North Goa: sights and interesting places
The smallest of the Indian states is famous for its curious corners and unique sights. It can be compared to a chest full of various treasures that delight tourists. Exotic Goa is the most famous resort in India, hosting hundreds of thousands of travelers from different parts of our planet. Here everyone will find something suitable for themselves, and no one will be disappointed with a wonderful journey to a magical place created to enjoy life.
Two parts of Goa
The pearl of the Indian coast is divided into two parts that differ from each other. Wealthy family tourists rest on vacations, and Severny is adored by young people for affordable prices in hotels and a huge amount of entertainment. Life is seething here even at night: cheerful discos and parties will not let anyone get bored.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the dream of every traveler is to see the best that North Goa can boast of - the sights! Reviews of tourists who visited the magical corner are full of delight, and this is quite natural.
The popular resort is located on the west coast of India. From the east, it is surrounded by mountains, most of which are covered with evergreen forests. About 800 thousand people live in the northern part of Goa, speaking a variety of languages.
Climate and weather
North Goa, whose sights are of great interest to tourists, surprises with fine weather even in winter, because a tropical climate reigns here. Summer lasts from March to May, and all three months the temperature can reach more than 30 ° C. From June to September, the monsoon season reigns, when there is a lot of rainfall. This weather is not suitable for a beach holiday. After the rainy season, warm autumn sets in, and winter lasts from November to February, and even at night the temperature does not drop below 20 ° C. This is the highest tourist season, and it is no coincidence that prices for all services and goods of the picturesque resort rise significantly.
Waterfall Dudhsagar
What attracts tourists to North Goa? The sights created by nature itself and man are very diverse, and their inspection will make the rest as rich as possible.
One of the most popular excursions is a trip to the Dudhsagar waterfall located among the virgin nature (Dudhsagar), which is located near the capital of the state of Panaji. The miraculous miracle falling from a height of 310 meters and the surrounding landscapes are amazing. The sight of a real water extravaganza with many small splashes sparkling in the rays of sunlight is breathtaking. Powerful streams of boiling white color fall from rocks cut by time into a cold lake, in which tourists swim, noting that this is one of the largest on our planet.
Bhagwan Mahavir Reserve
The natural attractions of North Goa can be called the main reasons for exploring it, and the unique Bhagwan Mahavir Reserve is a confirmation of this. It is on its territory that there is a magnificent waterfall that evokes a feeling of admiration. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is 240 square kilometers of nature untouched by civilization. To see all the riches of the reserve, you will have to take a jeep in the forestry of the park.
Especially popular is a small gorge with a depth of 50 meters. The most beautiful corner, formed under the influence of the flow of the Khandepar River, attracts the eye with stone banks and a small but powerful Arvalam waterfall, the noise of which is heard for several kilometers.
There is also an ancient temple of Sri Mahadev. Made of basalt, it attracts the eyes of amazed visitors admiring the carved bas-relief. Due to its remote location, Shri Mahadev Temple has been preserved in excellent condition. Inside the temple is decorated with images of elephants and flowers. This is the only example of stone architecture of the Kadamba-Yadava dynasty, which India is rightfully proud of.
North Goa (the sights confirm this) is a unique corner full of vivid impressions and possessing a magical aura.
Old Goa
Once Goa was a Portuguese colony, which could not but affect its architectural appearance. Old Goa, which was called the "pearl of India", is located a few kilometers from Panaji. The city captured by the Portuguese was very similar to Lisbon, and in its size it resembled the major cities of Europe. In the 17th century, an epidemic of cholera began, which claimed the lives of more than 150 thousand people, and the conquerors were forced to leave their administrative center. The abandoned city was mostly inhabited by priests and nuns, and now the number of local residents does not exceed five thousand people.
Here are the main religious attractions of North Goa. Excursions to Old Goa will allow you to see how the colonizers lived and what impact they had on the culture of India.
What to see in the religious center?
The Catholic Basilica of Jesus the Merciful, made of dark laterite, is a marvelous example of the baroque style in India. Inside the Basilica of Bom Jesus, under a glass dome, lie the relics of St. Francis Xavier, who is considered the patron saint of Goa. They are exhibited only on major religious holidays.
The CE Cathedral is the largest church not only in India, but throughout Asia. The religious building is recognized as the most revered religious monument. The majestic cathedral dedicated to St. Catherine appeared in the 16th century. Se Cathedral is famous for its chapel, which houses an ever-growing cross that fulfills the wishes of parishioners and tourists who come to North Goa.
Sights made the appearance of Old Goa unique in the eyes of vacationers, and an example of this is the domed church of St. Caetana - a real copy of St. Paul's Cathedral, which is located in Rome. The Catholic church is really impressive: a combination of baroque and rococo, basalt gates, carved altars, a pediment with niches where statues of saints are installed, made the religious monument one of the most popular tourist destinations. A majestic view of the interior of the Church of St Cajetan is given by the main dome, through the windows of which bright light penetrates inside.
Gothic temple ruins
The ruins of the temple of St. Augustine are of genuine interest to tourists and archaeologists who find important artifacts. Once there was a Gothic Church Of Saint Augustine, but after the ban of the Augustinian order, it was destroyed by the Portuguese. All that is now left of its former grandeur is the ruins of a bell tower about 40 meters high and several walls. The atmospheric UNESCO-protected site is adored by foreign travelers, who admit that the remains of a religious monument make the imagination work.
Some temples operate to this day, others have turned into state museums, which North Goa is famous for. You can visit the sights on your own, but it is better to take a guide who will tell you in detail about the history of religious monuments. Many tourists speak with great enthusiasm about the bewitching special atmosphere of Old Goa.
Sights and neighborhoods in North Goa
As the locals say, there is one corner within North Goa that is definitely worth a visit. In the state of Karnataka, there is a world-famous settlement, which is an architectural complex consisting of monuments from the era of the great Vijayanagar Empire. Hampi has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1987. Here, every stone speaks the language of beauty. The Holy Land makes an indelible impression on all those who are interested in history and appreciate the unique architectural masterpieces.
The most majestic temple of Vittala (Vittala temple), which has existed since the 16th century, was not completed, but this did not make it less beautiful. It is curious that when tapped, his mini-columns emit amazing melodies. The decoration of the building, which is dedicated to Vishnu, amazes with its unique beauty. .
The wall bas-reliefs of the Hazara Rama temple tell about the events of the Ramayana. Pictures of that time come to life on them: proud riders march on elephants, dancers bend in passionate merrily prance, and soldiers prepare for new battles. Thousands of images adorn the walls of a Hindu building
The unusual temple of Virupaksha, which has grown from a small building into a whole complex, is the hallmark of Hampi. Virupaksha temple is an important religious center. Twice a year, great festivals are held in it, glorifying Shiva, and pilgrims from all over India travel great distances to participate in them.
According to tourists, even a few days are not enough to get acquainted with all the monuments of Hampi, so it is best to come here for a week, and then you can fully enjoy the fantastically beautiful landscape and man-made wonders of the ghost town.
Fort Aguada
North Goa, whose attractions are not limited to natural and religious monuments, has an eventful history. Not far from Candolim is the ancient fort of Aguada, built by the Portuguese. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see it inside, but you can admire it from the outside for free. The well-preserved Aguada fort, whose walls break right into the sea, is recognized as a historical treasure. Now its underground part is used as a prison for foreign tourists who sold drugs.
redi fort
Another fortification is located on the border of the two states of Maharashtra and Goa. Redi fort, the exact date of construction of which no one knows, is completely overgrown with jungle. It seems to tourists that Redi fort, permeated through with green plants, is a single organism with them. Creepers, creeping along the historical monument, are intertwined in the most bizarre patterns.
The walls destroyed in the battles are overgrown with bright tropical flowers, and the dug moat next to the fort is no longer visible because of the tall grass. Guests of the magical place express the opinion that this is one of the most peaceful corners of the part of the state called North Goa. Sights, photos of which make you want to get there as soon as possible, are a great way to get to know the ancient heritage of the main resort of India.
Popular resort
The resort, whose beaches are literally occupied by tourists, is gaining more and more popularity every year. People with different incomes come to have a great rest and see with their own eyes the man-made and natural monuments that made North Goa famous all over the world. Attractions (and reviews of the fabulous corner only confirm their significance) allow you to touch the ancient history of the state and feel the greatness of mother nature.