Goa – The Contagious Festive Spirit of People

Goa has been synonymous with beaches for a long time. Apart from safe seas and sandy beaches, Goa holds as attractions exotic wildlife, monuments of colonial era, carnival like spirit of people, eco-tourism spots and various geographic marvels like waterfalls and lakes.

Goa, the tiniest Indian state is situated in the Konkan Coast of western India.

Still Goa tourism rings about its ochre beaches. It is a blissful experience to walk through the beaches lined by coconut trees, with waves of Arabian Sea caressing your feet at the same time erasing your footsteps behind you. That momentary imbalance felt when sand escapes from under your feet will haunt you forever. Children can play on the beaches making sand castles. The seas of Goa are safe for swimming. Tourists can play in the waves with the confidence of having lifeguards on guard always round the corner. The sandy beaches are inviting for sunbathing. You can lie on beaches in the sun with or without cover and relax. There is scope for adventure sports like diving, paragliding, kite surfing, jet skiing and banana ride on the beaches. The important beaches of Goa are Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim, Miramar in the North and Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim and Palolem in the south.

Apart from beaches important Goa tourist places include wildlife sanctuaries, colonial monuments and eco tourism spots.

Goa to its eastern part homes Western Ghats. It is a region which holds rich and diverse flora and fauna. This fact is recognized by UNESCO by declaring it a bio-diversity spot. There are many wildlife and bird sanctuaries which preserve the flora and fauna and showcase them. They are equally attractive to ordinary tourists and nature lovers. The prominent of wildlife and bird sanctuaries in Goa are Bondla wildlife sanctuary, Molem wildlife sanctuary, Cotigao wildlife sanctuary, Madei wildlife sanctuary, Netravali wildlife sanctuary, Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

The interiors of Goa have colonial past living by the sides of the street. The monuments which display the elegance of Portuguese architecture are plenty. There are also churches which display splendor of Portuguese and Gothic architecture. Some of the prominent of them are Se Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Lady of Rosary, Chapel of St. Catherine, Church of Carmelites, Church of St. Cajetan, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier etc. Out of these Basilica of Bom Jesus is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Apart from churches there are some attractive temples and forts in Goa, some displaying Portuguese influence and some not. More gorgeous of the temples are Shree Bhagavati Temple, Brahma Temple, Shree Chandranath Temple, Datta Mandir, Shree Gopal Ganapathi Temple, Kamakshi Saunsthan Shiroda, Madanant Temple and Navdurga Saunsthan. More renowned of forts are Aguada Fort, Cabo De Rama Fort, Chapora Fort, Mormuagao Fort and Tiracol Fort.

The festive spirit of Goan people is contagious. You will feel like partaking in the festivities always happening in every nook and corner. Beaches are no exception. Most beaches have a vibrant night life.

There are many spice plantations which welcome tourists with a treatment in tune with nature. You can be one with nature if you nod yes to the invitation. Some of the spice plantations which does so are Savoi Plantations, Tropical Spice Plantation, Pascoal Spice village, Rustic plantation and Sahkar spice farm.

Wilson is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for Goa beaches. For more information visit at http://www.tourismgoa.org.in/