About Goa

Goa, the Pearl of the Orient and the Rome of the East is a State located in the south western region of India, 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. It is India’s smallest State by area and the fourth smallest by population, however it boasts of a very high human development Index of 0.77 and is second to Kerala. Goa is the only State in India that boasts of 2 official mother tongues, Konkani and Marathi and blends perfectly with Eastern and Western culture.

This coastal State has a vibrant history that has a mix of the elements of the African, Hindu-Aryan, the Vijayanagara Emprire, the Adil Shah dynasty, the Bhojas, Chalukyas and the most significant rulers being the Portuguese who guided the destiny of this mineral rich State for 450 years.

Vasco-da-Gama was the first Portuguese seafarer and explorer to discover this coastal State in 1498. In 1510 the Portuguese defeated the ruling Bijapur Sultan, Adil Shah and set up their permanent settlement in Velha Goa. This was the inception for the four and a half century long Portuguese rule. It was only on 19th December 1961 that the 450 years long Portuguese rule came to an end. It was Operation Vijay, undertaken by the Indian army that freed Goa from the clutches of the Portuguese bringing an end to Western colonialism. The influence of the Portuguese on our soil measures epic proportions and are credited for introducing western architectural designs, the Christian faith, Western classical music and dance, folklore and delectable cuisine among others. Goans finally saw their long awaited dream turn into a reality when, on the 30th of May 1987 Goa was made the 25thState in the Indian Union and joined the National mainstream after shedding its tag of a Union Territory.

The land mass area is around 3702 sq. kms having a coastal line of around 105 kms. The major rivers in the State are Mandovi, Zuari, chapora, tiracol, Sal and Talpon Mai. Being a coastal State the State is bestowed with a plethora of picturesque beaches that attract enormous tourists every year! Probably this is what gave Goa the name, the land of the sun, sea and sand. The State is already receiving attention from the western tourists as the most preferred spot for holistic medical tourism in view of its idyllic surroundings and peaceful locales where harmony and warm hospitality vibe like twin sisters.

Goa boasts of a unique harmony amongst all of its religious communities, something that is a blessing in disguise, this is in existence since times immemorial. Some of the major festivals in the State are Ganesh Chathurthi, Diwali, Holi, Christmas , Easter and Eid. Besides, owing to the Portuguese influence, Goa hosts number of feasts of chapels and crosses all through the year, the most prominent among them being the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the Patron Saint of the State, whose relics are preserved in a silver casket at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa. This feast is celebrated on the 3rd of December. The State was recently bestowed upon with its own saint, St. Joseph Vaz in January 2015 from the southern village of Sancoale. The communal harmony in the State is another factor that has stimulated and enhanced the growth of the State.

Besides religious festivities one can witness a large number of other cultural, local and recreational activities. The State experiences a large flock of inbound domestic as well as international tourists during the months of February to March to experience the carnival and Shigmo festivals, which are State celebrations. The carnival festival takes place a week before the inception of the Lenten season observed by Christians across the State. The shigmo festival on the other hand depicts the Hindu mythology with the help of caricatures, trotting around the city on trailers. Whereas carnival is a festival of fun, frolic and dance as it marks the beginning of the fasting period. Besides the carnival and the shigmo the other cultural events that take place across the State are Bonderam, San Joao pool Parties, the ‘Pattoleanchem fest’, the grape escapade an initiative of the GTDC, Goa food and cultural festival, ‘Touxeanchem fest’. The last few years have also witnessed the upsurge of high decibel EDM music festivals like sunburn, supersonic etc which bring in a large number of young tourists into the State. The mando is a traditional dance and song style that is based on slow and romantic music. The traditional dance of the State is the dekhni dance, the other local dances are: fugdi, divyanach, ghodde-moddnni. The Portuguese dance style, corrodinha also forms an integral part of the State culture. Goa is the home to some of the world’s finest musicians in the field of Jazz and Fado.

The narrow Fontainhas lanes in Panjim depict the Portuguese influence on the style of Goan Houses, to perfection! Every visitor is left spell bound by the architectural beauty of these lanes. The staple diet of most Goykars is xit-koddi-nustem {rice-curry-fish}. Being a coastal State there is a wide variety of fish available in the local markets. Goykars also enjoy having homemade pickels, molhos, salted mangoes, home-made jams etc. Pork sorpotel, Pork cabidel, beef roast, chicken xacuti, channaros, prawn balchao, recheado fish are some of the delicacies one must try when on a holiday to Goa.

The smallest State of India is well connected with all the major modes of transport. The literacy rate of the State stands at 88.7% as per the 2011 census. The State has one State University and other schools and colleges professional and degree colleges that impart, elementary as well as higher level education to the population. The State also has its own fine arts, architecture and law college, medical, engineering and other professional colleges. The State has witnessed a rise in the number of media houses, print and broadcasts media in the recent times. Goa is famous across the globe especially in the UK, US and the Middle East for its Tiatrs, a unique form of dramatic art that’s staged live and is in its 125 years of celebration! It’s a ethnic Goan version of the Broadway theatre shows. This dramatic art form which is 125 years old has evolved over time and sustains the livelihood of thousands of professional and commercial artists. There are a few variants of the tiatr; khell, zagoretc which are staged in villages and for competitions organised by the Tiatr Academy of Goa {TAG}, Kala Academy and other private cultural institutions. The Goan ‘tiatr’ depicts the various aspects, ups and downs, and social evils in the Goan society. It is nothing but a mirror that reflects the Goan society and socio-political, socio-economic and socio-cultural scenario of the people of this place.

The State is the proud host and permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India {IFFI} for over 12 years now. This festival attracts a large number of domestic as well as international tourists, celebrities and personalities. The favourite sport of most of the Goykars is football, and the State is the home to many a local football teams that have made it big at the international level.

The people of Goa are warm, loving, friendly, hospitable, generous and ‘sussegad’ (laid back) as the world refers to them as. They are open minded, happy go lucky and easy going. The State of Goa is a paradise, a paradise that has despite the fast paced development has retained its old charm and magic. Goa is a heaven on earth. And there are many reasons to justify this claim. One has to only experience its charm and beauty to fall in love with it over and over again. That’s what Goa is all about, a place where dreams are lived in reality, at your own pace, on your own terms. We are blessed, for as true Goans, we live in a State that the rest of the world calls Paradise, and long to be a part of it at any point of time in their life time! Truly so, Goa thy second name is Paradise. Viva Goa! Viva Goykara!