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Goa, famous for beach holiday, is one of States of Indian Union located on the western coast and bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west, Maharashtra on the north, Karnataka on the east and south. The diverse culture of Goa is reflected in its architectural splendors of temples, church and old houses. Besides its natural beauty with diverse seasons Goa became the centre of collision of two distinct cultures of East and West that make Goa entirely different from the rest of India. Tourists are coming here especially for water adventurous holidays.
Tourists from all over the world travel to Goa that offers many tourist destinations with best hotels and beach resorts like Taj Holiday Village and Majorda Beach Resort. Goa travel gives an opportunity to the tourists for beach holidays and nature holidays.
Holidays in Goa beaches
Beach undisputed capital of India, the Goa coast is liberally sprinkled with sand and surf: From popular tourist spots where you often see more skin than sand, to untouched havens that are worth taking that extra work to discover. Starting from Calangute in North Goa, clustered around Panaji, the capital of Goa, and further down, Margao in South Goa, are the most popular beaches in the tourist circuit. These are thickly surrounded by the usual agencies of tourism - hotels and facilities offering modern day luxuries, restaurants, shops, resorts, entertainment centers, spas, resorts, the works. Outside this ring and moves from Calangute North or South of Margao the Goa's beaches has become more refreshing waters and deserted. No, it's only the sea, surf washed sand, sparkling or alternatively, to the leafy shade of palm trees, and you!
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Churches in Goa-Holidays
Another potential contribution of standard Portuguese holiday in Goa is the appearance of splendid churches, especially in Old Goa. Originally spread with passionate fervor by the former rulers, Goa, Rome of the East, sees the dominant influence of Christianity, both in religious and cultural spheres. Visible expressions of this are the churches of Old Goa. Historically, these can be classified into the following periods, reflecting changing architectural styles and iconography.
First time period is characterized by the oldest church in Goa survivors, Our Lady of Rosary on Monte Santo in the style "the name of King Manuel of Portual Manuelin. This is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance motifs Portuguese seamanship. The construction being unsuited to Goa's weather, very few of these can be seen by tourists today. Baroque: "time Golden Goa 'hectic missionary activity as the arrival of St. Francis Xavier, saw many large churches in the contemporary European style built. These include the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Augustine Church of Our Lady of Grace . |
Indian Baroque Period: Reflecting local Goan influences in style and design, including the outer façade and inclusion of tropical motifs such as flowers and fruits. These include the Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Holy Spirit Church, Margao.
Rococo Period is characterized by the smaller size of construction, but with the finish excuisite adorned with local motifs, is also known for the use of stucco on the exterior facade. St Stephen, San Estey near Panaji is a notable example.
Hindu Temples of Goa
Hindu temple architecture of Goa is another tourist attraction of a holiday in Goa, characterized by the influence of local style over the rigid architectural structure. Maratha influence on Goa's religious architecture lies in the Deepmal or Lamptower that is two to six stories high, decorated with oil lamps on festive occasions. Mughal influence seems to be expressed in the dome that covers the central shrine in place of traditional shikhara, as well as the Naubat Khana - a small tower at the entrance to the courtyard. Portuguese Christian influence is visible in the curved roof of the mandapas.
Not many of the temples before Goa survived the Moghul and later the Portuguese invasions (exceptions are the "Pandava Caves" dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Aravelam and the Shiva temple in Tambdi), which was razed temples and churches erected in their place. As a result most surviving temples that the tourist in Goa comes across are comparatively modern. The Mahalaxmi Temple in Panaji was the first temple allowed by the Portuguese, after much deliberation, in 1818.
Cuisine de Goa
Food is another attraction for tourists in Goa. Touring in Goa is a wonderful way to meet Goa's inimitable cooking is as much a mixture of different cultural invasions as art, music, culture and literature. The staple for Hindus and Christians alike is rice and fish curry. And while the tourist taste buds succumb to the temptations of Amboto Tik (Prawns / fish in a sour hot gravy), Sorpotel (pork fire damp) and Xacuti (spicy meat dish), washed down with Feni (a pungent brew made from cashew nuts) may be too much for the uninitiated palate to handle. Deserts in Goa Dodol come in the form of sinfully delicious (made from coconut and brown sugar Goa) and Bebinca (a baked dish with coconut juice and egg yolk)
In truth, this amazing pot-pourri of beach, nature, food and drink, culture and kitsch, religious fervor and profane and fun galore that represents tourism in Goa would be hard to find elsewhere in the world.
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