Goa

Goa is famous for its communal harmony. The people of Goa are known as Goan and their history goes back to Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, and Austro Asiatic time. The major language of Goa is Konkani. Goa is rich in its culture and different tradition celebrating all major festival of India and also celebrates the Konkan, the Portuguese and the Bahamani Nawabi traditions. The people are very religious and like feast making in very festivals. The major festivals celebrated here are Ganesh Cahturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter. It is also famous for its New Year Celebration. A large number of tourist is attracted by the Goa Carnival.

• Goa Carnival: The most amazing thing about Goais that fun and festivities that begins in December with the holiday season does not stop upon arrival of the New Year but continues up to the celebration of Goa Carnival or the pre Mardi Gras revelry, a tradition that dates back to the arrival of Portuguese in Goa way back in 1510.
• Christmas in Goa: There is a special charm in the Christmas in Goa that sets it apart from celebrations of Christmas anywhere else in India. Being majority of the Christian population in Goa, during this time comes alive in a kaleidoscope of colors and revelry.
• Sunburn Festival: Sunburn Festival, India’s biggest Electronic Dance Music Festival, attracts more than 3,50,000 people and hundreds of artists every year. 
• Goa Liberation Day: It marks the celebration of the independence of Goa from the Portuguese hence hold a great significance in the history of Goa.
• Feast of St. Francis Xavier: The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is a feast held every year on the 3rd of December - the day he was buried - after nine days of prayer, called the Novena. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier hosts a variety of ceremonies to honor the Saint's death.
• Procession of All Saints: The Procession of All Saints in Goa is one of the most popular festivals in the state of Goa. A huge number of people take part in this festival.

Must Visiting Places In Goa:

• Basilica of Bom Jesus of Goa: - The Basilica of Bom Jesus is one of the World Heritage Monuments and is the dwelling place for the remains of Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa, in a glass coffin which is airtight, inside a silver casket.
   
• The St. Cathedral Church of Goa:- The St. Cathedral church is dedicated to St. Catherine, whose Feast Day was marked by the conquering of Goa by Alphonso de Albuquerque.
   
• Baga Beach, Goa: - Itis the perfect getaway for the people seeking quiet and peace. Enriched with brown sand, Baga is a fishing beach is the hub of foreign tourists who sunbathe under the Sun, while the palm groves swing along the wind.
   
• Anjuna Beach, Goa: – It could be call Anjuna beach as the freak capital of the world. Its signatories - the rave parties as well as the Wednesday Flea market are very popular. Do not miss the Curlie's, situated at the end of this beach, where people come to chill and enjoy the music.
   
• Colva and Benaulim Beach, Goa: - The Colva and Benaulim are two beautiful beaches, which are somewhat pristine. Colva beach is said to be one of the longest beaches in the world, whereas Benaulim beach is a beach town.
   
• MapusaBeach, Goa: - Mapusa beach, popular as a market center because of the ancient festivals which which used to be organized in the honor of the God Kanakeshwar Baba, who worships at the Bodhgeshwar Temple.
   
• Chapora and Vegator Beaches, Goa: - Chapora and Vagator are quietfishing villages where the sea takes a turn from being aquamarine to becoming emerald green. Also, marked by a 500 years old Portuguese fort, leaves all tourists astonished.
   
• Dudhsagar and Arvalem Waterfall, Goa:- The Dudhsagar and Arvalem waterfalls are a famous tourist attraction.It is situated 60 km away from Panaji.
   
• Ruins of Church of St. Augustine: -Built in 1602, Ruins of Church of St. Augustine is one of the major attraction of Goa. Here you can see the imposing retable of the high altar along with its large gilt tabernacle sheltered within an arch.
   
• Mayem Lake, Goa: -This Lake is an ideal getaway for the local Goan population marked by people coming for picnics.

• Wildlife Sanctuaries, Goa:- The wildlife sanctuaries in Goa are blessed with a peaceful atmosphere and helpful tourist facilities.

• Temple of the Tambdi Surla, Goa: – It is one of the few religious buildings that could survive Portuguese onslaught is the Temple of Tambdi Surla.

The staple food of  Goa is Rice with Fish Curry. Other famous dishes of Goa are Vindaloo, Xacuti, Sorpotel. Khatkahte a vegetable stew is very popular dish in Goa. Feni is a popular alcoholic beverage of Goa made out of cashew nut and coconut.