Description of Goa

Goa is a small state situated on the western coast of India. Goa is known as the fourth smallest populated state of India. Goa is bounded by Maharashtra to its north, eastern and southern boundaries were formed by Karnataka, while the western coast is formed by the Arabian Sea. which gives it the access to many touristy beaches and a vibrant nightlife. It is also considered as the richest Indian state. Goa is the best holiday destination in India, plan your holiday in Goa amidst the swaying palms, white sands & sparkling waters. International and domestic tourists visit this tiny state every year, in a large number. Tourists are attracted to its golden beaches, architecture, and places of worship. It is a biodiversity hotspot and is rich in flora and fauna. The place is known as the region of churches by many travelers, the culture of this place is extremely influenced by its Portugal past. Goa tour packages will never disappoint you, as this place has been constantly rated as one of the top tourist destinations in the country mainly because it has something exciting for all types of travelers. Our Goa holiday packages offer an array of tastefully crafted experience for a memorable vacation in Goa, one of the finest beach destinations in India. The best time to visit Goa is from October till March. Goa is also one of the most popular places to go for honeymoon in India and enjoy precious time with his partner. Goa is the land of sand and sun, and colonial wonders, architecture, beaches, and the majestic forts.

History of Goa

In the 3rd century, Goa was part of the Maurya Empire, ruled by the Buddhist emperor, Ashoka of Magadha. Buddhist monks laid the foundation of Buddhism in Goa. Between the 2nd century and the 6th century, Goa was ruled by the Bhojas of Goa. Chutus of Karwar also ruled some parts as feudatories of the Satavahanas of Kolhapur, Western Kshatrapas, the Abhiras of Western Maharashtra, Bhojas of the Yadav clans of Gujarat, and the Konkan Mauryas as feudatories of the Kalachuris. The rule later passed to the Chalukyas of Badami, and later the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed from 753 to 963. From 765 to 1015, the Southern Silharas of Konkan ruled Goa as the feudatories of the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas. Over the next few centuries, Goa was successively ruled by the Kadambas as the feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. They patronized Jainism in Goa. In 1312, Goa came under the governance of the Delhi Sultanate. The kingdom's grip on the region was weak, and by 1370 it was forced to surrender it to Harihara I of the Vijayanagara empire. The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory until 1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani sultans of Gulbarga. After that dynasty crumbled, the area fell into the hands of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur, who established as their auxiliary capital the city known under the Portuguese as Velha Goa. The Se Cathedral at Old Goa, an example of Portuguese architecture and one of the largest churches in Asia. The Mahadeva Temple, attributed to the Kadamba period. In 1510, the Portuguese defeated the ruling Bijapur sultan Yusuf Adil Shah with the help of a local ally, Timayya. They set up a permanent settlement in Velha Goa. This was the beginning of Portuguese rule in Goa that would last for four and a half centuries until its annexation in 1961. In 1843 the Portuguese moved the capital to Panaji from Velha Goa. By the mid-18th century, Portuguese Goa had expanded to most of the present-day state limits. Simultaneously the Portuguese lost other possessions in India until their borders stabilized and formed the Estado da Índia Portuguesa or State of Portuguese India, of which Goa was the largest territory. After India gained independence from the British in 1947, India requested that Portuguese territories on the Indian subcontinent be ceded to India. Portugal refused to negotiate on the sovereignty of its Indian enclaves. On 19 December 1961, the Indian Army invaded with Operation Vijay resulting in the annexation of Goa, and of Daman and Diu islands into the Indian union. Goa, along with Daman and Diu, was organized as a centrally administered union territory of India. On 30 May 1987, the union territory was split, and Goa was made India's twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining a union territory.

Geography of Goa

Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km (1,429 sq mi). It lies between the latitudes 14°53′54″ N and 15°40′00″ N and longitudes 73°40′33″ E and 74°20′13″ E. Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan, which is an escarpment rising up to the Western Ghats range of mountains, which separate it from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point is the Sonsogor, with an altitude of 1,167 meters (3,829 ft). Goa has a coastline of 101 km (63 mi). Goa's seven major rivers are the Zuari, Mandovi, Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Kumbarjua canal, Talpona, and the Sal. The Zuari and the Mandovi are the most important rivers, interspaced by the Kumbarjua canal, forming a major estuarine complex.  These rivers are fed by the Southwest monsoon rain and their basin covers 69% of the state's geographical area. These rivers are some of the busiest in India. Goa has more than 40 estuarine, eight marine, and about 90 riverine islands. The total navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km (157 mi). Goa has more than 300 ancient water-tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and over 100 medicinal springs.

Weather of Goa

November to February: These are the best months to visit the party capital since the weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable. It’s the perfect time to relax on the beaches because the monsoon starts to fade away and there is a slight chill in the atmosphere.  December is the time when Goa witnesses one of its most popular festivals, Sunburn, besides extensive Christmas and New Year celebrations and is home to lakhs of visitors from across the world. The temperatures in winter are around 20-22 degrees Celsius. You book your hotels in advance since this is the peak season and prices of accommodation go way higher than.

March to May: Summers is not the ideal time to visit Goa. However, the advantages of visiting Goa in the off-season are cheaper accommodation and rates of food, booze, travel, and absence of crowd and rush.

Mid-June to October: Mid-June to October is the time when the rains hit the beautiful Goa. There are parties across the length and breadth of Goa to welcome the rains. If you love the monsoon and the lush green countryside that the rain Gods turn Goa into, July to September is a great time to visit. One of the reasons to visit Goa during monsoons is also due to the festival of Sao-Joao that is held during late June. It’s an interesting event where men jump into wells that are overflowing to fetch bottles of the local alcohol called feni.

Best Time to Visit Goa

November to February

These are the best months to visit the party capital since the weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable. It’s the perfect time to relax on the beaches because the monsoon starts to fade away and there is a slight chill in the atmosphere.  December is the time when Goa witnesses one of its most popular festivals, Sunburn, besides extensive Christmas and New Year celebrations and is home to lakhs of visitors from across the world. The temperatures in winter are around 20-22 degrees Celsius. You book your hotels in advance since this is the peak season and prices of accommodation go way higher than.

How to reach Goa

By air – You can reach Goa through the nearest Goa International Airport, situated at Dabolim area, which is about 29 km away from the capital city, Panaji. This airport is well connected to important domestic airports as well as major global airports. Therefore, you can easily find online flight tickets to reach Goa by air.

By Road – On the road, the travelers can reach this area through many AC and Non-AC buses. The main bus station in Goa is the Panaji’s Kadamba bus stand which is well connected to major cities of different states.

By Rail – It is absolutely trouble-free to reach Goa as the railway stations – Vasco-da-gam & Magaon in Goa are well connected to many major regions of the country such as Mumbai.