Wecome Goa

Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, the 25th State in the Union of States of India, was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was part of Union territory of Goa, Daman & Diu till 30 May 1987 when it was carved out to form a separate State. Goa covers an area of 3702 square kilometers and comprises two Revenue district viz North Goa and South Goa. Boundaries of Goa State are defined in the North Terekhol river which separates it from Maharashtra, in the East and South by Karnataka State and West by Arabian Sea. Goa lies in Western Coast of India and is 594 Kms (by road) away from Mumbai city. Goa, for the purpose of revenue administration is divided into district viz. North and South Goa with headquarters at Panaji and Margao respectively. The entire State comprises 11 talukas. For the purpose of implementation of development programmes the State is divided into 12 community development blocks.

As per 2001 census, the population of the State is 13,42,998. Administratively the State is organised into two districts North Goa comprising six talukas with a total area of 1736 sq. kms. and South Goa comprising five talukas with an area of 1966 sq. kilometers. In all there are 383 villages of which 233 are in North Goa district and 150 in South Goa district. As per the 2001 census, there are 44 towns of which 14 are Municipalities and remaining are census towns. A very striking feature of Goa is the harmonious relationship among various religious communities, who have lived together peacefully for generations. Though a late entrant to the planning process, Goa has emerged as one of the most developed States in India and even achieved the ranking of one of the best states in India with regards to investment environment and infrastructure

History

History records that Goa formed part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3 rd century BC. It was followed by the rule of the SATAVAHANAS of Kolhapur and then the BHOJAS who formed their capital at Chandor. From 580–750 AD the CHALUKYAS of Badami had their sway over Goa until the SILHARAS took control in 1086 AD.

Guhalla Deva of the Kadambas, originally from Mysore, consolidated his hold over Chandor in the 11 th century AD till the 13 th Century AD. On a pilgrimage to Somnath, a sudden storm threatened the Kadamba King and his armada, at the mouth of the River Zuari. Arab traders, who lived in a settlement by the riverside, rescued them and in gratitude, the Arabs were allowed to carry on their commercial activities in the kingdom.

As their kingdom prospered, the Kadamba rulers built a navy that was unbeatable in its time. Chandor, their capital, was now too small. They then moved to Goa Velha, where only the massive tank of the temple of Goddess Chamunda remains today. The monastery on the hill at Pilar houses the museum that has notable collections of this period.

Jayakeshi-I 1052–1080 AD proclaimed himself as Lord of the Konkan and Emperor of the Western Seas. On his death, Goa fell into the hands of the CHALUKYAS of Kalyani and later to the YADAVAS of Devgiri.

Muslims held sway from 1312-1370 AD over the Konkan region. However with the break up of the Tughlak Kingdom, it was the Bahamani Sultans who then controlled Goa.

Madhav Mantri, who headed the army of Harihara of Vijaynagar, reclaimed and ruled Goa as the Viceroy. He fortified its Ports and through these, Arab steeds were imported for use in the Vijaynagar army. In 1469, the Bahamani vizier Khwaja Mohammed Gawan of Gulburga laid a two-year siege of Goa's seaside forts and ended Vijaynagar's rule.

Yusuf Adil Shah, the adopted son of Gawan, moved his capital to Ela in OLD Goa in 1498. He later built himself a palace in Panaji, which today houses the Secretariat. His rule lasted for 12 years. On 25 th November 1510 he lost Goa for good to Afonso de Albuquerque, a Portuguese, who had taken the city earlier in March that year. This Portuguese rule lasted for 450 years.
On 19 th December 1961, troops of the Indian union marched into Goa. By choice Goa remained a Union territory of the Indian Union for 26 Years and on 30 th May 1987 Goa attained its Statehood. In August 1992, Konkani, the Mother tongue of Goa was included in the Indian constitution.

Places of Interest

Dona Paula: At the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula is a village named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the wife of a noble man Antonio de Souto Maior, who died as a young woman in 1682. A white pavilion stands on a rocky islet at the end of the bay.

In 1969, a sculpture “Image of India” was added by Yrza Von Leistner in memory of her friends Mr. and Mrs. Robert Knox depicting the figures of Mother India and Young India, one looking to the east and the other to the west. The platform on the highest point gives pleasant views out to the Arabian Sea and across the Port of Mormugao.

The official residence of the Governor of Goa, known as Cabo Raj Bhavan is situated on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula. Along the road leading to this place lie the ruins of the small British military cemetery built during their brief occupation of the Cabo.
Dona Paula also offers ample possibilities for water sports like Boating, water scooters, fishing etc. at the jetty point.

Aguada Fort : The fortress of Aguada, erected in 1612 encircles the entire peninsula at the southwest extremity of the Bardez Taluka of north Goa. A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there, giving it the name "Aguada" (meaning 'water' in Portuguese).

This fort was built to protect the northern shores of the Mandovi estuary from Dutch and Maratha raiders. It had 79 cannon guns strategically placed that could be fired in all directions. A 19th century built lighthouse is situated inside the fortress.
Ancestral GoaIn the village of Loutolim is Ancestral Goa, a village model designed to illustrate Goa’s traditional past. Visitors are given a guided tour illustrating interesting details of day-to-day village life.

It is a mock village featuring the fisherman’s shack, the farmers’ home, the Taverna, the landowners’ impressive house. Various interesting village activities are illustrated, from distillation of the Feni liquor from Cashew Apples in a Bhatti to the potter and the village violin master.

Of particular interest are structures like Boca de Vaca (cows mouth) spring, which supplies a community with water and the Sant Khuris (the way side holy cross), where an annual feast is celebrated.

An added attraction is a chance to see the Goan spices and fruit trees. At the top of the site is “natural harmony”, a sculpture of Sant Mirabai singing a devotional song accompanied by the musical instrument “Ektara”. A little further up is the “Bigfoot”, designed as a dance floor for wedding parties and other functions.

Viceroy’s Arch : The main road in front of the Church of St. Cajetan leads to the river Mandovi through an archway known as the Viceroy's Arch. It was built by Francisco da Gama, the great grandson of Vasco da Gama between 1597 and 1600 to commemorate the centenary of Vasco da Gama’s discovery of the sea route to India.

The arch is made of laterite except for the façade on the riverside, which is facetted with greenish granite. The façade has a niche at the top with a statue in stone of Vasco da Gama. Correspondingly, in the rear, is a statue of the St. Catherine.It is at this main gate that the outgoing Viceroy officially handed over the baton of the city to the incoming Viceroy.

Getting Around in Goa

Getting around in Goa is quite easy. Due to tourism, all areas in Goa, especially the tourist spots, are well covered by an extensive network of transportation system and a variety of modes of transportation modes. You can choose from an extensive list to suit your style and budget. There are buses, auto-rickshaws, coaches and taxis. Even cars, cycles and motorcycle-taxi services are quite widespread. Several water-way services, like launches and flat-bottom ferries are also available. Tariff Rules:

Minimum charges are for 100 kms per day.
Taxes of other States, Toll Tax, Parking Fees, Ferry charges, etc. if payable by GTDC will be charged extra.

Night Halt - 8.00 PM to 8.00 A.M.
If vehicle is hired or retained before 8.00 AM and after 8 PM, night halt charges will be applicable
Charges are from garage to garage.

Detention is charged after 8 hours duty.
Tourist taxis or yellow-top taxis are also available from private operators throughout Goa and charged on Kilometer-basis or Point-to-Point fare fixed by the Directorate of Transport. Fare chart is available with the driver.

Distances between important places in Goa are given below.
Panaji – Bondla: 55 kms.
Panaji – Calangute: 16 kms.
Panaji – Cavelossim: 48 kms.
Panaji – Goa Airport: 29 kms.
Panaji – Mapusa: 13 kms.
Panaji – Margao: 33 kms.
Panaji – Mobor: 50 kms.
Panaji – Old Goa: 10 kms.
Panaji – Tiracol: 42 kms.
Panaj – Vagator: 22 kms.
Panaji – Varca: 44 kms.
Panaji – Vasco-da-Gama: 30 kms.
Margao – Cavelossim: 15 kms.
Margao – Colva Beach: 6 kms.
Margao – Goa Airport: 29 kms.
Margao – Mobor: 17 kms.
Margao – Varca: 9 kms.
Vasco-da-Gama – Goa Airport: 3 kms.
Vasco-da-Gama – Margao: 30 kms.
Goa Airport – Mobor: 48 kms.
Dabolim – Varca: 41 kms.