Goa Tourism , India:
Goa is a fabulous getaway with its beautiful beaches. Relax and
experience the idyllic peace that only India can give in sunny
Goa.
Beach shacks, which make the visitor, come back again and again
to the Goan beaches.
"The queen of Indian beaches, " Calangute is a stretch
of 7 km. Baga beach is a handy commuting point to Anjuna. At a
distance of 7 km from Panaji is the beach of Dona Paula, which
is a good site for relaxation and sunbathing. At a distance of
6 km away from Margao is another beach, Colva, which offers good
accommodation. Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Colva are dominated
by package tourism. Anjuna, the traditional rave center is popular
with the bag packers. Benaulim falls between hype and hip, and
is filled with beach shacks and low-key resorts. Arambol in the
north and Palolem in the south are idyllic by nature. Other famous
beaches include Miramar and Agonda.
The Dudhsagar waterfall and Arvalem waterfall attract many tourists
every year. The rock-cut caves of Khandepar and Arvalem are also
worth mentioning. The Pilar monastery, Saligao seminary, and Rachol
seminary attract the religious minded travelers.
While nature has been so generous to Goa, man too has contributed
a lot to Goa's beauty. The strong Roman Catholic community, with
the active support of the erstwhile Portuguese rulers, has had a
number of churches built in this picturesque locale. In Panaji,
one must visit the church dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception,
and the Chapel of St. Sebastian.
The Goa State Museum, the Secretariat, the statue of Abbe Faria
in the capital is a must see for lovers of art. The largest of
the churches in Goa, the Se Cathedral is in Old Goa and is flocked
by thousands of tourists every year. The holy shrine of Basilica
of Bom Jesus, also in Old Goa, houses the mortal remains of St.
Francis Xavier. It is a famous pilgrimage center among the Roman
Catholic world. Other famous churches are the Convent and Church
of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of St. Cajetan, Church of St.
Augustine Ruins, Church and Convent of St. Monica, Church of Our
Lady of Rosary, Chapel of St. Anthony and Chapel of St. Catherine-all
of which are in Old Goa.
Fort Aguada is worth a visit to savor the nostalgia of the Portuguese
regime, especially in its lighthouse and the Aguada jail. Terekhol
Fort in the Arambol beach has been now converted to a hotel. The
Museum of Christian Art in Rachol Seminary and church and the
Braganza House near Margao are also worth a visit. Besides these,
to get a glimpse of the Hindu population in Goa, one has to visit
Ponda. The Kerkar Art Complex in south Calangute is also an important
tourist center.
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