Goa
GoaThe most popular party destination in India, Goa is the perfect harmony of the Indian and western cultures. The culture and architecture of Goa has Portuguese influence as it was under the Portuguese rule since early 16th century. Languages Spoken: English, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi Clothing: Goa is highly influenced by other cultures due its huge […]
The most popular party destination in India, Goa is the perfect harmony of the Indian and western cultures. The culture and architecture of Goa has Portuguese influence as it was under the Portuguese rule since early 16th century.
Languages Spoken:
English, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi
Clothing:
Goa is highly influenced by other cultures due its huge tourism industry. Mostly cotton clothes are preferred by the locals due to the climate. Traditionally, women wear sari called as ‘NavVari’. Gaon Catholics women wear dresses or gowns.
Fairs and Festivities:
Both Christian and Hindu festivals are celebrated with grandeur. Some of the local festivals are Shimgo (Shimgotsav), a 5-day colorful carnival celebrated in villages alongside the Holi festival in spring. Novidade, the festival involves making an offering to the church before the first harvest. Fireworks and music are customary, and the womenfolk perform the traditional Bhandup dance. And everyone has heard of the Goa Carnival. Music, Songs, Colors, and food, it is an entertainment for the old and the young.
Dances:
Correndinho dance, a Portuguese influence, is a popular dance among the elite youth involving admirable footwork and great rhythm. Fugdi dance, a folk dance performed by women begins the important social and religious occasions. The exquisite lamp dance on the occasion of Shimgo festival has performers balancing brass lamps on their head and hands. They dance to the traditional folksongs and the performance is breath-taking.
Music:
Goa has a lot of traditional songs to celebrate various occasions. Dhalo is a wedding song, Banvarh is a mourning song, and many such songs are a part of the Goan culture. The musical instruments include dhol, table tambura, etc. and ghumat, an earthen pot with a trapezoidal shape with the midsection bulging out. The violin and the piano were introduced by the Portugese. In the recent years, Goa has developed its own style of electronic music called the Goa trance and the Psytrance (psychedelic trance music).
Cuisine:
With a vast sea by its side, Goa’s popular cuisine is the wide range of seafood. Fish, lobsters, prawns and squids are freshly sourced from the sea. Fish curry and rice is considered to be the traditional food although other popular meats such as chicken and pork are also widely consumed. Sorpatel (pork soup), Xacati (meat/chicken with coconut) etc. are the popular local food and dishes like Cabidela are heavy with Portuguese influence.
Tourist Spots:
This tropical paradise is a plethora of beautiful churches and beaches. Bom Jesus Basilica, one of the most visited churches in the Old Goa, is a world heritage site along with many other churches such as Se Cathedral. Dona Paula beach in Panjim, Colva beach in Margao, Baga beach and Chapora beach in Mapusa are some of beautiful beaches of the state. Anjuna beach in Mapusa is the centre of all the parties and raves especially at the end of the year. Close by is the famed flea market for all the shopping needs.
How to get there:
Air: Capital city Panjim is 30km away from the national and international airport called Dabolim Airport.
Road: Goa is connected to National Highways no. 66 (from Mumbai) and 366, 566, 4A (from pune).
Rail: Direct rails along Konkan Railway and South Western Railway.