About Goa
The land of sunshine, beaches, and a laidback attitude and nightlife are just the place one needs for a few days of unwinding. Ask anyone, what they’d pick as the perfect destination for a vacation in India and you’ll have a unanimous vote - Goa! From safaris, to wildlife sanctuaries to waterfalls, towering churches, night clubs to pristine beaches to historical forts, Goa holds so many secrets within itself that is just waiting to be unraveled.
Goa is mostly known for its myriad beaches. But look under the microscope and you will see the beautiful flora and fauna, lip-smacking Goan cuisine and some of the most historical churches in the country.
Goa History
When India obtained Independence in 1947, Goa was still under the Portuguese control. It was in 1961 that the Portuguese finally realized that it was time to let Goa go. Even then, Goa was made a Union Territory along with Daman and Diu. After hearing about the fabulous weather and beaches, tourists arrived in droves, to the fondly called, “Pearl of the Arabian Sea,” at in the year 1987, Goa was granted statehood. The capital city of Goa is Panaji, also known as Panjim.
The culture in Goa is a unique fusion of Indian and Portuguese, with both Christians and Hindus populating the state. Hindi, English, Konkani, Marathi, and Portuguese languages perfectly co-exist in harmony in the state that spans only 3702 sq.kms. Nestled in the Sahyadri Mountains in the Western Ghats, Goa often is an oasis of beauty, calm, and peace. The state is bound by Maharashtra on the North, Karnataka on the East and the South and Goa looks over the vast Arabian Sea in the West.
Defining Goa
With a 131km long coastline, there are strands of ceaseless golden beaches with each having its own personality. The state is divided into essentially two main parts, North Goa and South Goa and surprisingly, both are culturally diverse. North Goa is the perfect destination for your average partygoer, upbeat and vibrant nightlight, busy and bustling beaches, unique markets and a fast paced life is what defines the North of Goa. It’s a haven for those who love to dance and spend an entire evening or night just having fun and letting loose. For more low-key, laidback and a leisurely pace of life, South Goa is the perfect destination. From exotic beaches, to rich architecture and amazing food, travellers from all over the globe who seek solitude visit the South of Goa.
Perfectly and seamlessly tailored to fit into one state, two different versions of Goa quaintly and quietly exist!
Goa is blessed with the absolutely perfect weather for most part of the year. July usually sees a lot of rainfall but if you are one of those people who like the beach and the rain, then this might just be the time to explore Goa. The remainder of the year is hot and humid, making it the perfect ambiance for a dip in the water.
Goa is easy to get to by road, air, and rail. Public transportation is available and for more remote locations, taxis and rickshaws are just as easily obtainable.
No one has ever returned from Goa disappointed and without a story to tell. The simple elements starting from the relaxed life, to the food, people, villas, beaches, the architecture, the sleepy towns, the dreamy sunsets, the lively nightlife, and the bustling markets all leave an everlasting impression on your mind.
There is something about this state that is like a magnet and pulls you back every year!
