Situated on the south bank of the Mandovi estuary in north Goa is Panaji or Panjim the State Capital. Built around the Altinho hill, its Portuguese appeal can still be seen in its elegantly red roofed Portuguese villas, boats plying up and down the Mandovi river, gardens and avenues lined with Gulmohor and Acassia trees as well homes built using Latin architecture.
ENTERTAINMENT
January: Festival of the Three Kings.
May: Pop, Beat & Jazz Music Festival.
June: Feast of St Anthony.
November: The Teator Festival, showcasing folk dances and dramas of Goa.
Another festival associated with the monsoon is the Feast of St Peter and Paul. The fishing community in Bardez use fishing rafts to serve as a stage for the festivities.
Honeymoon Attractions in Goa
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DONA PAULA
An idyllic picturesque spot, it commands a fine view of the Zuari River and Mormugao Harbour. Water scattering facilities are available here. |
BASILICA OF BOM JESUS
Built in the 16th century, it is the most popular and famous, of all churches in Goa. The mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, kept in a silver casket, are enshrined here. This church, dedicated to Infant Jesus, is now a World Heritage Monument.
SE CATHEDRAL
Most imposing of all the churches in Old Goa, its vaulted interior overwhelms the visitors, by sheer grandeur. This Cathedral has five bells, of which, one is the famous Golden bell, the biggest in Goa and one of the best in the World. The church is dedicated to St. Catherine.
CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISSI
The entrance and the choir are in the Manueline style, the only fragment of its kind in the East. The interior is illustrated with exquisite paintings. The adjacent convent, now houses the Archaeological Museum.
OTHERS
ARVALEM WATERFALLS - Leaving the temple of Rudreshwar, one can descend the staircase to look at a majestic waterfall shedding its exuberant silvery showers. The beautiful fall, with a head of about 70 ft. forms a sizeable like at the bottom, which offers a temptation to season. BHAGVAN MAHAVIR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Situated along the Northeast border of Goa at Molem the sanctuary is rich in wildlife. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Besides flora and fauna, there are many important geological and historical features in this sanctuary. MARGOA - The capital of South Goa district in the hinterland of Southern Goa in Salcete Taluka is a thriving commercial metropolis linked by rail to the rest of India & Mormugao Harbour and by National Highways, with Maharashtra and Karnataka. MIRAMAR - A lovely golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest to Panaji. SHRI MAGUESH - Dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in the village of Bandora about 4 kms to the east of Ponda. The temple Sabhamandap has a gallery on both sides that contains exquisite specimen of intricate woodcarvings of the event of Ramayana on one side. VASCO -DA - GAMA - A modern, well laid out city close to Mormugao Harbour, has beautiful and extensive avenues. The air terminus of Goa at Dabolim lies on the outskirts of the city. It is also the railway terminus for passenger service on the South Central Railway. |
