North Goa is a district situated in Northern part of Goa , sharing its borders with Maharastra.
Tourists Attractions
Panjim, Vasco-da-Gama, Anjuna Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Chapel of Our Lady of Mount, Arambol, Baga Beach, Aguada Fort |
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About North Goa
North Goa is the northerns district of Goa, which covers the cities of Panaji, Old Goa and Vasco-da-Gama. North Goa is the major tourist attractions of Goa . The district was the first to be acquired by the Portuguese. Afonso De Albuquerque, a Portuguese traveller, occupied Goa with little initial opposition. In 1530 Goa became the capital of the Portuguese Empire in the East and mistress of the sea from the Cape of Good Hope to the China Sea . The first printing press of moveable types in the whole of India printed Doutrina Christa written by Francis Xavier & Garcia de Orta called Colloquios Dos Simples Drogos Medicinais. In 1961, with hardly any bloodshed, Goa was liberated from the Portuguese to remove the last vestiges of foreign domination in India . Goa attained statehood on 30th may, 1987 and was divided into two districts North Goa & South Goa.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
North Goa Beach:
The Beaches of North Goa are supposed to be the best beaches in India . The North Goa beaches are about life, party, and above all Fun. All the festivals are celebrated with joy and celebrations are done on these beaches.
Anjuna Beach: The most visited beaches of Goa, Anjuna Beach is a stretch of straight sand, with a backdrop of feathery coconut groves. It’s a big favourite with backpackers and travellers staying on for a long time. Anjuna is known for its flea market, held under the shady coconut groves, every Wednesday.
Arambol: Arambol is a beautiful stretch of silky sand dotted with basalt rocks, and is still comparatively uncluttered. There is a freshwater lake and some sulphur springs, close by
Calangute and Baga Beach:
A favorite haunt of the Hippies, Calangute still attracts thousands of tourists. Though the beach is still active and the ‘Om Namah Shivai trance’ continues to linger; today, Calangute is a far cry from what it used to be. Baga formed a twin beach with Calangute, and therefore shares Calangute’s colourful past. Nestling close to the estuary, this beach has more character.
Basilica of Bom Jesus
Built in 16th century 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 .
Panjim
Capital of Goa, Panajim is the mai attraction of Goa . Panajim is gateway to Goa and has the best of services for the tourists. One can find the charm of golden days in the building and monuments of Panajim. Golden beaches, beautiful churches and equally good people of Panajim can make anyone want for more.
Old Goa
Unlike the modern day Goa , Old Goa is more traditional, historic and has a unique cultural heritage. The early days of Old Goa are often described as Goa Dourada or Golden Goa. Huge churches, monastaries, cathedarals, monuments, nunneries and other Portuguese buildings are an evidence to the golden era of Goa .
GOA TEMPLES
In Goa start your temple tour with the principal temples like Brahma Temple in the village of Brahma Carambolim . Dating from 5 AD, it is one of the few temples dedicated to Brahma to be found anywhere. The Shri Bhagavati Temple in Pernem celebrates the Goddess Bhagavati Ashtabhuja, or eight-handed Goddess, one of the forms of Durga. Shri Datta Mandir at Sanquelim is known for the miraculous cure for mental troubles, which the deity, the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar, is said to offer. Shri Damodar Temple on the banks of the river Kushavati is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Christians alike. |
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The waters of the river near the temple precincts are a cure for all ailments. Shri Damodar is known simply as Danubab by the faithful and he is, till today, the patron deity of Margao. The idyllic surroundings of Zambaulin make the visit quite memorable.
The Shri Chandreshwar Temple atop the Chandranath Hill dates from the pre-Christian era, when this region formed part of the Boja capital of Chandrapur today's Chandor). The famous Shiva Linga is lit up by moonlight on the full moon night, and is said to become mystically bathed in water. Sri Chandreshwar or God of the Moon is so placed so to offer the visitor a wonderful view of the green valley below.
Like many of Goa's temples, the Devaki-Krishna Temple at Marchel was moved here from two previous locations, to be safe from oppression. The beautiful and unusual image in black stone is of the baby Krishna on his mother, Devaki's hip. Could the Baby Jesus and his Mother, Mary, represented in so many of the neighboring churches here have given this temple its inspiration, or is it simply an astonishing coincidence of the overlapping of Western and Eastern traditions?
Shri Gomanteshwar Temple at Brahmapuri, in old Goa, dates back to the Kadamba Kings who ruled Goa in the 5th century AD. In ancient times, Goa was known as Gomantakesha. The name ' Goa ' is formed from the first and the last syllables. Another theory about Goa 's name concerns Lord Krishna, who came to this land and met the gopikas or cowherd girls and, fascinated, named it after them and their cows. 'Govapuri' was this name, which also shortens to ' Goa '. Endlessly romantic myths, whose origins are lost in the mists of time, but which nevertheless remind us of this golden land's undeniable associations with our ancient past.
Near Bandona amidst lush green surroundings is the temple of Gopal-Ganapati. A modern temple, consecrated as recently as 1966, it is built on the spot where the Maratha king Sambhaji defeated the Portuguese army in 1683. The surprise defeat was believed to be a sign of the deity's protection of the rural. The image of Gopal-Ganapati was discovered quite accidentally at this historic battlefield and sheltered under a thatched-roof until recently.
One of the most celebrated and therefore most visited of Goan temples is dedicated to Sri Mangesh or Lord Shiva, the cosmic power of Perfection. A beautiful legend surrounding the name of the Lord tells how the Goddess Parvati, Shiva's consort, came to Goa in search of her divine spouse, who had left her alone in their mountainous home after a disagreement. Seeing her, Shiva took the form of a tiger, whereupon Parvati cried aloud: thrahi mam girisha! - O save me, Lord of the mountains - thereby seeking refuge in her lord. The words mam girisha transmuted to Mangesh. Thousands of believers come here annually, to take refuge in the great Lord Shiva, as Parvati had done.
Shri Ananta Temple at Sovei Veram is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the second god of the Hindu Trinity, whose role is that of preservation, just as Brahma's is of creation and Shiva's is of dissolution. This is the only Ananta Temple in Goa and therefore of special interest. Surrounded on all sides by water and beautiful countryside, the aspect of the temple site inspires tranquility and peace. For village folk, the pilgrimage could be undertaken for the purpose of exorcising spells, as the belief is that the Lord has the power to do so.
Finally, pay your obeisances to three separate temples, all dedicated to the Mother Goddess, Shanta Durga. She is so named as she is said to have mediated in a dispute between her husband, Lord Shiva and the equally influential Lord Vishnu. Having established peace or shanty between the two, she acquired the somewhat paradoxical title of Shanta Durga. For Durga is traditionally a warrior-like Devi, with ten hands, armed with fierce weapons who, seated on a tiger, battles fiercely with the forces of evil on behalf of her devotees. Those who utter her name perform even the hardest tasks with ease and, in particular, she is invoked before undertaking a mission or journey. The principal Shanta Durga temples are at Fatorpa in Quepem taluka, which is visited by thousands of believers from all over Goa . The sumptuous temple at Kavalem provides lodgings like other temples too, and in famous for its interior. The third temple is at Dhargal in Pernem, amidst beautiful surroundings. The Goddess was moved here in 1550 AD for safety from the Inquisition. Perhaps her peace loving nature helped to restore harmony in the land of her adoption.
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