Sightseeing in Goa

 

Dudhsagar Falls : Highest Water Fall India

On the border of Karnataka and Goa, the Dudhsagar Falls drop to a spectacular 600m. Believed to be amongst the highest falls in the country, these magnificent falls are located in a blissful tropical jungle with crisscrossing streams, making it an ideal destination for travel vacation in Goa. The falls drop down to form a few pools, which are absolutely delightful for a swim. Take care to ensure that the pool you go into is relatively calm. The sure-footed adventurers could try and climb up to the head of the falls through bushes, boulders and water. It's a tough climb which takes at least a couple of hours, but the mind-blowing view from the top is well worth the effort.

To Get There:
Getting there is simple enough. Take a train to the quaint Dudhsagar railway station, and then walk on the path that takes you to the viewing point of the falls overlooking the nicest pool made by them. Guides are easily available.

Margao - A Tourist Paradise

Margao is Goa's second largest town and a bustling commercial centre. Frequented by travellers, this central Goan town has an old-worldly charm about it because of its old Portuguese churches, and fine country houses decked with dark rosewood furniture. The imposing Church of the Holy Spirit is worth a visit. The monument contains some impressive pillars, beautiful carvings of the Apostles, and some noteworthy statues, that makes it a worth visiting site on your Goa tour in India.The covered Old Market with its colourful atmosphere and life should not to be missed. Some interesting old villas on Abade Fariar Road, like the De Silva House and the Seven Shoulders, are open to visitors. This prosperous city is now linked with the rest of the country by the Konkan railways.

Marmagoa Vacations

Close to the important industrial town of Vasco da Gama lies the main port of Goa, in Marmagoa. The town has some industries and not very much else besides the highly dilapidated ruins of a fort, and an ironic history, which classifies it as 'the town that never was'. Well, leaving the dramatics aside, Marmagoa was the site that was first chosen to be the capital of the Portuguese Empire. This is why, in 1685, the construction of the fort started along with the founding of a township. The Viceroy even moved to Marmagoa in 1703, but the Maratha warriors (term used for Shivaji and other Hindus originating from Maharashtra, who fought against foreign rulers) attacked the site repeatedly, and Old Goa was made the capital instead. Thus Marmagoa is more or less the Fatehpur Sikri of Goa. But with the harbour starts lore. One can take a brake in Marmagoa and spend part of the Goa vacations to enjoy the port activities, the port is one of India's finest natural harbours. If you have it in you to extricate yourself from the beaches, a sunset walk around the harbour can be a pleasant change.

Tambdi Surla

Situated in west Goa, the Mahadeva Temple in Tambdi Surla, is the state's only prominent reminder of the pre-Portuguese temple architecture. Maintained by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India), this 12th century temple boasts of some fine reliefs on the shikhara (spire) depicting a plethora of gods and goddesses. Do not miss the impressive carved wall near the entrance, and the chiselled monolith pillars on your travel vacations in Marmagoa.

Old Goa- The Erstwhile capital of the Portuguese

Viceroy's Arch Old GaoOld Goa, the erstwhile capital of the Portuguese, that rivalled Lisbon in the 16th century, is now but a dilapidated old village. But this old town is definitely a must see. The town is almost an archeological museum with its spectacular cathedrals (including Se Cathedral which is said to be the biggest church in Asia) and various other monuments. Some buildings are rather dilapidated while others are being maintained by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India).