Goa, India
After I have spent a month in Delhi, India I will head to Goa, India. My flights are booked, on Jet Airways 352m to leave the Delhi Airport at 2:00pm and after four hours and 1 stop in Mumbai I will have arrived at the Dabloim Airport, in Goa. When I arrive in taxi I will have another chauffeur will drive me to the capital of Goa where I have rented a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condo- I will be staying here for all of August. It only cost 420 Canadian dollars, what a good deal! As I am travelling around Goa to places like Kavlem, Arambol, Palolem and Panjim I will be travelling by bus and moped- as the transportation is, apperantly, exceptional. |
| My condo for the month of august! |
Information on Goa
Goa is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Panaji is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants and conquered it soon thereafter. Goa is a former Portuguese colony, the Portuguese overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years until it was taken over by India in 1961.
Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich plants and animals, owing to its location on the Western Ghatsrange, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
The Shri Mangeshi Temple, 22k from Panaji
The Shri Mangeshi Temple stands on top a small hill surrounded with lush greenery, 22km from the capital of Goa- Panaji . This temple is one of the largest, most enchanting, serene and most frequently visited temples in Goa.The temple is small yet grand with all the component of a Hindu temple, like the Prakara, mini shrines, Garbha Griha, grand towers and spacious courtyards. One finds that inside the temple the Hindu traditional gods and their accommodation are according to Shastric injunctions. Festivals and periodical devotional activities are conducted with great zeal. Shri Mangesh temple actually had its origins in Kushasthali; now know as Cortalim, a village in Salcete. Salcete fell into Portuguese rule in 1543. This temple was dutifully preserved until the arrival of the Inquisition from Europe in 1567, when it was vandalized and demolished. The Peshwas donated the village of Mangeshi to the temple in 1739 on the suggestion of their Sardar, Shri Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar, who was a staunch follower of Shri Mangesh. Ironically, just a few years after it was built, this area too fell into Portuguese hands in 1764, but by now, the Portuguese had lost their initial religious zeal and had become quite tolerant of other religions, and so, this structure remained untouched.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa
Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Goa, India, and is a world heritage site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. The church is located in Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa in the early days of Portuguese rule. Construction work on the church began in 1594 and the church was consecrated in May 1605 by the archbishop, Dom Fr.Aleixo de Menezes. This world heritage monument has emerged as a landmark in the history of Christianity.This is one of the oldest churches in Goa, as well as in India. The floor is of marble inlaid with precious stones. Apart from the elaborate gilded altars, the interior of the church is simple. The church also holds paintings of scenes taken from the life of St. Francis Xavier.
Shri Shantadurga Temple, Kavalem
Shantadurga Temple is a large temple complex 33 km from Panaji at the foothill of Kavalem village in Ponda Taluka, Goa, India. The Shri Shantadurga Temple was once a mud shrine but in 1730 it was converted into a beautiful temple. The temple of Shree Shantadurga devi was originally at Keloshi. In Keloshi the temple was know as Santeri devi and was worshipped by that name. Shree Shatadurga's temple was built at Keloshi by an affluent merchant, Anu Shenai Mone.
Palolem Beach, Palolem, Goa
Palolem beach stretches between two magnificent headlands and the beach is lined with towering coconut palms. Every season bamboo-hut resorts and restaurants are erected along the beach allowing tourists to stay right on the sand, only a few meters away from a swim in the Arabian Sea. At the north end of the beach on the island dubbed ‘Monkey Island’ there is a sculpture by famous artist Jacek Tylicki called ‘Give if you can, Take if you have to’.
Arambol Beach, Armbol, Goa
Once a sleepy fishing village called Harmal, Arambol Beach has become the newest hippie haven for Goa’s “freaks”. They’re joined by a number of more normal looking visitors, who’re also attracted to the laid-back environment and live music scene there. The popularity of Arambol as a beach destination is growing every year, but so far, it still retains an uncommercialised feel. Local pressure has ensured there are no resorts or classy hotels at Arambol. Just basic guesthouses, most of similar standard, and huts on the beach. The usual assortment of shacks, and textile and jewellery shops, complete the picture.
Map of Goa, and the places I am going to
**All transportation will be done by bus or moped.
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