Goa
Goa is the smallest state of India by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located on the west coast of India in the region known as the Konkan, it is surrounded by land on three sides and the Arabian sea on the fourth western side.
Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture. Each year more than 2 million tourists visit Goa and this is more than the local population. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
One reason to visit Goa is its beaches. About 125 kms of the coast line is dotted with beaches. The beaches are divided into North and South Goa Beaches. Popular among them are Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Anjuna, Colva and Palolem (where Sevashram and Clinic is located). The beaches attract tourists most to Goa. Goa is also fast becoming a hotspot for medical tourism.
Mando and Dulpod are traditional Goan musical forms. Goan Hindus are very fond of Natak, Bhajan and Kirtan. Many famous Indian Classical singers hail from Goa, such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishori Amonkar, Kesarbai Kerkar, Jitendra Abhisheki, Pandit Prabhakar Karekar. Some traditional Goan dance forms are Dekhnni, Fugdi, and Corridinho. It is also the birthplace of Goa Trance.
Palolem Beach
Palolem Beach is at 15°00′32″N 74°01′22″E / 15.00889°N 74.02278°E / , within 2 kilometres from the market town of Chaudi. It is 40 kms away from the City of Margao and 72 kms away from the Dabolim Airport.
Known as the queen of South Goa beaches it is unspoiled. Inhabited by local fishermen and foreign tourists it is a 2 kms long crescent shaped beach. One can view the whole beach from either end. The beach is featured in the hollywood movie The Bourne Supremacy (2004) as the Indian residence of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon). The initial footage in the movie gives a good idea of the natural beauty of the beach - the distinctive tree covered rocks at one end (known locally as Green Island - to which tours are run) and beach shacks.
Partagal Mutt Temple
This Mutt headquarters earlier existed at Bhatkal in 1476 AD. Later (after the Samadhi of Swami Shrikanta Tirtha) shifted to Partagali village on the banks of the sacred river Kushavati in Goa known as Gokarn-Partagali Mutt. This place is popularly known as Bramhasthan. After Swami Jeevothan Tirtha the Mutt is also called Jeevothan Mutt. Present pontiff Vidhyadhiraj Tirtha succeeded to the Peetha in 1973. The Mutt has its headquarters at Partagali, Poinguinim, and Canacona in Goa. Close by is the banks of the Talpona river.
MALLIKARJUN TEMPLE
Mallikarjun Temple Located amidst an enchanting landscape teeming with lush greenery, surrounded all around by the rolling hills of the enchanting Western Ghats. The Mallikarjun temple is renowned for its colorful festivals observed with pomp and pageantry. Built by the ancestors of the Kshatriya Samaj in 16th century, the Mallikarjun temple was subsequently refurbished in 1778.
LORD PARSHURAM TEMPLE
This temple is dedicated to Lord Parshuram and is only 3kms from Hathipal in Canacona. Legend has it that he is the Lord Parshuram was considered to be the creator of Goa. Legends say that Lord Parshuram, shot an arrow from the Western Ghats in adjacent Konkan and the arrow (Baan) landed at the site of Benaulim town. Benaulim also known as Banavali about 40 km from Panaji and 2 km south of Colva is today a beach resort. Even if the legends are considered only as myths, today a temple of Parshuram exists in Poinguinim village of Canacona Taluka in South Goa.
Largest Banyan Tree in Goa
There is a giant Vatavriksha (Banyan tree) about 200 meters to the north of the Partagal Jeevothan Mutt with 220 aerial roots and total area admeasuring 235 feet x 225 feet and is believed to be 2000 years old.
It can accommodate about 1000 people in its shade.
Chaudi Saturday local market
Chaudi also known as Chauri of Canacona is situated at about 33
km south of Margao. It is the main center of the Canacona district. It is mainly visited when one wants to get to Palolem, which is situated 2 km west. To the northeast of the town at about 1.5 km stands the new railway station.
It also has a famous market where one can get a lot of spices and all other necessary provisions. There are a number of restaurants that serve good South Indian food and other tasty dishes and drinks. There are some good hotels also for accommodation nearby.
