Going to Goa

Goa is a tourist’s delight, with its beaches, ancient churches and delicious food.

By Our Special Correspondent

As much as for its beaches, baroque churches, ancient cuisine, Goa enchants with its old-world charm reminiscent of the colonial rule of the Portuguese. Stately mansions and bungalows built by the local aristocracy remain as vestiges of rich past. These structures, like the Menezes Branganza Mansion, have long verandas, a chapel and even a ballroom with intricate mirror work and heritage furniture. This is the best time of the year to visit Panaji, the slow-paced friendly capital, and the old city with its markets teeming with all sorts of merchandise. With the opening of the konkan Railway route, Goa has become easily accessible to tourists. Chandor is the nearest rail point to Panji. The place is all dressed up from October to peak in December during Christmas. There are carnivals and festivals, people irrespective of age and background join in the merry-making. And when it comes to dancing, none can beat the local people who have their feet tapping at the faintest strain of a tune. Each beach, Anjuna or Calangute-vast stretches of pristine sand fringed by coconut fronds, fascinating Indian and international tourist alike. An evening cruise on one of the luxury barges along the Mandovi is a priority in the itinerary. The lively Goanese culture unfolds in traditional Konkani and Portuguese songs and dances. As the sun sets and the lights are come on a fairtale-like picture is created. Panaji was famed for international city of churches, donvents, places, mansions, docks and markets swarming with activity. Before the Portuguese, the Maurya, Satavahana and Chalukya empires used the port here. To experience old Goa, one needs to wander through the churches with the ebullient decorations, twisted columns, flying angles and lashings of gilt. The churches to which a visit cannot be missed are the Basilica of Bom Jesus where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are kept in a silver casket, the Catherdral of St. Catherine and the convent and Church of St. Francis of Assissi. A visit to unfold Goa’s history. Temples of Goa have been influenced by church architecture. Colorful Chandeliers are seen hanging from some. Sri Mangesh Temple for instance has a seven-storey deepasthamba, adorned with Belgian glass. A tourist attraction is the 17th Century Fort Auada, which offers a panoramic view of the Mandovi and the Arabian Sea. Fort Aguada was a watering point for ships. The water tank here has a capacity to hold 2,00,000 liters of water, and is said to be an engineering marvel. The Heritage village at Loutolim showcases the culture, lifestyles and age-old traditions. The longest late rite sculpture of Mirabai, a handicrafts centre, nature walk through the spice garden and bird habitat are the other attractions here. The legend of the Big Foot portrayed here adds to the amusement of tourists.