Goa is known as “Rome of the East” or “The Miami of India”, thanks to its wonderful Portuguese legacy, perky nightlife, herbal beauty, and remarkable cuisine experience. It is a vacation spot for all seasons.
Whether you want to experience seashores, delicious cuisine, or nightlife, culture of Goa has it all for you.
The culture of Goa is a fusion between Eastern and Western ways of life with the Portuguese lifestyle having a dominant role in the state be it in its architectural, cultural, cuisine, art or lifestyle.
The state has been ruled by various empires – Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and Portuguese whose remaining you can discover in its several heritage sites. Mainly the Portuguese tradition has left its impact on its mind-set and widespread way of life of the Goans.
Throughout the previous decade, it has grown to be a dream vacation spot for many overseas tourists.
History of Goa
Located on the western coast, Goa is the smallest state of India. The history of this state traces back to 20000 to 30000 years ago. In its ancient times, it was known as ‘Rewti Dweep’. Several great rulers and their dynasties prevailed on this land, like the Sumerians, Mauryan King Ashoka, and the Delhi Sultanate. In 1510, the Portuguese established their colony in Goa, until 1961, when the Indian army regained the rightful province. Initially, Goa was declared as a Union Territory. In 1987, finally, it attained the position of the 25th state of India.
Culture of Goa
Thanks to the Portuguese colonial rule, the culture of Goa is a blend of Portuguese and Indian.
The state is brimming with the vivacity of joyful spirits, and such is reflected in the people and their lifestyle. An easy preference for tourists to shed away the moulds of grinding metropolitan life, Goa is imbibed with the atmosphere of holiday and freedom.
‘Goans’ a term beloved by the people of the state, practice ‘siesta’, wherein they shut down their shops and give in the afternoon rest, from 1pm to 4 pm.
The community is inclusive, and the friendly natives come together despite religious differences. Such is evident during celebration and worship. The colourful traditions of the state are portrayed in their folk performances, including music and dance.t
Languages in Goa
Goa is a Multi-lingual state, they communicate dialects of Konkani and Marathi. Konkani is the reliable language of Goa and the total languages used in Goa are English, Portuguese, Konkani, Hindi, and Marathi.
Cuisine of Goa
Goa cuisine is a mixture of Portuguese, Muslim and Hindu patterns of cooking ensuing in exceptional cuisine. They encompass a lot of seafood which is expertly spiced and herbed, European spices are blended with Indian curry and peppers.
Goan use a lot of vinegar and coconut milk in cooking.
Rice and fish curry is the staple meals of Goa. During festivals, a Goans vegetable stew regarded as Khatkhate is very popular, which incorporates at least 5 vegetables, clean coconut, and extraordinary Goan spices.
Pork dishes such as vindaloo, chorisa, and sorpotel are popular. During Christmas egg-based multilayer sweet dish regarded as Bebinca is considered to be the best.
Feni is a famous alcoholic beverage of Goa which is both cashew feni or coconut feni.
Dance and Music in Goa
Goans are born music lovers, music is an imperative phase of Goan way of life which runs deep in their blood. Along with abundance folks’ music, Goa additionally embraces a wide variety of western types of compositions.
Goa boasts of producing some of the biggest musicians of all time. Singers such as Emiliano D’cruz, Souza Boy, M.Boyer, Alfred Rose, Kid Boxer, Rosario Rodrigues, Tony King, and J. B. Rod are from Goa.
Portuguese introduced the use of violin, piano, and mandolin in Goan music. Dekhni, Fugdi, Corridinho, Mando are some of the ordinary folks dances of Goa.
Art of Goa
The performing artwork in Goa is special and has an awesome Goan flavor. Handicrafts in Goa use a fabric that is naturally on hand like clay, sea-shell, paper, bamboo and brass which have end up pretty famous amongst tourists as they purchase them as Goans souvenirs.
Festivals in Goa
All the festivals celebrated right here has a Goan touch. Jatras (feast) is a different characteristic of the Goan get together the place a palakhi or palanquin procession is carried out and heaps of people take part in it.
There are different Goans festivals celebrated like Shigmo festival, Kalas Utsav, Novidade, Jatra of Shri Shanta Durga, Bonderam and the Goa Carnival. Along with these Christmas and New Year’s Eve attracts a lot of tourists.
Nightlife in Goa
Goa is the most active vacation spot in India recognized all through the world for its night time parties. It is stated Goa by no means sleeps, while the night parties are most sought after by youngsters throughout the world At night time Goa seashores come alive with several lights and music.
Tourism in Goa
Goa is the most famous traveller vicinity in India. Goa is known for its culture, Portuguese architecture, churches, forts, beaches, ferry rides, and nightlife.
It is a heaven for those who desire to loosen up and have fun. Tourism in Goa is one of the principal enterprise the place you can see vacationers coming from round the world all 12 months long.
Some of the best beaches in Goa are Candolim Beach, Baga Beach, Sinquerim Beach, Bambolim Beach, Arambol Beach, Vagator Beach, Benaulim Beach, Palolem Beach, Agonda Beach, Mobor and Cavelossim Beach Dudhsagar Water Falls, Kesarval Springs, Mayem Lake, Arvalem Waterfall, Kuskem Waterfall.
The well-known church is Royal Chapel of St Anthony, Church of The Carmelites, Church of St.Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Chapel of St.Catherine, Reis Magos Church, Church of Our Lady of Rosary in Goa.
The well-known temples are Mangeshi Temple, Sri Kamakshi Temple, Sri Vithal Temple, Sri Shantadurga Temple in Kavlem are some of the well-known temples in Goa. Jama Masjid and Safa Masjid at Ponda are the well-known mosques in Goa.
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Forest, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Mollem National Park are some of the well-known natural world centuries. Chapora Fort, Fort Aguada, Teracol Fort, Reis Magos Fort, Mormugao Fort, Rachol Fort, Naroa Fort, Corjuem Fort, Cabo De Rama Fort in Goa.
There are plantations like Savoi Plantation, Sahakari Spice Farm, Tropical Spice Plantation, Pascol Spice Village which attracts tourists. There are caves and different herbal beauties of Goa that attracts a lot of domestic and overseas tourist.
