About Goa:

Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area. Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa. Over the centuries various dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas, Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic. Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions. All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous. Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which weave their way throughout the state forming the inland waterways adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used to transport Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese ore to Mormugao Harbour. Along the way to the coast these waterways form estuaries, creeks and bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed coastline behind which lie the fishing villages among the coconut groves. Panaji (Panjim) is the state capital located on the banks of the Mandovi river and Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda are the other major towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. An intra-state and inter-state bus network also plays an important role in getting locals and visitors alike in and around Goa. The vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain range ensures that Goa has an abundance of water. The sea and rivers abound in seafood - prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and the visitors. Along with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the state languages. The national language Hindi is also well understood in most areas around the state. Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences the Goans had to endure during the centuries. The staple food in Goa is fish and rice, both among the Hindus and the Catholics. Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan food is not strongly influenced by the Portuguese cuisine. Since the arrival of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been a major destination on the itinerary of international and domestic tourists. The tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries on through early March. The weather in these months is usually dry and pleasantly cool. Then the weather gets fairly hot around May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during the monsoon that Goa is probably at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around. Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.

Goa: State of India

Goa is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its long history as a Portuguese colony prior to 1961 is evident in its preserved 17th-century churches and the area’s tropical spice plantations. Goa is also known for its beaches, ranging from popular stretches at Baga and Palolem to those in laid-back fishing villages such as Agonda.

Land area: 3,702 km²

Districts: 2

Population: 1.817 million (2012)

Plan a trip

Goa travel guide

3-star hotel averaging ₹ 3,868, 5-star averaging ₹ 10,702

1 h 10 min flight, from ₹ 13,068

Destinations: Panaji, Calangute, Old Goa, Baga, MORE

Capitals: Mumbai (Judiciary), Panaji (Executive Branch), Porvorim (Legislature)

Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, the 25th state of the Union states of India, was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was a part of Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu till 30th May 1987 when it was carved out of form a separate state. Goa covers an area of 3702 square kilometers and comprises two Revenue district viz North Goa and South Goa. Boundaries of Goa State are defined in the North Terekhol river which separates it from Maharashtra, in the East and South by Karnataka State and West by Arabian Sea. Goa lies in Western Coast of India and is 594 Kms (by road) away from Mumbai city.

Consulates of foreign countries in Goa

Foreign Consulates Listing

There are quite a few consulates of foreign countries located in Goa. You can contact them for any assistance and queries. Their contact addresses and phone nos are given below:

Distances to Goa

Goa - location distances in kms.

Goa is well connected by National Highways to most major towns in India. The distance of Goa from a few of these is given below.

From Via

Distance

in kms

Bangalore Hiriyur, Hubli, Londa, Ponda

598

Belgaum Londa, Anmod, Ponda

157

Mumbai Panvel, Mahad, Ponda

594

Cochin Mangalore, Karwar, Margao

833

Delhi Agra, Indore, Dhulia, Nasik, Pune

1895

Guntakal Bellary, Hospet, Hubli, Londa, Ponda

445

Hospet Gadag, Hubli, Londa, Anmod, Ponda

315

Hubli Londa, Anmod, Ponda

184

Hyderabad Yadgir, Mudgal, Hungund

757

Kolhapur Amboli Ghat, Sawantwadi

246

Chennai Bangalore, Hiriyur, Hubli, Londa, Ponda

920

Mangalore Karwar, Margao

371

Mysore Hasan, Jog falls, Astoli

696

Pune Satara, Kolhapur, Amboli, Sawantwadi

British Nationals Assistance Office

303-304, Casa Del Sol (Ground Floor),

Opposite Goa Marriott Resort,

Miramar, Panaji,

Goa 403 001

Tel: 00 91 832 2461110/3

Out of Office number: 00 91 11 24192100

Email: assistance@goaukconsular.org

German Consulate

CMM House,

Rua de Ourem, Panaji

Phone: 2235526

Consulate General of Portugal

Smt. Parvathi House No. 38 & 39,

Fr. Agnelo Road, Altinho, Panaji,.

Phone: 2421525, 2424524, 2424526, Fax: 2421522

Austrian Consulate

Salgaocar House,

Dr. Luis Gomes Road,

Vasco-Da-Gama, Goa

Phone: 2513811, 2513816

Italian Consulate

B-1 Sesa Ghor,

Patto, Panaji

Phone: 2438944

Konkani for the Traveller

A Little Bit of Konkani on Your Tongue

Konkani is the mother-tongue of Goans - the people of Goa. It is also the state's official language having been recognised as so in 1976 and is also one of the languages recognised in the constitution of India.

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Since Konkani is used everywhere in Goa in day-to-day life, this section is intended to provide you with some basics in the native language of Goa.

The smattering of phrases or words given here will certainly not make you an expert nor is in any way a substitute for any formal language training. But the list of essential Konkani words and phrases given in this section will help you interact with the locals on your trip to Goa.

Konkani is a beautiful language and we hope with this brief introduction you will be motivated to learn more and explore it beyond what is presented here.

English Numbers

Konkani Translation

One

Ek

Two

Don

Three

Tin

Four

Char

Five

Panch

Six

Sou

Seven

Sat

Eight

Ath

Nine

Nou

Ten

Dha

Eleven

Ikra

Twelve

Bara

Thirteen

Tera

Fourteen

Choudah

Fifteen

Pondra

Sixteen

Solla

Seventeen

Sothra

Eighteen

Otthra

Nineteen

Ekunnis

Twenty

Vis

English Words

Konkani Translation

Alright/OK

Borem

Bad

Borem Num

Boy

Cheddo

Girl

Cheddum

Excuse me

Matxem

Fast

Begin

Woman

Bail

Man

Dadlo

Here

Hinga

How much

Kitle

I/Me

Hanv

My/Mine

Mojem

You

Tum

More

Odik

No

Na

Reduce it

Todde Kor

Slow

Soukas

Sorry

Guneaun bogos

Stop

Rau

Stop here

Hinga rau

There

Thinga

They

Thim

This

Hem

Too expensive

Ekdom marog

We

Ami

What

Kitem

When

Kedna

Where

Khuim

Who

Konn

Why

Kiteak

Yes

Voi

Goa Tour Operator

goatouroperator@gmail.com

09370314751 / 52

07720079131 / 32

https://sites.google.com/site/goatourtraveloperatorgoa/

www.goatouroperator.online

www.goatouroperator.in

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Proprietor: Mr.Anant Songire

Head Office: Pune, Maharashtra, India, Asia

Branch Offices & Associates: All Major Cities Of Goa And India

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