THE REAL TASTE OF GOA :
Visitors to Goa tend to think that food and drink in Goa means the famous fish, curry, rice and feni package. And for most Goans these are indeed the three basic necessities of life -- fish, curry and rice.
They combine to make a heavenly daily meal for the average Goan. But Goan cuisine, like the land itself, has many flavours and tastes with its vast treasure trove of culinary delicacies. With a wide variety ranging from prawns to sausages, chicken to beef, and numerous vegetarian dishes, Goan cuisine is able to satisfy even the most finicky gournmet appetites. Goa has some magnificent culinary delicacies like the prawn balchoa and sorpotel which have become famous around the world.
Goan food is simple but most, though not all, of it is chilli hot, spicy, and oungent. Items made from rice, fish, and coconut abound in nearly every Goan meal.
Seafood such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfrets, clams, ladyfish, mussles and oysters are used to make a variety of curries, fries, soups and pickles. Besides fresh seafood, dried and salted fish dishes are also highly priced by Goans.
Seafood such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, pomfrets, clams, ladyfish, mussles and oysters are used to make a variety of curries, fries, soups and pickles. Besides fresh seafood, dried and salted fish dishes are also highly priced by Goans.
AN EXOTIC MIX OF CULTURAL INFLUENCES
Goa's cultural traditions literally stretch back to the dawn of civilization. Despite succesive onslaughts and the ravages of alien occupation, Goa's cultural traditons have displayed amazing resilience with stimulation by every fresh challenge.
A Goan is said to be born with music in his blood and music literally accompanies him from the cradle to the grave. Musical traditions run in whole generation.
ARTS AND CRAFTS :
Goa is a land of crafts and craftsmen, where aeshetic quality finds a natural expression. Goa has a rich and magnificent tradition of the classical arts. Over the years, Goans have excelled in poetry, music and fine arts. The exquisitely carved rosewood and teak furniture, the terracota figurines, the classic brass items and the unique gold jewellery designs all speak of an age still valuable in the technology obsessed world.
Local craftsmen in Goa produce a wide variety of crafts ramging from terracota pottery and figures to superb brass lamps and decorative items.
ENTERTAINMENT :
Although Goa was made famous for its encouraging attitude towards doing nothing more than lounge by the beach, it's startling just how much else there is to do.
Goa's cultural traditions literally stretch back to the dawn of civilization. Despite succesive onslaughts and the ravages of alien occupation, Goa's cultural traditons have displayed amazing resilience with stimulation by every fresh challenge.
A Goan is said to be born with music in his blood and music literally accompanies him from the cradle to the grave. Musical traditions run in whole generation.
ARTS AND CRAFTS :
Goa is a land of crafts and craftsmen, where aeshetic quality finds a natural expression. Goa has a rich and magnificent tradition of the classical arts. Over the years, Goans have excelled in poetry, music and fine arts. The exquisitely carved rosewood and teak furniture, the terracota figurines, the classic brass items and the unique gold jewellery designs all speak of an age still valuable in the technology obsessed world.
Local craftsmen in Goa produce a wide variety of crafts ramging from terracota pottery and figures to superb brass lamps and decorative items.
ENTERTAINMENT :
Whether it's at the break of the dawn or dusk, midnight or noon, there is no end of fun and frolic in Goa. The state is plushed with variety of options for the amusement of tourists. If one is longing for a drink check out the pubs and bars situated at all the beach sides and major cities. Or just hangout at the local shacks on the beach any time of the day and enjoy the oceanic panorama.
Those who want to boogie in style, then Goa is a bliss for nightclubs and discothèques. Goa is also home to a number of Casinos and also to Caravela - the only offshore casino located on a ship in India.
A popular alternative to watching the sunset from a beach bar - at least for most Indian tourists - is an evening River Cruise along the Mandovi from Panjim. Snacks and drinks are available, and the price includes a display of Konkani and Portuguese dance accompanied by folk singers in traditional Goan costume, and sometimes a live Hindi cover band.
Nightlife in Goa is exciting and there are many ways to liven up the evening. Goans enjoy going out and it is not unusual to find families out for a night of merriment.
YOU ARE SURE TO HAVE A SPECIAL NIGHT - THE SAND , THE MOON AND THE POUNDING WAVES . . ! !
JOYOUS CELEBRATIONS :
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| CARNIVAL |
Goans have celebrations and festivals throughout the year. The most famous of these are the Carnival and the Shigmo.
CARNIVAL : the festival of fun, frolic and music is celebrated just before Lent in Feb / March . There are colourful parades in most cities with music and lavish floats.
CARNIVAL : the festival of fun, frolic and music is celebrated just before Lent in Feb / March . There are colourful parades in most cities with music and lavish floats.
The uproaries festivities of three days are presided over by King Momo and a joyous feeling is everywhere.
SHIGMO - is essentially a festival of the masses celebrating the farewell to winter and arrival of spring corresponding with the holi or spring festival held for one week up to the full- moon day in March.
Various village groups clad in thier most colourful dresses set out with festive mood with multi - coloured clothes, flags , beating drums and blowing flutes to gather at the village temples, and dance in the temple court yard singing various folk songs to the beat of drums.
There are also parades in most major Goan towns in which various folk groups attired in traditional costumes, consisting of women and men dancers give vibrant performances of various dances.
SHOPPING :
SHIGMO - is essentially a festival of the masses celebrating the farewell to winter and arrival of spring corresponding with the holi or spring festival held for one week up to the full- moon day in March.
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| SHIGMO |
There are also parades in most major Goan towns in which various folk groups attired in traditional costumes, consisting of women and men dancers give vibrant performances of various dances.
SHOPPING :
TAKING BACK MEMORIES OF YOUR VISIT ! !
For travellers to Goa, the visit is not complete unless they take back a souvenir of their memorable sojourn in this magnificent paradise. Naturally, shopping should be a priority on the itinerary of every tourist, along with the sightseeing attractions.
The excellent local handicrafts of Goa are easily the most popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mache, etc . . These are available in the Government emporium and also at shops and stalls near the popular tourist spots.
It is also a fascinating experience to go around and shop in the traditional markets of the Goan towns and villages. These markets are a mirror of Goa's ethnic culture and provide a glimpse of the typical Goan way of doing business.
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| ARJUNA MARKET |
Another item which is on the list of every traveller to Goa is a pack f the famed cashew nuts. These are available practically everywhere. There are shops specializing in selling only cashewnuts. The nuts are available in a wide variety of tastes ranging from plain, salted and masala. The prices vary based on the quality and flavour.
Two of the most famous market area are MAPUSA and ARJUNA. The Friday Market at Mapusa, where stalls sell everything from CURIOS and OLD COINS to DRIED FISH and SPICES . . ! !
TOURIST SPOTS IN GOA :
| BAGA BEACH |
* Molem National Park
* Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
* Dudhsagar Waterfalls
* Calangute Beach , the QUEEN OF INDIAN BEACHES.
* Baga beach
TRAVEL TO INDIAN SUBCONTINENT IS
INCOMPLETE WITHOUT TRAVELLING TO
GOA . .
FOR MORE INFO : * www.goatourism.gov.in
* www.goaindiatourism.com
