Goa
Introduction
Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous.
Important tourist centres are Colva, Calangute, Vagator, Baga, Harmal, Anjuna and Miramar beaches; Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral churches at Old Goa; Kavlem, Mardol, Mangueshi, Bandora temples; Aguada, Terekhol, Chapora and Cabo de Rama Forts; Dudhsagar and Harvalem Waterfalls and Mayem Lake Resort. The State has rich wildlife sanctuaries, viz., Bondla, Cotigao, Molem and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao covering an area of 354 sq km.
Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.
Tourist Attraction
Beaches
Agonda Beach
Agonda beach is a small, picturesque and secluded beach 37 Km from the town of Margao. Sprawling over a stretch of three kilometers of golden sand, the Agonda beach is a haven for the loners, the ones always carving for solitude. Virtually deserted all the time, one can enjoy complete seclusion in the Agonda beach. It attracts the visitors of all age group.
Arambol Beach
Arambol beach is 50 kms from Panaji and is a unique beach in the North Goa. The beach is both rocky and sandy. Arambol Beach is blessed with a sweet water pond right on the shore. The beach has adequate body surfing and there are several attractive bays at walkable distance. Arambol beach can be a sheer delight for those persons who look for peace and tranquillity.
Anjuna Beach
Anjuna beach is 18 kms from Panaji and is a popular beach adjacent to Chapora Fort. Anjuna beach is popular with the younger generation. No Doubt, Beach Anjuna is one of the best beaches in Goa. Nearby Anjuna beach there is magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920 that is flanked by octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled roofs. This is also known as 'Goa Freak capital of the World'.
Baga Beach
Baga beach is a small yet perfect beach located between Colva and Calangute. The beach is ideal for fishing, marinating in the sun and paddling the boat. The beach mesmerizes the tourists with its brown sand and palm groves which come fairly close to the water's edge. On one side of beach is the Baga River offering a pleasant diversion for children and water lovers. The meeting point of the river and the sea is bordered by a group of black rocks against which the sea crashes in dramatic explosions of spray.
Benaulim Beach
Benaulim beach is a quiet and pleasant beach lying at the end of Colva beach. It is still undiscovered by the domestic tourists enhancing its charm. Being a fishing beach, it attracts more crowds in the evenings and on weekends. The Church of St John the Baptist is situated on a hill beyond the village and is worth a visit. On the arrival of the monsoon, Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is celebrated as a thanksgiving on the beach.
Bogmolo Beach
Bogmolo beach can truly be said as a mixture of serenity and commercialism, splashed with simple beauty where one can't stop setting oneself free. It is clean and not very crowded like Anjuna beach or other beaches in Goa. It is quite safe for swimming here. After the swim, you can try out those numerous eating joints which offer delicious Goan cuisine. If you are looking for a party time while in Goa, Bogmalo beach is the perfect place.
Calangute Beach
Calangute beach is known as "The Queen of Beaches" and consists of excellent accommodation facilities at the tourist resorts and cottages. It is 16 kms from the capital city Panaji. It is on the shores of the Arabian Sea of North Goa. The name of the beach is a distortion of the local vernacular word, 'Koli-gutti', which means the 'land of fishermen'.
Cavelosim Beach
Cavelosim beach is famous for the soft white sands, and the black lava rocks. This beach is cleaner and quieter than most of the famous beaches of Goa. There are numerous beach shacks offering a variety of Goan dishes and seafood at reliable rates. In addition to it, one can enjoy watching Dolphin at Betty's Place as well as boat trips for watching Dolphin.
Chapora Beac
Chapora beach is the fascinating part of Goa. The spongy white sands, the black magma rocks, and the coconut palms, the blossoming green landscape of Chapora beach attracts the travelers from far off world. Nature playing its own music and the sea turning from aquamarine to bright green-the Chapora beach is accountable in making Goa a well-preferred travel destination even in the time of recession.
Condolim Beach
Candolim beach is the best beach if you want solitary moments from the hustle and bustle of Aguada beach though not offering too much of facilities. There is delicious and quality food complemented by long and straight beach backed by scrub-covered dunes with little shelter. In a word, it is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Colva Beach
Colva beach is one of the most suitable places, if you want to escape from the din of city life and yearn for a tranquil vacation that would soothe your soul and mind. Colva beach is situated about 40 kms from Panaji, the capital of Goa. It is also at a distance of 2km from the Benaulim beach where tourists often go to have some quiet moments. Sprawling over an expanse of 20 km, Colva beach is the longest beach in Goa.
Dona Paula Beach
Dona Paula beach is the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea. is the secluded bay of Dona Paula with a fine view of the Marmagao Harbour. 7-km from Panjim nestled on the south side of the stony, hammer-shaped peninsula that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries. This beach is confined by palm trees and casuarina groves making it an idyllic spot to relax and sunbathe.
Miramar Beach
Miramar is a golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the Arabian Sea and is nearest beach from Panaji. It is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. To watch the sunset from Panaji this beach is the best location, only fifteen minute' walk along the Dayanand Bandodker Marg riverfront avenue. The beach is an urban beach where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea. It is not a safe beach to swim because of the strong undercurrent.
Majorda Beach
Majorda beach is situated in the southern part of Bogmola is one of the marvelous beaches in Goa. It offers weary and exhausted travelers the opportunity to take some rest and recharge their batteries. Since, Majorda beach is blessed with excellent weather it is also good enough for physical rehabilitation as well. Marjorda Beach in Goa is connected to Margao with an excellent network of roadways, including buses, auto rickshaws and taxis.
Pololem Beach
Pololem beach is also 37 kms from Marmagoa. It is popularly known as Paradise Beach and is about a mile long. Its sparkling white sands fringe a crescent shaped bay. Bordered by swaying coconut palms, the steep rugged cliffs at its two ends have kept it a relatively secluded beach. A little fresh water stream at the northern end of Palolem Beach adds to its charm.
Vagator Beach
Vagator is a beach of soft white sands, the black lava rocks, the coconut palms, the lush green landscape, nature playing its own tunes, and the sea turning from aquamarine to emerald green. The magnificent beauty of the beach leaves each visitor dumbstruck. In fact, Vagator beach is the place to enjoy the adventure of going out into the sea on a small fishing boat.
Varca Beach
Varca beach is filled with soft white sands and doted with black lava rocks at certain places. Being much cleaner and quieter than most of the famous beaches of Goa, it manages to draw large number of tourists from all over. If one is staying in Benaulim, one is bound at some point to visit Varca. Bordered by swaying coconut palms, the steep rugged cliffs the beach looks splendid.
Velsao Beach
Velsao beach is a small stretch of beach located along the South Goa coast south of Bogmalo beach and north of Majorda beach and Colva beach. It is gaining more and more popularity amongst tourists every year. The beach is situated on the southern coast of the state, at a distance of approximately 25 km from Panjim, the capital city. The picture of Velsao beach captured just after sunset is truly amazing for visitors.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
One of the smallest bird sanctuaries in India it is named after the noted ornithologist of India, Salim Ali. It is covered with mangrove swamps which offer an ideal habitat for migratory as well as local birds. There are a number of rare species of birds in this sanctuary. At the confluence of Mapusa and Mandovi Rivers in Goa lies the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. From October to March, bird lovers can watch the rare species of birds amidst the thickly forested Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
Lying on the eastern side of Goa, Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the state. Covering massive area of 240 square kilometers, the sanctuary is an ideal habitat for exotic species of wild animals such as Deers and Guars, Malayan Giant Squirrels, Cobras and Pythons. You might even spot Sloth Beer, Flying Lizard, Leopard Cat, Elephants and Tigers but you have to be lucky enough for that and also have time and patience to keep your eyes hooked all the time.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread within an area of 86.65 sq km and sixty kilometres from Panjim is Cotigao wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary has thick deciduous forest and trees as long as thirty metres high. The forest is not exactly as raw as other sanctuaries since there are dwellings around. Though it gets a fair number of visitors but it is not as developed for tourism as others are. You can spot here Wild Boars, Langur, Deer, Bison, Pangolin and Black Panther. To get better luck with spotting wild animals, mount a watchtower near the waterhole. The sanctuary has a lake also, Bela lake and a Nature Interpretation Centre which has botanical and faunal exhibits.
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
The lush green and strikingly beautiful foothills shelter the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the smallest wildlife reserve in Goa. The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of about 8 square kilometers. The sanctuary is home to the sambar deer, Gaur (Indian Bison), the black-faced Langur, jackals and wild boar amongst other animals. Many times, elephants have also been spotted. The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary provides refuge to numerous species of deer as well.
Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 19-02-2010 
