Holidays
in Goa
The
Goan coastline is heaven on
Earth for swimmers, anglers,
water sports buffs and sunbathers.Holidays
in Goa
The cruises in Goa are unforgettable
experience for lifetime of
the tourists. A cruise on
the Santa Monica yatch is
as much fun with the accompanying
song and dance as the one
along the Mandovi river. On
these cruises make sure to
watch the splendid sunset
and the unparalleled moon
rise.
Along
with the beautiful beaches,
Goa has remarkable lakes too.
The mayem Lake, all of 35
km from Panjim, is an example.
It is an ideal picnic spot
with the Cottages and the
awesome environs. Boating
is one activity every tourist
visiting this artificial lake
must indulge in.
ver
the centuries 'Govapuri' has
been seen, conquered and influenced
by the foreign powers. The
variety of gifts each one
brought for the people is
amazing. This magnificent
natural harbor with the fertile
land and the plentiful water
supply has attracted people
since the times of the golden
goose of the spice trade.
The
state reveals a unique amalgamation
of the East with the West.
The Christmas is celebrated
with equal zest as Diwali,
the spirits are as high at
the Carnival as on Durga Pooja.
The fun and frolic never seems
to end. Beer is enjoyed as
much as the traditional tipples
of Feni, the local Hootch,
and Toddy (Todi), a derivative
of palm sap.
The
Portuguese who ruled for over
450 years on Goa, gifted the
chilies to India besides introducing
the tobacco, lichis and oranges.
The other introductions range
from Pineapple from South
America, papaya from the Philippines
and Cashew from Brazil. Maize,
Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes
came from Africa. Not to forget
the Roman Catholicism, which
lead to the construction of
the churches as magnificent
as those in Italy. Later they
moved on to establish smaller
colonies in Daman, Diu and
Bassein (Vasai). Moving on
with the Portuguese influence
on the styles, we spot the
wrought iron balconies of
the colorful houses in Panjim.
Besides
the cultural diversity, the
state has a distinct topography
with lush green paradise edged
on the one side by the wooden
foothills of the Sahyadri
range and on the other by
the Arabian Sea
Goa
being the coastal state has
remarkable seafood to offer.
Right from the simple fish
curry and rice to ambot tik,
Caldeirada and Recheiado,
the goan cuisine is amazing.
Goan cuisine has always been
admired, with its gamut of
Portuguese-Goan dishes. To
feast on these visit a Goan
home or drop in at any of
the authentic restaurant.
Other eating joints offer
an international cuisine,
with options of Italian, French
and Fusion foods.
Shopping which is a must for
a holiday is true fun at Goa
with several shops making
loads of stuff easily available
for the tourists. The items
may vary from Carpets to Papier
Mache, Textiles and Silk to
Wood Carvings. Some of the
restored Goan houses have
the best of lifestyle and
fashion shops.
The
beach capital of India is
variously known as Vasco,
Govapuri, Gomantaka and Govarashtra.
Though the origin of the name
can be traced back to the
mythology, legend and history.
The
packaged tours offer a variety
of options for the tourists.
There is the Carnival package
for merry making by participating
in the Carnival parade.
Goa
has its fair share of festivals.
On one hand the Goans celebrate
the Carnival and Shigmo as
festivals of joy and Shivaratri
is one of austerity and penance.
The later being in honor of
Lord Shiva is believed to
be the most ancient of all.
The
celebration of the Carnival
and the Shigmo comprise of
various types of theatrical
performances. The festivity
commences with the canoe race
at the Baina beach. The traditional
Khell tiatr or the konkani
drama is on the steps of the
classical Yakshagana dance
of Karnatak.
It
is based on old Hindu tales
and has a rather stilted style
with a Sutradhar or a commentator
and a Kodangi to provide the
comic relief. On the whole
it is ideal for complete entertainment.
The themes of the performances
have shifted from the family
disputes during Portuguese
regime to political satire
and contemporary issues.
Each
play comprises of 6 to 7 sets
of 15 minutes each, these
sets are jumbled with two
or three songs, unrelated
to the theme of the play.
While celebrating Shigmo women
hold lamps on their heads
and perform the lamp dance.
Besides
the Shigmo, Goa carries forward
a tradition of several folk
dances. Even though Fugdi
and Dhalo are the most common
folk dances. It is Dekni is
a rare combines the traditional
and modern music. The word
'dekni' in konkani stands
for 'bewitching beauty'. On
this occasion the women dance
to the 'Ghumat' i.e. the folk
drum. Kunbi and Morulem are
other examples of the traditional
folk dance.
Along
with dance forms the Goans
carry forward the legacy of
the various forms of folk
drama and music. Dashavatari,
Goulankala, Kala, Lalit, Kalo,
Ranmale, and Rathkala are
some of the popular examples
of the former and the well
known exaples of the later
include Other forms of Goan
music include Suvari, Banvad,
Cantaram, Dasra Vadan, Gadya
Ramayan, Gaun Kani, Gosavi
Gayan, Gudulya Geetam, Jat,
Lagan Geet, Lavni, Pavada,
and devotional music like
Bhajan-Dindi, Carol Singing,
Kirtan and Ladainha.
Do
visit Goa and have a holiday
of a lifetime amidst the silvery
sands, the soothing sun, the
sensuous songs and the sumptuous
seafood. Tourism in Goa is
never dull and even if it
were our tour packages for
Goa would never allow even
a minute of it. |
