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Goa
Goa Beaches
Goa's long stretch of sandy coastline is renowned for its multitude of beaches. There's something on offer for everyone, from luxury resorts to makeshift huts, and trance parties to tranquility. The Goa India beach that's right for you will depend on the kind of experience you want to have. Want water sports? Head to Baga. Want to hang with the hippies. Try Arambol. Prefer isolation? Agonda or Patnem might be the beach for you.


Markets
The Anjuna flea market is held every Wednesday from morning until evening, except during the monsoon season, on the southern end of Anjuna Beach. The market has has exploded in size and attracts people from all over Goa. It's now got over 500 stalls, and is still growing. You'll find a huge assortment of goods there, but make sure you bargain. After a day of shopping til you drop, head over to Curly's beach shack and take in the sunset scene there.

If one market isn't enough for you, the Saturday Night Market and Mackie's Night Bazaar, both in the Arpora Baga area, are also worth checking out. They offer entertainment, including live music, as well as an eclectic range of food.

Old Goa
Once the magnificent Portuguese capital of Goa India, these days all that remains of Old Goa is a handful of imposing churches and cathedrals. They are amongst the largest in Asia though. Some of the buildings have now become archeological museums, and provide a fascinating display of Goa's history.

One of the most interesting buildings in Old Goa is the Convent and Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, built in 1521. Just opposite is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the preserved remains of the body of Saint Frances Xavier, a revered missionary and the patron saint of Goa. The body is shown to the public every 10 years, with the next exhibition due in 2014. Old Goa is situated not far from Panaji, Goa's current capital.


Wildlife Sanctuaries Goa India isn't just all about beaches and churches. The state's location along the mountainous Western Ghats is home to an array of birds and animals. Around 20% of Goa consists of wildlife sanctuaries. They're open all year round, although October to March are the best months to visit.

The two main sanctuaries are Bhagwan Mahvir (of which Mollem National Park is a part) and Cotigao. On the fringe of the Mollem National Park you'll find the imposing Dudhsagar Falls, where the water rages down from a huge height during and just after the monsoon season. Accommodations, provided by the Goa Forest Department, are available at both sanctuaries. For a very eco-friendly stay, try a mud hut at the Shanti Nature Resort in Mollem National Park.


Spice Plantations
Another highlight of a trip to Goa India is the spice plantations around Ponda. Goa's tropical climate and dense forests makes it an ideal place to grow spices. The spice farms are open to visitors. You can take a guided tour, enjoy the picturesque scenery, and finish with a spicy lunch.

One of the most acclaimed spice plantations in Goa is the Savoi Plantation, reached by an enchanting drive through dense jungles and hills from Ponda. Others include the Sahakari Spice Farm, Pascol Spice Village, Abyss, and the Tropical Spice Plantation. Accommodations, and other activities such as elephant or boat rides, are offered at many of the farms.


Goa By Train The major railway stations in Goa are Margao, also known as Madgaon and Vasco-da-gama. These stations are in the Konkan railway line and are directly connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and other parts of the country.

Goa By Air The Goa international airport is located at Dabolim, which is at a distance of 29 km away from Panaji. The airport connects the domestic cities as well as international cities in U.K. and Germany. Daily services are also available from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and other important cities of India.

Goa By Bus Kadamba bus stand of Panaji is the main bus station. The state owned bus services of states Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka operate from this station. These buses connect cities in Goa to in and out of the state Goa. Super deluxe A/C buses are available from Mumbai (580 km) and from Bangalore (650 km). It will cost around Rs 1500 to 2000.

Sea route is another way to reach here. Shipping services from Mumbai to Panaji are available. Vacation cruises are offered by some tourist companies for enjoying the marine life of Goa.

Festivals: Feast of St Francis Xavier: Celebrated in the month of December at Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, the Feast of St Francis Xavier attracts lots of aficionadas from all over the globe. St Francis Xavier is known to be a legendary Christian saint and it is assumed that even after his demise, the corpse of the holy figure did not decompose unlike other lesser mortals.

Feast of Three Kings: Also widely known as The Epiphany Day or Festa Dos Reis, Feast of Three Kings is organized in Old Goa on 6th of January in the citadel Of Our Lady of the Mount. The Lady of Mount, as a symbol of reverence to whom this day is remembered, was known to safeguard her people and grant their wishes. This nine days festival sees merriment in the form of lot of singing and dancing. On the concluding three days of the festivals, three young lads in emperor’s outfit arrive at the chapel and present Lady of Mount whatever they have.

Monte Music Festival: The latest festival, Monte Music festival is being celebrated in Goa a few years back. This festival marks the blend of Indian classical music with the western classical. Every year it is arranged in Capela da Nossa Senhora do Monte or Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, with the combined attempts of Cidade de Goa, Kala Academy and Fundacao Oriente. Presentations are generally conducted for four continuous days and present a stage to young talents who exhibit their creativity in front of enthusiastic audience.

Kesarbai Kerkar Music Festival: This yearly festival is being commemorated for last 24 years and is a time to rejoice for music enthusiast. It is celebrated every year in the capital city Panjim in Kala Academy complex.

Shigmotsav: Rejoiced in March from 11th moonday to 15th moonday of the month, Shigmotsav is the fiesta for the masses where people from various towns dress in vibrant attires and indulge in the hilarity of the festival. As masses boogie their ways to the shrine, they sing and dance all the way. The attraction of the celebration is the Rang Panchami during which everyone chucks gulal at each other.

Goa Heritage Festival: In collaboration with Corporation of the City of Panaji, Goa Heritage Action Group and Department of Tourism, Goa Heritage Festival, aims at sustaining and endorsing the legacy of Goa. The festival sees the presentation by several performers and artists who show their work of art. The festival not only rejoices the cultural affluence of the state but also thrives to stir awareness and approval in the minds of localites so that they admire and preserve their culture for the advantage of coming generations.

Bonderam: The festival marks its source from the time of Portuguese rule. Two towns in Goa were relentlessly locked in clashes over land issues. The Portuguese arrived and tried to solve the matter. They initiated a method of partition of assets with flags of several countries. But the villagers were not ready to accept the alterations and chucked stones at the ensigns to throw them out. In the present day, on the 4th Saturday of August, is annually celebrated as Bonderam festival that reminisces the Bonderam festival

Sea Food Festival: This yearly Sea food festival rejoices the opulent Goan sea food for five continuous days. Premiere hotels and chefs arrange their stall and exhibit exotic sea food cooked by them.
 
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