Goa, Damaiz
& Diu
Skirted by the Arabian Sea in the west
and Ghats in the east, Goa, a former Portuguese enclave is famous
for its silvery sands and superb Golden Coast line. Goa, nestled
in the creek of the Sahyadri Ranges, and amidst thick groves
of exotic coconuts, combined with two other small island of
Daman (72 sq. km.) and Diu (42 sq. km.) off the coast of Gujarat,
is an integral part of India. It was administered from Delhi
as a Union Territory but it became the 25th State of India on
May 30, 1987. The overland districts of Daman and Diu were delinked
from Goa and are now a Union Territory. With an area around
4,000 sq. km. and population around fifteen thousand, it is
ideal to come here between October to May. Principal languages
spoken here arc Konkani, Marathi and Gujarati, but owing to
the dominance of Christians, a little knowledge of English will
come very handy for the visitors. Goa is a tourist’s paradise
with its sprawling, sun-spangled, silvery beaches, cool, calm
and endless azure horizons, palm- lined rivers, sea-resorts,
ancient temples, ornate riches, forts, waterfalls, picnic spots,
carnivals, sumptuous cuisine languid fun-filled life and lazing.
Though small in size, its attractions are many and varied Panaji
is its capital which is a convenient take off point for other
sports of tourist interest in Goa. The places worth visiting
besides Panaji are Vehha Goa, Margao, Colva Beach, Calangute
Beach, Aguda Fort, Mapusa and Vasco-de-Gama, Panaji is well
connected by air with Bombay and Vasco-de-Gama or Shambhaji
Nagar is the nearest railhead, connected to Bombay and Delhi.
Therefore many goods hotels for visitor’s stay. A steamer
service links it with Bombay too.
