top 10 places to visit in goa:

Goa is one of the smallest state in the western coast of India but one of the biggest magnet for both the domestic and foreign tourists for it’s beautiful beaches , Hindu temples , old churches, vibrant nightlife and probably most open culture in India . Top 10 places to visit in goa are Calangute Beach , Baga Beach , Basilica of Bom Jesus , Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church , Chapora Fort, Fort Aguada , Dudhsagar waterfall , agonda beach , palolem beach and Chitra Museum . Goa has the beautiful beaches as well as Hills of Western Ghats .

It has been a Portuguese colony for more than 400 years so here the culture is very different than the rest of the India . Lot’s of domestic tourist come here to enjoy the night life and open culture of goa . In my mind it is too much crowded , roads are narrow and road transport is very slow . In my preference to enjoy beach you should go to kerala not goa . But if you want to enjoy nightlife , party then must come to goa . Goa has only two districts , north goa(which is too much crowded) but south goa( is less crowded) .

The major two religion in goa are the Hindu and Christinity . In the time of Christmas and english new year in goa , it is full with tourists and room prices are skyrocketed. The capital of the goa is Panaji . One of the most famous churches of goa is Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church which was built in 1541 . It is one of the most beautiful structure in goa . Whereas the most famous Hindu temple in goa is Shree Manguesh Shantadurgai Prasanna Temple. Konkani , hindi and English are the most spoken language in Goa. It is one of the highest per capita income states in India .

places to visit in goa :

Chapora Fort :

Chapora fort was build in a highland originally by the Bijapur king from Adil Shahi Dynasty . Later Portuguese purchased it in 1717 and used to observe on enemy , specifically of any attack by maratha’s from the North .

This fort was build by the laterite blocks and there was canons in the top of the fort . From this fort you can have the beautiful view of the chapora River and nearby beaches .

This beach is also famous for Bollywood movie shooting. Entry is free to this fort .

Fort Aguada:

This fort has been build by the portuguese in the 17 the century to defend its territories from the dutch and Maratha attacks and the waterways of the Mandavi river. It has a lighthouse on the top of the fort . It is believed to be the oldest lighthouse in Asia . It has a water spring inside the fort from the Mandavi river. Lot’s of merchants come here to get freshwater from this place.

Entry to this fort is free . You can witness a beautiful sunset from this fort .

Dudhsagar waterfall :

Dudhsagar waterfall is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in India and situated 70km from Panji. It falls from the Western Ghat Mountains of Mandovi River. The total height of the waterfall is 310 meters and the nearby rail link make it wonderful . Bollywood movie “Chennai Express ” shooting has been done here. In the monsoon season this waterfall looks fabulous.

Kulam railway station is the nearest. This is situated inside the Mollem National Park . So jungle safari or trekking through the jungle is the option to reach here .

beaches in goa :

Calangute Beach:

Calengute beach is one of the most prominent beach in North Goa . It stretches 7 km , having shade of palm trees and golden sand beach . It is popular for laid back beach and water sports like jet skying , parasailing , banana boat ride , water surfing and banana boat ride . It is very popular among domestic and foreign tourists .

Nearby attractions are Baga beach and Aguda Fort. It is situated 15 km from the Panji city .

Baga Beach :

Baga Beach is the most popular beach in the goa . It is famous for crystal clear water , low tide wave , nearby shopping place and numerous clubs , bars and music places in the night . This beach is most famous for it’s nightlife. Here the Party continues up to morning .

You can also enjoy some of the adventure sports like paraseling , jetskying and windsurfing.

Palolem Beach :

Palolem beach is one of the quiet , natural and golden sand beach with low tide in south Goa . It is perfect for the swimming . People come here for relax and spent time . People can spent the whole day laying in the beach bed .

It is covered with the shade of the palm trees , there is also mountains nearby and the whole beach is curved like a letter ‘c’. The other attraction of the beach are the boat riding and the Kayaking .

Regiligous place in goa :

Basilica of Bom Jesus :

Basilica of Bom Jesus is situated in the old Goa and it is one of the sacred for Christians as the relics of St Francis Xavier was put inside a alter . This church was build by Portuguese in 1605 in the memory of St Francis Xavier who played a major role to spread Christianity into Asia .

The Church has beautiful wooden works in the doors and the windows . It’s ceiling has been painted with biblical scene . People from all over the world come here as pilgrimage.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church :

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church is one of the catholic and oldest church of goa build in 1541 in the Baroque architecture (which is a combination of Indian , European and Portuguese architecture ). The stairs reaching to the base of the church make it a unique shape. It has a big bell in the church .

Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in December is one of the prominent festival in this church .

Shri Mangueshi Temple :

Shri Mangueshi Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temple in goa established in 1560 by the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins in the Mangeshi village which is 20 km from the Panji . The prime deity of this temple is Mangueshi (The Lord Shiva ).

It was build as a small temple but as the time goes the temple got bigger . The five storied lamp tower “Deepastambha” is the main attraction for the devotees as well as the tourists. The main festival of the temple are Mango and Shigmo .

Summary :

Goa is one of the smallest state in the Western India famous for it’s beautiful beaches , old churches , temples , mountains and picturesque waterfall . Goa is also the state of India which has the highest per capita income . Lot’s of people also come to goa for it’s open culture and nightlife . It has been the colony of Portuguese for more than 400 years so it’s building are much more influenced by Portuguese Architecture.