Goa Attractions
Beaches of Goa
Beaches of Goa are much ahead of other beaches in India in terms of popularity and the facilities that are available here. The beaches here have been accepted as a matter of life, the exotic pleasure of have on sun and sand, and water sports facilities that include from water scooters to water gliding. To add on you can shake your legs for some time with a glass of fenny and beer, engaged in shopping on the beachside, or have midnight bonfire on the beach.Palolem Beach
Palolem is a beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. You could venture an exploreation of the little wooded islands on the northern headland This is also a fishing beach in Palolem Goa - to ferry you across. You can also try to spot dolphins here.Varca Beach
The soft white sands, the black lava rocks, beaches south of these beaches are much cleaner and quieter than most of the famous beaches of Goa. You can also plan for a dolphin watch up river Sal.Colva Beach
Colva is the most loved beach of Goans for its 20 km of virgin white sands, palm fringed, and sun drenched beaches. Colva, unlike Anjuna or Calangute, gained popularity only lately.You can live watch Bull fights in an unfenced ground from the early October to late May. You can also tap to the rhythm of konkani music at the background.
Dona Paula Beach
The Dona Paula beach is named after Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of a viceroy (in colonial India), who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias. The myth says that Dona Paula is entombed in the Cabo Chapel of the Raj Bhawan and is supposed to be seen emerging from the moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace.With the romance and myth attached to it-haunted by Dona Paula de Menzes-tourists throng the Dona Paula Beach not only in search of the deceased beloved, but also to indulge in water sports on the clear waters. The Dona Paula Beach offers an opportunity to the tourists to have a sunbath and buy cheap seaside goods from local vendors.
Aguada Beach
This beach is named after the fof Aguada built by the sea shore, by the Portuguese to control the entry into River Mandovi and to protect old Goa from enemy attack. The fortification skirts the seashore. At the center is a circular lighthouse tower. The Fort presently houses the central jail.Calangute Beach
Calangute, is the distorted form of the local vernacular word 'Koli-gutti', which means the land of fishermen. The hippies discovered this beach of pristine surroundings and blissful serene and golden sands., Tourists still trudge down the dusty, weather-beaten roads in search of that idyllic coastal Goa.Baga Beach
Baga is a small but perfect beach. The sand here isn't either white or gold but brown. There is the grove of palms that comes fairly close to the water's edge. The Baga River flows down one side of it offering a pleasant diversion for children and those who love the water but can't risk the rip currents that swirl round the mouth. Where the river and the sea meet, and on the far right bank, there is a group of black rocks against which the sea crashes in dramatic explosions of spray.Miramar Beach
This beach is located on the way to Dona Paula, 1 Kilometer ahead of the confluence of the Arabian Sea and Mandovi river. This beach is popularly known as "Gasper Dias".Agonda Beach
Agonda is a three-kilometer long beautiful cove of white sand, safely secluded in the palms. This is the perfect place for solitude experience, just the trees, the beach, the big beautiful ocean and you. If your drive for adventure forces you, hire a tent and camp for the night, listening to the crashing of the sea waves.Cavelossim Beach
These beaches are much cleaner and quieter than most of the famous beaches of Goa.Benaulim Beach
About 2 km away from Colva is the Benaulim, this beach is more peaceful and serene than Colva. The best thing about Benaulim is that it is still rather undiscovered by domestic tourists even though it is a fishing beach.Arambol Beach
This beach is an uninterrupted and stunning stretch of curving sand, still unspoilt in comparison to other beaches. The relaxed environment, peace and tranquility attracts many day-trippers from other beaches nearby.Historical Monuments:
Church of Our Lady of Rosary
In Velha Goa or Old Goa, crowning a hill, which was known as the Holy hill, is one of the earliest churches, the Church of Our Lady of Rosary. In Panajim or Panaji, as Goa's capital is called today, the oldest Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The huge Convent of Santa Monica, dating from 1606, was the first Nunnery in Asia. Today, after centuries of changing fortunes, it has been restored and is once again a residential convent.The Rachol Seminary
The Rachol Seminary in South Goa has a chequered past. Originally a Muslim fortress it was first converted by the Portuguese into a church and later into a prison. In the late 16th century, it acquired respectability as a seminary for Theological Studies, with the Jesuits rechristening it from College of All Saints to the College of St. Ignatius Loyala, the name of their Founder Church of St. Francis of Assisi.The Se Cathedral
The Se Cathedral nearby is dedicated to St. Catherine, as it was on her feast day, 25th November 1510 that Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa. Believers are awe-struck to hear of the Cross of Miracles, which is placed in the cathedral, its earlier church having been destroyed. People have had a vision of Christ on this cross and the rock on which it was found was said to spout water while, today, the cross is slowly growing. Earlier, it was at Se Cathedral that the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier were shown to the public.Basilica of Bom Jesus
Visitors from India and overseas flock to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, built in 1605, and now declared a World Heritage Monument. The church houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, who died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. The following year, while transferring his remains to Goa, in accordance with his wishes, it was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon continues to attract the devout of all lands and an Exposition or public viewing of his body every ten years attracts lakhs of pilgrims. During the 450 years of Portuguese rule in Goa, St. Francis Xavier was believed to have afforded protection to the rulers who handed over their symbols of office to the saint during every changeover of the office of Governor General. The Saint had miraculous healing powers, which were experienced by the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad when he came for the Exposition of 1878.Wildlife Sanctuaries:
Goa has rich and varied wildlife destinations. As the Western Ghats stretches to a whoping 600Kms,from Goa to its neighboring Karnataka accounts for the wildest belt for the animals.Goa Wildlife sanctuaries are a haven for herds of deer and gaurs (Indian bison), Malayan giant squirrels, clusters of monkeys, slithering cobras and pythons. You may be lucky enough to spot a few black panthers on look out for preys. Tigers and elephants are also common sights. Nature lovers, bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts find vibrant avenues in the Konkan belt to enjoy the varied wildlife.
Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary In Molem
If you are a wildlife enthusiast you could plan for a stay here to come across some of the rare species of birds and stealthy panthers on the prowl. But the most dangerous of the animals are the doles, the wild dogs, than any other carnivore.Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa is located 10 km southeast of Chaudi. It was established in 1969 to protect a vulnerable area of the forest in the Goa-Karnataka border. The 25 m high treetop watchtower overlooks a waterhole that attracts animals around dawn and dusk. It is an exciting experience to watch them from the tower.Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa is located in the lush upland foothills of the Western Ghats. Its sprawling deer park and the mini zoos are major attractions for the tourists and the locals. Originally established for the stray animals, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa, is now a breeding colony for large species of deer.