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.
Steeped in a unique history and a rich culture, Goa has 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.
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.
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Since
the arrival of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been a
major destination on the itinerary of international and domestic
tourists.
Internationally renowned for its beaches, Goa is visited by
hundreds of thousands of foreign and domestic tourists each
year, and has become one of the most popular holiday destinations
for European travellers, particularly in the Northern hemisphere
winter.
Besides beaches, Goa is also known for its world heritage
architecture including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, also one
of the biggest Christian pilgrimage sites in Asia. Goa also
has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western
Ghats range, which are classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
There are several reasons why tourists are visiting Goa in
increasing numbers. First, because of the historical development
of the area, the inhabitants of Goa are increasingly used
to contact with foreigners. Additionally, a large portion
(approx 35%) of the Goan people is Catholic. This cultural
heritage from the time of the Portuguese colonization makes
the state somewhat more intimate to European or American people
than the rest of the Indian subcontinent. Goan culture incorporates
a very non-problematic mix of Christianity, Hinduism, and
Islam.
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