Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevotam Math, Shri Saunsthan Goudpadachrya Kavle Math.

Tourist places in Goa

Vasco-da-Gama

Vasco is 30 kms. from Panaji. A modern, well laid out city close to Mormugs Harbour, has beautiful and extensive avenues. The air terminus of Goa at Dabolim lies on the outskirts of the city. It is also a main railway station in Goa.

Ponda

Ponda can be called as the Hindu heart of Goa. It is famous for the five important temples that are situated around the town, and also has the largest mosque in Goa. Most of these temples have been restored after being destroyed by the Portuguese. That explains why there are no temples around the coast, which was the prime territory of the Portuguese. It is also an important link for transport.

Pilar

Distance of pilar is 11 kms. from Panaji. It has important for religious and educational centre of Christian Missionaries. From here you can see a fine view of Mormugao Harbour & Zuari river.

Margao

Margao which is a capital of south Goa is 33 Kms. from Panaji. Goa Travel Guidelinked by rail to the rest of India & Mormugao Harbour and by national highways, with Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Mapusa

Mapusa which is a main market for Cashew is 13 Kms. from Panaji. The capital of Bardez Taluka, on the national highway, is the cross roads of the network of highways covering whole of Northern Goa.

Panaji

The capital of Goa and headquarters of North Goa District, a small a charming city on the left bank of silvery Mandovi River. Enchantit panorama unfolds from atop Altinho (Hill Top).