ABOUT GOA

Goa, a tiny state in Western India, charms and attracts people from across the world. Dubbed as "Paradise on Earth", it's a land where sun, sea and sand are still fairly untouched by human greed. While "Pieces of Heaven" across the globe have been ruined by over-kill, we believe we can keep Goa unspoilt and beautiful. A love for nature and respect for the land's culture and history are the first steps towards maintaining its charm and allure. Towards this end, the Goa Tourism Board invites you to come and enjoy the cultural treasure, sumptuous cuisine, historical attractions and much more, in this tropical land of mystic surroundings.

WILD DISCOVERIES

The longest stretch of forests along the coasts of the Western Ghats is in Goa. A truly blessed land, Goa is said to be one of the most beautiful states in India. Apart from innumerable beaches, churches and temples, Goa also boasts of some of the most prominent wildlife sanctuaries in the country. Offering favorable climatic conditions, Goa experiences moderate climate throughout the year.


DR. SALIM ALI BIRD SANCTUARY:-
Dr. Salim Ali Bird sanctuary is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in India. Even though this bird sanctuary is one of the smallest in Goa, it has a wide variety of species of birds and plants. Dr. Salim Ali bird sanctuary houses not just local but exotic migratory birds as well.

BONDLA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:- 
The Bondla wildlife sanctuary is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa. The landscape of the Bondla wildlife sanctuary is strikingly beautiful. The Bond la national park has a Botanical Garden. Rose Garden and Deer Park within its premises. One can also opt for a jeep safari inside the deer park in the Bondla sanctuary.










MAHAVIR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:- 
The Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary out of the four sanctuaries located in Goa. The Bhagwan Mahavir sanctuary also has interesting geographical formations. The Devil's Canyon also makes an ideal watch tower from where one can view the wildlife here. The core of this wildlife sanctuary consists of the Mollem national park. One can even stay here for a couple of days to view the wildlife in a sanctuary.

SHOPPER'S DELIGHTS

A memorable sojourn to Goa is not complete without the shopping experience Goan shopping destinations live up to their hype by attracting tourists from across the world.

ANJUNA FLEA MARKET:-
Flea markets are an inseparable part of the Goan folklore. With a rich coastline. the flea markets are bound to thrive. The Anjuna Wednesday as well as the Arpora Saturday night markets are famous for their wide variety of goods trade. Articles on sale range from Tibetan craft, Kashmiri handicraft, jewellery stones, cheap clothes, bags, bakery items and electronic goods.


MAPUSA FRIDAY MARKET:- 
This market reflects the essence of Goa and it is a riot of colors and noise. Goan women dressed in their colorful best come in from the surrounding villages to sell their locally grown vegetables or manufactured wares, including spices of all kind. It is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice. and carpet shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for straw hats, Goan Homemade Churisso etc.


MARGAO MARKET:-
Dry fish are generally sold at the entrance at the Market at Margao, Goa. Main household grocery such as Jaggery and tamarind along with dry chillies can also he seen In a few silo' at the entrance. The main shops, however, are the cashew mi. shops. Cashew nuts and feni are sold in the interiors of the market.

A MUSICAL JOURNEY

In Goa, music flows in the veins of the people. A person does not need an occasion to break into a song. Be it festival, wedding, birthday party, or just friends meeting over a cup of tea, music rules every occasion.


The folk music of Goa still retains its charm and identity and at the same time smoothly blends with western tunes and pitches. Goa is almost synonymous with trance music and one can see many trance parties taking place on the beaches of Goa. Some famous forms of traditional music of Goa are discussed below.

MANDO:- 
This traditional Goan music is usually sung to a dance and in a chorus. Mando is the preferred style of music for a wedding party. It is said to have evolved from ballroom dancing.









OVI:-
Ovi is a popular form of music that is sung during weddings by the womenfolk. The songs that are sung usually revolve around the theme of a happy life ahead and a bright future.












SUVARI:-
Suvari is a popular form of folk as well as traditional music that forms an integral part of festivals and religious occasions. It is basically an instrumental orchestra that involves a synchronized combination of different tunes set to stylized beats.













A FEW OTHER FESTIVALS THAT LIGHT UP GOA YEAR AROUND:- 
(January) FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS JATRA.
(February / March) POP, BEAT & JAZZ MUSIC FESTIVAL MAHASHIVRATRI JATRA.
(March / April) GOOD FRIDAY & EASTER YOUTH FLEET MAHAVIR JAYANTI.
(May / June) FESTIVAL OF ST. ANTHONY GOA STATEHOOD DAY.
(August) GOKUL ASHTAMI BONDERAM.
(August / September) GANESH CHATURTHI.
(September / October) DUSSEHRA / DHAROTSAV.
(October / November) DIWALI (DEEPAVALI) .
(November / December) FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY.
 TIATR FESTIVAL FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER FEAST OF OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHRISTMAS DAY.

SPLASH AWAY

Goa's splendid coastline, rivers and lakes present multiple opportunities for thrilling aquatic sport activities such as surfing, snorkeling, jet-skiing, boogie boarding, scuba diving, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and deep sea fishing. Scuba diving at Grand Island and paragliding at Arambol beach and Bogmalo beach are some of the most opted aquatic sports in Goa.

JET SKI:- 
The Jet Skis in Goa are sure to set one's heart pulsating as the equipment have power of 100-135 HP. They are capable of reaching very high speeds and thus one is advised to go along with an instructor if trying it for the first time. Once it is mastered, one can have a great skiing experience.












PARASAILING:- 
Parasailing is a much sought after sport in Goa. People who love to soar high and get a bird's eye view of the coastline and the vast sea should try the parasailing sport. Parasailing in Goa is sure to set adrenalin rushing through your body and this will be an experience you are not going to forget for a long time!










WIND SURFING:- 
Goa offers the Ideal place to try out wind surfing. It will not only let you experience the thrill but also make your vacation a truly memorable one. The breeze is lust right, the temperature of the water is Just perfect and the ocean currents are not too strong. So got sot to feel the wind lashing across your face as you set out for wind surfing in Goa.

SUN-KISSED BEACHES

The ideal combination of sun, sand, sea and surf is enough to send a person packing his bags and go on a short holiday. It becomes even better when that holiday is in one of the popular Goan beaches. Goa has a long coastline that makes it the ideal state to have beaches. The beaches of Goa are the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation and holiday in India. Right from lazing around to enjoying water sports and relishing exotic sea food, the beaches have everything that goes into making your vacation the perfect one.


ANJUNA BEACH:- 
One of the most popular beaches of India, the Anjuna beach of Goa never fails to enthrall its visitors. The beach is famous for its evening beach parties and trance parties that take place almost everyday. This exotic beach is ideal for swimming, because of its placid blue waters. The evenings are almost magical here as the vistas at this beach change dramatically. Be it kids, youngsters, couples or party animals, Anjuna beach is the place every one loves to be.










CALANGUTE BEACH:- 
The Calangute beach of Goa is known to be the busiest and most commercialized beach. This beach is a favorite haunt among tourists who come to visit Goa. The Calangute beach was discovered by hippies during 1960's and is supposed to be a heaven for beach lovers. The long shoreline is dotted with palm trees that sway hypnotically even as the vast blue ocean mesmerizes. To top it all, the shacks and restaurants located on the coastline offer lip smacking cuisine and chilled beer. Local shops and stalls sell everything from trinkets to souvenirs and beach wear, exotic beach stuff, handicrafts, etc.









VAGATOR BEACH:- 
One of those few beaches with a naturally mystical look. the Vagator beach enthralls tourists from India and abroad. This lovely beach, blessed with freshwater springs, has been the locale of many film shootings in India. The beach with its fine white sand looks absolutely ravishing with red laterite cliffs and black lava rocks Adjacent to the beach is a 500 year old Portuguese fort. The fort provides breathtaking view of the sea and the beach. It is the perfect place to be if you are looking for n nimantic holiday with your beloved.











OTHER POPULAR BEACHES OF GOA:-
Arambol Beach
Baga Beach
Benaulim Beach
Candolim Beach
CoIva Beach
Miramar Beach

GOAN FIESTA

Goa has a vibrant mix of religions and therefore, a variety of festivals. Christian festivals occur on set dates. Hindu religious festivals follow the lunar calendar and therefore change from year to year. Following are some of the national, state and local festivals, apart from local village events.

SHIGMOTSAV OR SHIGMO (February / March) 
Goa's version of Holi, this Hindu festival is held to mark the end of winter. It normally takes place on the full moon day of the month of Phalguna and is widely celebrated by groups of youths throwing colored water and powder at one another. Tourists frequently become a part of the celebrations.











CARNIVAL (February! March)
The original reason for the carnival was to celebrate the arrival of Spring and it is observed within the Catholic community as three days of partying before the start of Lent. In Panaji the festivities center around a procession of colorful floats which takes place on Sabado Gordo or Fat Sunday. The event is opened by the arrival of King Momo who makes a traditional decree ordering his subjects to forget their worries and have a good time.

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST (may / June) 
Held on 20th June, St. Anthony's feast day marks the onset of rains. The Feast of St. John is a thanksgiving for the arrival of monsoon. The most obvious manifestation of rains is the fact that the wells start to fill up again and to mark this event, young men of the community jump into the water. Since each well owner by tradition has to supply feni to the swimmers, the feast day is marked by increasingly high spirits.












NEW YEAR'S EVE (December)
Jubilant celebrations on the 31st of December, in the form of all-night street ',cowl end beach parties anticipate the good things the New Year will bring.