Goa

Goa

GOA

AREA : 3,702 SQ KM
POPULATION: 1,343,998
CAPITAL : PANAJI
PRINCIPAL LANGUAGES : KONKANI AND MARATHI

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

Goa was known in various name in the part era – Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Gomantak, etc., abounds in a rich historical heritage. Early history of Goa is obscure. In the first century of the Christian era, Goa was a part of the Satavahana Empire, followed by the Kadamba, the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed, the Chalukyas and the Silharas. The empire of the Yadavas by the end of the 14th century was displaced by the Khiljis of Delhi and thus Muslim rule came to Goa.

After the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco-da-Gama in 1498, many Portuguese expeditions came to India. In 1510, Alfonso de Albuquerque with the help of the emperor of Vijayanagar attacked and captured Goa. With the arrival of the Jesuit priest Francis Xavier in 1542, proselytisation began in Goa.

However, the Portuguese continued to rule over the territory except for an interlude during the latter half of the 17th century when Shivaji conquered a few areas in and around Goa. Even after India’s independence, Goa continued to be in the hands of the Portuguese. However, they could not fulfill the aspirations of the Goan people and ultimately on 19 December 1961, Goa was liberated and made a composite union territory with Daman and Diu. On 30 May 1987, Goa was conferred statehood and Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory.

Variously known as “Pearl of the Orient” and a “Tourist Paradise”, the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world.

PLACES TO SEE

Panaji: Panaji is the official capital of Goa. It was called Panjim during the times of the Portuguese and was one of the three principal Portuguese cities along with Velha Goa (Old Goa) and Margao. Though it began as a suburb of Velha Goa it ended up becoming the capital of Goa in 1843 when the Portuguese Old Goa. It is also one of India’s smallest and most charming state capitals.

Vasco-da-Gama: The town of Vasco-da-Gama was originally called Sambhaji. This spick and span and geometrically planned well laid out coastal town popularly known as Vasco is also the oldest railway terminus for passenger service.

Margoa :Margao is Goa’s second largest city and commercial metropolis of Salcete taluka in South Goa. It still retains semblance of Goa’s Portuguese colonial past, and is connected to the rest of the Indian sub-continent by rail. Margao is the headquarters of South Goa District and is considered the main commercial city of Goa. It is famous for its ancient cultural heritage and traditional customs of the people of Goa.

Mapusa: Mapusa’s main claim to fame is its famous Friday market where people from all over Goa come to buy and sell their wares. It is otherwise a small town forming the hub of north Goa.

Velha Goa: Velha Goa or Old Goa rose as the second capital of the Bijapur Kingdom though all that remains of that era today are pieces of the Gateway, part of the wall that surrounded the Sultan’s palace. The Portuguese colonization of Goa with Alfonso de Albuquerque’s victory over the Sultan’s forces also began here. It then served as the Portuguese capital of Goa until 1843 and from the mid 16th century onwards, the Christian Doctrine began to be spread from here by St. Francis Xavier.

Beaches:Goa’s best-known feature is its lovely languorous golden beaches that stretch across the 60 miles (100 kms) long coastline. While, some of them are well prepared for tourists and appointed with every facility, be it hotels and resorts, beach shacks and small restaurants serving delicious but affordable food, or beach bazaars with colorful balloons, the others are sandy and isolated retreats perfect for unwinding and relaxing. The various beaches in Goa are its must visit places.

Churches: The churches in the beach capital of India attract pilgrims from far and away. Amongst the most popular churches of Goa are Se Cathedral, Convent & Church of St. Francis of Assisi and Church & Convent of St. Monica.

Ponda: The town of Ponda can easily be considered the heart of Hinduism in Goa. For when the Hindus abandoned their coastal settlements and moved inland during the Inquisition, a majority of them settled in Ponda. Ponda is now a transportation hub and some of the best temples in Goa are located here.