Sun Wholesale NBA Jerseys From China , Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa? But Goa is much more. Ancient temples and old churches? Yes. Portuguese Colony? Carnival City? The original refuge of the hippies? Yes again! Beach Paradise, India's holiday capital? the list goes on.
Goa, ?Pearl of the Orient?, is located in South Western India on the coastal belt known as the Konkan. While naturally blessed with a fortuitous combination of vast expansive beaches, forested hills and fertile plains, Goa's potential as a holiday hotspot is the result of potent intermingling of historical occurrences and the absorption capacity of its own compelling spirit.
Goa, Past and Present
Its creation divinely attributed to Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Goa's ancient rulers included the Rashtrakutas Wholesale NBA Jerseys China , Kadambas, Silahar, Chalukyas and the Bahamanis.
More recently, significant from the holidaymaker's point of view, Goa became a coveted colony of the Portuguese, remaining so till liberation by the Indian Army granted it Union Territory status, later upgraded to State of the Indian Republic.
It is to this fact, perhaps more than any other, that a Goa holiday owes its special appeal. For Wholesale NBA Jerseys , had Goa been a British colony, history would have been written very differently. Under Portuguese domination, the Iberian culture found a ready crucible to amalgamate with the original sensuous, fun loving Goan spirit. The best of what both worlds had to offer was assimilated into one people, leading to a flowering of the aesthetic, musical, even culinary arts.
The spirit of Sucegado ? carefree enjoyment and tranquil peace is probably Goa's most important, if intangible, export to the leisure holiday industry. Also reflected in his ?happy? acceptance of the Portuguese cultural invasion is the Goan's inherent adaptability and willingness to mix Wholesale Jerseys Cheap , qualities that hold the holiday and tourism industry in good stead.
A melting pot of races and religions, the fusion of the Eastern and Western cultures into its own unique ethos of mirth and self-contentment is what attracts Indian and foreign tourists, choc-a-bloc, to holiday in Goa.
Such a thriving holiday destination on the world tourism chart, Goa has many attractions to offer. Carefree beach bumming in the true spirit of Sucegado, adventure, watersports, high culture, churches and the appealing anachronism of Old Goa Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping , wild party hopping, culinary adventures ? Goa's holiday tourist is charmingly eclectic in his calling.
Beaches Holidays in Goa
India's unchallenged beach capital, Goa's coastline is generously sprinkled with sand and surf: From popular tourist spots where one usually sees more skin than sand, to untouched havens that are worth taking that extra trouble to discover.
Starting from Calangute in North Goa , clustered around Panaji, the capital of Goa, and further down, Margao in South Goa, are the most popular beaches on the tourism circuit. These are thickly surrounded by the usual agencies of tourism - hotels and facilities offering modern day luxuries Wholesale Jerseys From China , restaurants, shops, resorts, entertainment centers, spas, resorts, the works.
Outside this ring, moving either North from Calangute or South of Margao the Goa's beaches become refreshingly more pristine and unpopulated. There, it's just the sea Wholesale Jerseys China , surf washed sand, sparkling or alternatively shaded by abundant palms fronds, and you!
Some of Goa's Popular Holiday Beaches
Vagator: 22 km from Panaji, this crescent shaped beach on the Chapora River basin, in the shadow of the Chapora Fort, is a quiet place to unwind, but during the holiday season is a scene for all night parting.
Anjuna: 18 km from Panaji, nestled between the sea and hill, this is a scenic beach with superb natural beauty makes for an excellent holiday.
Baga: One of Goa's northern beaches Wholesale Jerseys , it is comparatively emptier and surrounded by scenic beauty.
Calangute: A favourite with holidaymakers, Calangute in North Goa, 15 km from Panaji, is the ?Queen of Beaches?. The down side of holiday rush means that this stretch of sand is overcrowded at any time of the year.
Sinquerim: 13 km from Panaji, Sinquerim is a popular holiday beach for its water sports facilities offering water-skiing, para-sailing diving and surfing.
Miramar: Located just 3 kms from Panaji, it understandably sees the tourist rush and is dotted with holiday homes of the rich and famous. However, lying along the mouth of the Mandovi River as it meets the sea, it is interesting for its view of the Aguada fort.
Aguada : Famous for the17th century Portuguese fort Cheap Basketball Jerseys , this has now been converted into a Hotel. Though it's grounds occupy much of the area around, the beach is open to general tourists.
Agonda: Secluded, this beautiful stretch of silvery sand is refreshing - just the holiday to unwind on the sand and listen to stories of the sea. The nearby Cabo de Rama is historically interesting. Local legend has it that Lord Rama stayed here with Sita during his exile.
Majorda: A local version of the ?Ramayana? has it that Ram was kidnapped as a child and brought up at Majorda. Later Jesuits discovered the best Goan toddy here and today's holiday attractions remain the bakeries, the best in Goa.
Colva: 39 km from Panaji and immensely popular, Colva offers a comfortable holiday with hotels, discos, shops and restaurants. Colva is also famous for the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, which has the statue of Menino Jesus.
Benaulim: Less than 2 kms from Colva, this lovely holiday destination also has thriving handicrafts center attracts tourists for its traditional rosewood furniture. The Church of St. John the Baptist on a hill is quite famous as is the monsoon feast of Sao Joao celebrated as thanksgiving.