Other and exotic places to visit in Goa are the serene, secluded and pristine beaches and to name some of them, you have the Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Candolim Beach, Colva Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Majorda Beach, Miramar Beach, Morjim Beach and Vagator Beach and more.
Some other attractions that comes under Goa sightseeing along with your Goa Holiday Packages are Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. To blend your holiday in Goa with a soothing retreat, the ideal Ayurvedic & Spa resorts along with private beaches makes a good deal while picking the best hotels in Goa. Beach activities in Goa like Banana Ride, Dolphin Trip, Elephant Ride & Splash, Go Karting, Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Water Scooter and Windsurfing are also some thrilling attractions in Goa for tourists.
Goa is a verdant natural paradise bounded on the one side by the foothills of the Sahyadri range and on the other by the Arabian Sea.
Goa, a tiny green land surrounded by azure waters on the West Coast of India, with its natural picturesque beauty, attractive beaches and famous architectural temples, grand parties and festivals and its rich Anglo-Indian heritage is a great attraction for all tourists.The most important places of interests are the beaches of Goa which are filled with millions of tourists every year as visitors all over the world flock to this natural paradise to bathe in the pleasant sun and crystal clear azure-green waters of the sea.
To gorge on the lip-smacking and mouth-watering Konkan and Goanese cuisine like chicken rechado and xacuti and to rock and rave in the night parties by the fire-lit sea beaches.The vast collection of diverse rocky and sand,golden or silver sand beaches spellbinds the tourists with their awe-inspiring scenic beauty.
Places to See in Goa
Arvalem Caves
Apart from the admirable beaches and waterfalls, Goa is also one of the most sought after destinations for heritage architectures. Goa is an ancient state and so is the architecture found here. A beautiful example of the historical monuments present in Goa is the Arvalem Caves or the "Pandava Caves". Located in the Bicholim town of North Goa, these caves are ancient rock cut caves that give us a chance to steep into the mythological tales. The origin of these caves dates back to the 6th century.
Arvalem Waterfalls
A thunderous spurt of water beautifully cascading down a rocky terrain of a mountain! This is the picture of the splendrous Arvalem Waterfalls in Goa. Popularly known as the Harvalem Waterfalls, it is located at Arvalem, around 9 km from Bicholim, North Goa. With water falling headlong from a height of 70 meters, it makes up for an absolutely breathtaking view
Mangeshi Temple
Mangeshi temple in Goa is an amalgamation of modern and traditional Hindu pieces of architecture. The Temple is a dedication to Lord Mangueshi, incarnation of Lord Shiva. Legend has it that Lord Brahma himself consecrated the Linga that is worshipped here. The idol of the presiding deity is taken out in a procession every week on Monday.
Goa churches
Goa churches enjoy their share of popularity. There are several churches in the state owing to the long history of Portuguese rule in Goa. These churches other than being a place of worship, also makes for beautiful pieces of architecture from by gone days. Some of the popular churches in Goa are St Cathedral Church, St Francis of Assisi, Basilica of Bom Jesus, St Augustine Church among others. These churches are visited by most of the tourists heading to the state of Goa. More...
Arvalam Waterfall
Arvalem Waterfall is located 2 km from the town of Sinquelim in the North of Goa. The 24 feet high waterfalls makes for a beautiful picnic spot. One can have a look at the waterfall from the staircase of the famous Rudreshwar Temple. The government has also constructed a park near the waterfall to help people have a closer look of the fall and appreciate its beauty. More...
Aguada Fort
Aguada Fort stands tall as one of the most known representatives of the Goan history. The fort was constructed in 1612 by the Portuguese afearing an attack from the Marathas and the Dutch. The fort had a fresh water spring that provided for the water requirements of all those who used to pass through the place. The giant fort served as crucial point for all the important operations of the Portueguese.
Chapoli Dam
Located about 40 km from Margoa, Chapoli Dam is blessed with scenic charm as it lies in a valley which is surrounded by hills. If you are fond of fishing, this eco-tourist spot of Goa, is a place for you.
Mahalaxmi Temple
Mahalaxmi Temple situated in Bandora Village of Goa, is dedicated to goddess Mahalaxmi (Goddess of power and strength). The Temple has a beautifully constructed Chowk which is its major attraction. The temple constructed as early as 1413 A.D, is visited by tourists all across the country especially during the Navratri which is celebrated with a great pomp and show at the place.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls
Dudhsagar Waterfalls- springing from from a lofty height of 600m is located on the Goa-Karnataka border. It lies at a distance of 60 km from Panaji and 10 km from Colem Railway Station. The name of this waterfall evolves from the Konkani name for the falls, Dudhsagar meaning 'sea of milk'. This is because froth is formed due to the speedy surge of water from the majestic heights. The fall looks stunning post monsoon as it ripples with bubbling foam-like water. The Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most interesting falls of India and the largest and highest fall of Goa. Nearby is the Tamdi Surla Temple built by the Kadambas.
Kesarval Waterfall- Kesarval Spring is situated 22 km away from Panaji on Verna plateau off the Panaji-Margao highway. The spring is surrounded by tropical woodlands and swaying betel palms and emerges from the hard rocks.
The spring is in its full glory in the monsoons and looks fabulous, brimming with sparkling water. However it is not that impressive during summers. There is dense undergrowth surrounding the site and above its gorge the hills stretch out in the east and south. The word "Kesar-val" is derived from the Indian word for eagles that used to maintain a colony here among the afforested slopes. Steps were built in the 1950s below the hill as a stony zigzag track was the only route to reach the spring.
The spring has a reputation among the locals and the bathers who come from faraway places, of having medicinal properties in its waters. It is a very popular spa, where people bathe in its water with a strong belief that the "healing waters" with magical curative properties will drive away all their ailments.
The Tourism Department has designated the Kesarval spring as a tourist spot. Kesarval, with its rolling terraced hills, running down to the wooded countryside is a place where time is stagnant.
Wildlife
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary harbour Goa's rich bio-diversity. Foxes, wild boars and migratory birds are also found in the forests of Goa. The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots. The famous Dudhsagar Falls, India's fifth tallest at 310 metres, is located inside Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary at the Goa - Karnataka border.
The renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao. The Endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtle can be found on Morjim Beach in Pernem, Northern Goa and Galgibaga Beach in Canacona, Southern Goa. The turtles are listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act. Morjim Beach is also host to a number of migratory birds during late September to early April. The area surrounding the shore at Tembwada in Morjim also abounds in various species of birds. A number of international bird watching tours are organised in the area
Museums
There are several museums located in Goa:
- The Goa State Museum set up in 1996 aims at centralising and preserving antiquities, art objects and objects of cultural importance, depicting the different aspects of the Goan History and Culture. It is located at Patto in Goa's capital city of Panaji.
The Naval Aviation Museum near Dabolim is one among three of its kind in India. Goa Science Centre, located at the Miramar beach in Panaji. was opened in December 2001 and it houses many wonders of Science and Astronomy. Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery located in Old Goa is run by the Archaeological Survey of India.- The Museum of Christian Art has a number of paintings, sculptures and religious silverware dating back to the 16th century.'Ancestral Goa' is dedicated to the preservation of art, culture and environment and was established to preserve Goa's past and its rich traditions. This magnificent project is the result of a lot of meticulous research, planning and hardwork. Located in Loutolim, it opened to the public in April 1995.
- A special attraction of this project is the sculpture of Sant Mirabai strumming on her tambori and measuring 14 meters by 5 meters which was chiseled in Greco - Roman style from a vast expanse of laterite stone by Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares in just 30 days.
- The Big Foot Cross Museum is located at 'Ancestral Goa' in Loutolim. It is an unusual collection of crosses, from all over the world.
- The Pilar Museum is located on the Pilar hillock where the Pilar Seminary is also located. The Museum was founded by Fr Costa, and highlights various finds on and around the Pilar hillock and now preserved in the seminary museum.
- The 'Wax World' Museum, inaugurated in 2008 is located in Old Goa contains exquisite wax statues. The statues have been sculpted by Shreeji Bhaskaran, who owns the museum and is also responsible for giving India its first wax museum located at Ooty, Karnataka, which was set up in March 2007.
- 'Goa Chitra', established by Victor Hugo Gomes, is an ethnographic museum in Benaulim showcasing traditional Goan farming implements and other Goan antiques
Forts
The landscape of Goa is dotted with several forts. Fort Tiracol, the seventeenth-century Portuguese Fort Aguada, and Chapora Fort, to name a few.
Goa Beaches
Rated among the best in the world, the Goan Beaches are popular for their cosmopolitan and vibrant culture. The state has witnessed several dynasties but the remnants of the Portuguese culture still stand tall. No wonder Goa ranks as a hot tourist destination across the world and that too, because of its sun kissed beaches covering over 125 km of coastline, seven major rivers and their estuaries, lush green vegetation, hills and high cliffs. Relaxing on the beaches of Goa gives you the ultimate pleasure of holidaying. These beaches offer a number of beach resorts/hotels and other accommodation types to their guests, that provide a marvellous view of the surrounding greenery and vast Arabian Sea.
Dona Paula Beach
Agonda Beach
Anjuna Beach
Arambol Beach
Calangute Beach
Colva Beach
Dona Paula Beach
Miramar Beach
Palolem Beach
Vagator Beach
Bogmalo Beach
Baga Beach
Chapora Beach
Benaulim Beach
Cavelossim Beach
Majorda Beach
Varca Beach
Velsao Beach
Candolim Beach
How to Reach Goa
Wherever you are, if you are discussing on a beach holiday in India, Goa is surely going to be an ideal destination for you. The tiny state sandwiched in between Maharashtra and Karnataka, overlooking the Arabian Sea is graced with some of the India’s best beaches that draw in tourists from distant parts of the country. Well there is a point to note. When we speak about how to reach Goa, then why don’t we say or inquire about how to reach Panaji or how to reach Vasco Da Gama? Why do we keep on saying Goa? Anyways before we chance upon a debate, one can hop in the chromatic hues en route Panaji and Vasco Da Gama that host an International Airport and a Railway Station respectively connecting parts of the world and the country itself. Obviously there is a well knit of roadways that connects Goa to Mumbai, that is approximately 610kms, Pune that is 460kms and Kolhapur that is approximately 230kms. One who is planning to drive to Goa by road from Bangalore has to steer his wheels to National Highway 4 that connects to State Highway 34 followed by National Highway 4A and pelt along the State Highway 7. The approximate distance from Bangalore to Goa is 560kms and it takes more or less 9 long hours. Anyways one who is planning to hit the highway from Mangalore has to drive down the coastal highway, the National Highway 17, which connects Mangalore to Goa en route State Highway 7. The approximate distance from Mangalore to Goa is 360kms. Well, if you are holidaying in Kerala and all of a sudden you chance upon further couple of idle days, then your drive from Kozhikode to Goa will be one of the most enchanting drives. It covers a distance of 600kms approximately en route Mangalore.
Well drive to Goa is a part of life and is mostly actuated by nearby weekenders. Tourists from distant part of the country mostly commute either through airways or railways. The Dabolim International Airport that connects Goa to international cities, scheduled flights from Manchester to Goa and cities like Doha, Moscow and London,is approximately 4 kms from Vasco Da Gama and 30kms from Panaji. Within the country, Goa Airport runs scheduled flights from Mumbai to Goa and other cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
When Goa tourism is a grapevine among the tourists, then how to reach Goa is not a big fuss. The major railway stations in Goa are the Madgaon Railway Station, Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and Thivim Railway Station. Thus Goa by train is also well knitted by broad gauge railway that connects the state with major cities in India.
Reach Goa By Air
If you are coming to Goa by airways then the nearest international airport is located at Dabolim. Dabolim main airport is situated at a distance of almost 29 kilometers away from Panaji. This international airport is well connected with the major domestic cities as well as international major cities in U.K. and Germany as well.
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