Goa the most famous sea side resorts in India. Goa has always been an attraction for the tourists, who want to be close to the sea, sand and enjoy sun. In the 60's Goa was among the most frequented places in India. The hippies thronged the place. With them came a culture of careless, unbounded life style. Today all this has changed. Instead of the hippies, one spots serious tourists who come to enjoy the beaches and colourful culture of Goa. Today the beach parties might be small but they are more lively and have much more fun to offer than the 'stoned' parties during the hippy trails of the past.

Places to visit:

• Benaulim
• Chandor
• Chapora
• Daman
• Diu
• Dudhsagar Waterfalls
• Fort Aguada & Candolim
• Mapusa
• Margao
• Old Goa
• Panjim Ponda
• Vasco-de-Gama

Beaches :

• Calangute : World’s loveliest and most famous Calangute beach just 16 kms. from the capital city of Panaji is the most popular destination for domestic and foreign holidayers in goa.
• Vagator : Just a little over 20 kms. from Panaji, the most photographed beach of Goa, is the mesmerizing Vagtor Beach. Its hillock is covered by Chapora Fort.
• Anjuna : About half an hour’s drive from Panaji, famous for its well known ‘flea market’ is the Anjuna Beach, beautifully surrounded by immense coconut groves.
• Colva Beach : Located just about 6 kms. From Margoa city is the charming Colva Beach lazily swaying its palm trees and glittering its silverly white sand.
• Palolem : Deep south, less than 40 kms. From Margao city, relatively less frequented is one of the most enchanting beaches of Goa, the Palolem beach. It is an ideal locale for tourist seeking a close tie with nature and privacy.

Old Goa

10 kms. East of Panaji lies the city of Old Goa, founded by Adil shah in the first decade of the 16th century and colonized by the Portuguese as “Rome of the east”.

• Basilica of Bom Jesus : Built in 16th century, dedicated to Infant Jesus, is the most popular and famous of all churches in Goa. The mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, kept in a rich silver casket are enshrined here.
•  Se Cathedral : Most imposing of all churches at Old Goa, dedicated to st. Catherine, and famous for its ‘Golden Bell’.
• Church of St. Francis of Assisi : The enterance and the choir are in manueline style. The interior is illustrated with exquisite paintings style. The interior is illustrated with exquisite paintings.
• St. Cajetan Church : Built in style of St. Peter’s basilica in Rome.
• Reis Magos Church : Dedicated to three Magi Kings was constructed in 1555
• The church of Mae De Deus at Saligao, dedicated to mother of God was built in 1873.

Museums and Art Galleries

• Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery : Located in Old Goa, museum on history of Goa, Visiting hours 10 am to 5 PM, Friday closed
• Archieves Museum of Goa : Located at Patto, Panaji, Visiting hours 1 pm and 1400 to 1730 hrs, Saturday closed
• Museum of Christian Art, Rachol : Located in Old Goa, Visiting hours 930 to 5 PM, Monday closed
• Renaissance Art Gallery : Located at Panaji, Visiting hours 930 - 5 PM

Venerating Hinduism

• Shri Manguesh : Located at Pirol, Ponda Taluka, surrounded by rolling green hills, Shri Manguesh is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Shri Mahalsa : At Mardol 1 km. from Shri Manguesh Temple. The deity worshipped is an attribute of Vishnu, Mohini.
• Shri Ramnath : Beside the shrine of the main ramnath deity it has four small temples of Shri Laxminarayan, Shri Shantadurgs, Shri Betel and Shri Sidhantha. The five together, constitute Shri Ramnath Panchayalan.
• Shri Shantadurga : Dedicated to Shanta Durga, Goddes of Peace. The deity was transferred from Kelsi.
• Brahma Temple : 7kms. From Valpoi is located in the village of Carammbolim, Brahma Temple belongs to 5th century A.D. and is one of the few temples dedicated to lord Brahma that is found in India.
• Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla : Situated in Sanguem taluka at the foot of the ghats, is the only specimen of Kadama - Yadava architecture (13th century) in basalt stone in Goa.

Shopping

You can buy gifts, sourenir and handicrafts from all over the country in Goa. Be it Tibetan Jewellery, gems, fur coats, ready to use powdered masalas, home made taddy vinegar (Kokum) or port wine, you can get them throughout the length and breadth of the state.

• Comelot : near Ribandar, for stylish interiors
• Luisa : in cavellosim, South Goa
• Wendell Rodricks : a famous boutique
• Mapuca Friday Market : for touristy knick knacks, kokum, taddy vinegar, black jaggery, dried fish, prawns. Goan chilies (must buy), coarse sea salt etc etc.

Wild Life

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary - Situated along the North-East border of Goa at Molem, about one and half hours journey from Panaji 60 Kms along Panaji-Belgaum National Highway, the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary covers 240 sq.kms. of thich forest clad sploes of Western ghats and its valleys and is the biggest of the three sanctuaries of Goa. The sanctuary is rich in wildlife. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Besides flora and fauna there are many important geological and historical features in this sanctuary. Dudhsagar falls, about an hour's journey from Colem by train, is a feast for the eyes. The "Devil Canyon" is another beautiful geological spot. The famous Tambdi Surla Temple is about 13 kms from Molem.

Bondla Forest - Bondla Forest 50 Kms - 38 Kms from Margao. More than a sanctuary it is an ideal jungle resort and a major attraction for school going children and nature lovers. Its mini zoos, sprawling deer park in natural habitat, botanical and rose gardens attract people throughout the year. Up in the foothills of the Western Ghats, Bondla is being promoted by the Department of Tourism and is a good place to see sambar and wild boar among other things. It's the smallest of the Goan wildlife sanctuaries but the only one at present which has accommodatioon for those wishing to stay more than a day. The Zoological Park and gardens at Bondla remain closed on Thursdays.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary - 60 km from Panaji on the Panaji Mangalore National Highway. The second largest of the three wildlife sanctuaries in Goa, with an area of 105 sq. Kms. is located at about 60 Kms from Panaji, in Canacona taluka in South Goa, nearly 3 kms off the Panaji-Mangalore National Highway No.17. It is covered with dense forest and varied wildlife, avi fauna and reptiles. The ancient Jeevottam Partagal Math, noted for vedic studies, lies in the vicinity of the sanctuary.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary - Located on the Western tip of the island of Chorao along river river Mandovi near Panaji. Spread over 1.78 Sq Kms and located at the western tip of the island of Chorao along river Mandovi near Panaji. It is fully covered with mangrove species. Varieties of local as well as migratory birds frequently visit the area. This Sanctuary can be visited any time of the year with the permission of the Chief Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, Junta House, Panaji - Goa. the sanctuary is approachable by walk after crossing over by ferry from Ribandar to Chorao. There are some private parties who can take tourists around in their canoes fitted with outboard motors.

Dudhsagar Falls : 60 kms. from Panaji is the most popular destination for trekkers and hikers is a sight to behold. Water rushes down hundreds of feet in large volume from a great height, creating a most enchanting natural phenomena.

Mayem Lake : 35 kms. From Panaji is one of the state’s most popular picnic spots. Excellent accommodation and boating facilities available at the Lake.