Goa Cuisine – The Spice Of Life

Goa, the city of dance, culture, and history provides its tourists with the experience of a lifetime. Along with its scenic and beautiful spots, the cuisine of Goa adds spice and life to your visit. The cuisine of Goa reflects the Portuguese as well as Hindu and Muslim culture that prevailed in the city. 

Some of the famous Goa cuisines include:

Sea Food- Seafood is the specialty of Goa as it is on the coastal region. Some of the famous curries, fries, soups, and salads are made up different variety of seafood which include Kingfish, tuna, lobster, mussels, crabs, prawns, tiger prawns, shark fins, pomfret, etc. Dried and salted fish dishes are also an important aspect of Goan seafood.  

Hindu Cuisine- Comparatively, the Hindu food we find in Goa is less spicy with minimal or no use of onions and garlic. Some of the famous Hindu cuisines include fish curry, kismur, fried fish, fish cutlets, kalputi, tondak, fish udid methi, and solachi kadi. 

Catholic Cuisine- The Catholic cuisine of Goa mainly consists of non-vegetarian food. Some of the famous dishes of this cuisine include vindaloo, Goan prawn curry, ambot tik, arroz doce, canja de galinha, and chamucas.

Famous Sweets of Goan Cuisine- Any type of Indian food is incomplete without sweets. Goan cuisine also offers some of the delicious sweet dishes like cashewnut laddus, khaje, nevryo, sakhar bhat, payada, bebinka, and revdyo. 

The various cuisines found in Goa are mainly influenced from Hinduism and Christianity. The unique cooking style of Goan cuisine makes it unique and different from all other cuisines of the country.

Quepem – Must See Place

The Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama discovered Goa, and his countrymen made it their home for the next 400 years. Even today many of the oldest families in Goa have relations in both the countries. Thus every town or city in Goa has a story or anecdote that goes on to define the existence of Goa.

The story of Quepem can be called one that has the qualities of romance, adventure and foresight. José Paulo, a native of Braga in Portugal, left home at the early age of 19 in the year of 1779. He was one of the youngest members of an entourage of a Bishop who were traveling by ship and their destination was Goa. The next 55 years of his life was spent in Goa where he later died. He is also known as one of the founders of Quepem.

The ‘Palácio Do Deão’ was later built by a priest named Almeida, when he moved from old Goa to Quepem which was a jungle, there he built the first hamlet, encouraged planting of Coconut trees and started rice farming. Over the years the Palace has seen many owners, but its historical and architectural significance hasn’t been lost and is one of the must see places in Quepem.

Quepem is also home to the Shri Chandranath Temple, situated on top of 350 meters Chandranath Hill. One has to climb huge granite steps to reach the temple on the Hill. Long before the arrival of the Portuguese, Goa was ruled by the Bhoja kings and Lord Chandreshwar or Bhuthnath was the presiding deity of the kingdom. The Temple at Quepem has a Shiv lingam carved out of a rock. The biggest attraction of the Chandranath Temple is that on every full moon day, as the moonlight touches the lingam, water starts flowing from it. The temple is built in a manner that the lingam receives moon light on every full moon day. 

Holiday accommodation in Quepem attracts nature lovers to have an experience in living villas & rental apartments surrounded by incredible beaches, lovely peaceful lakes, waterfalls. Bird & wild life century is just few miles away.

Velha Goa – The Prestigous City

A trip to Goa was a lifetime dream for me and so I have made proper plans and arrangement starting from days before I set out for the trip. When I arranged the trip, Velha Goa was first in the list, for I knew the place has enough and more with it to make my trip memorable.

When I reached the place after a long waiting, I was amazed at the wonderful beauty of the place with beautiful churches. The place filled with majestic buildings fits the status of the city, once under Portuguese colonization. In fact, you will realize that Velha Goa is the best place, never to be missed in a visit to Goa.

I was amazed to enjoy the flourished beauty of Velha Goa, inspired from the trading conducted there. The city has the wealth and beauty flown from the rest of the world too. When I was in Velha Goa, I was so surprised that, I didn’t know which place really caught my attention. The Arch of the Viceroys was really a magnificent place. The architectural beauty of Velha Goa brought the memories of Portuguese colonization in the land. Everywhere you can see the Portuguese feel still existing.

The Se Cathedral and the St. Cajetan’s are only some of the buildings retaining that old heritage and tradition with them. The Archeological museum maintains the memories without losing its freshness. After this, we had a visit to the Portrait Gallery which functioned in the abandoned convent. Everywhere in Velha Goa, you can see crowd of tourists and pilgrims from around the world.  Velha Goa has everything to receive their appreciation.

In the afternoon, I entered a restaurant in Velha Goa and to my surprise; there was a variety of cuisine available. The budget friendly food was so tasty and enjoyable and I really enjoyed the afternoon food.

View Goa From Pilar

On my first visit to Goa, I have been into so much tension and anxieties and was even afraid that I would not be able to make the maximum benefit out of this trip. Soon after my landing in this beautiful city, I have planned my trip accordingly and had even kept a day aside for my visit to Pilar.
 
I had received great comments from previous visitors and I have made a strong intension not to miss this village in Goa at any cost. You will surely love the Pilar, starting from your journey to the village, with narrow winding of the roads that thread to the uphill from the planes below. The hill top scenery of Pilar was mind blowing and was capable enough of filling us with peace. The panoramic view of the great Arabian Sea was outstanding with the village surrounded by mountains. The land has become a pilgrim centre with the visitors coming to venerate the bones of the priest Fr.Angelo.

My travel experience from Pilar was quite different since all my friends have given an opinion, that the place is full of churches and seminaries and it is in fact a pilgrim center. The view from hill top is the most magnificent when you get a proper glance of Mormugao Harbor and the beautiful Zuari River. In the history, Pilar was surrounded by great cities and ports where ships come for a bustling trade. Even now, you can see the gently beauty of Goa with palm and paddy landscapes. The low hillsides and the water ways add chillness to your eyes as you stand on the top of Pilar hills. When the sea catches your attention on one side, you could see the charming beauty of white churches on the other side.  It will never be an exaggeration if I say, Pilar gives you the whole Goan beauty, standing and looking around from the hill top.

Goa Spice Plantation – In And Around Ponda

Not many who come to Goa know that amidst the stunning coastline, thousands of coconut trees and forest also lays plantations that clearly making it presence, only it might be a bit spicy for your taste. Before you begin adding up, let me clarify that I am taking about the lesser known, but growing in popularity Goa spice plantations.

Incidentally all the spice plantations are situated in and around Ponda, which is away from the main tourist attractions of Goa. Thus it is ideal for non-tourists areas of development like industry or spice plantations. Nestled in the fertile Western Ghats and away from the more saline coastal areas, it is soon developing into a tourist spot with a difference.

The Goa Spice plantations are home to the exotic spices and fruits that is unique to only a few places in the world. You can have your own spice guide, who can rattle away so many names and all the possible details about the spices that you are bound to feel a bit overwhelmed.

Spices like Black pepper, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cloves, Chillies, Coriander, Cashew, Betel nut palm are the major spices grown in the goa spice plantations. One can view the locals who climb the betel nut palm with relative ease and then swing the hollow palm to move to another tree. Also you are bound to taste the local drink the stronger feni or the milder variant urrack made out of the cashew fruit straight from the small distillery.

The Goa spice plantations also are famous for a variety of tropical fruits like Custard apples, Papaya, Bananas, Pineapples, Citrus fruits. Most spice plantation also grows a very rare spice like vanilla. One spice plantation grows a range of medicinal herbs on the high altitudes of the mountains.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls – Among The Highest Falls In The World

Dudh in the local dialect mean Milk, and sagar means the sea, so the name Dudhsagar or milky sea or also sea of milk, is according to me a very unlikely name for a water fall. On enquiring I was told that the fall which originates from the Mandovi River, rushes down a near vertical cliff forming a milky stream as it falls. At 600 meters, Dudhsagar falls also happens to be amongst the highest falls in the world and is in the top ten in India.

Dudhsagar fall lies in the south of Goa, at a distance of sixty kilometers from Margoa on the Goa-Karnataka border in Sanguem district. The crescent shaped head of the valley where the fall begins is a sight to be looked at, and all the trains passing through that area do slow down or halt for a few minutes to allow the travelers to enjoy the view.

The route to Dudhsagar falls is through tropical forest, crisscrossed with streams and rivulets all across the way. For trekkers and hikers it is paradise, with very little traffic and a right kind of environment the experience can be exhilarating. The next best thing is to have your own 4 wheeler to reach the falls. All those who wouldn’t want to take walk or have a vehicle can always avail themselves of the trains that run to and fro from margoa, or use the services of the jeeps that are available locally. 

The pool that forms at the bottom, when the waters empty themselves is idyllic for a great swim.There have been many legends associated with Dudhsagar falls, all paying tribute to the grandeur and celebrating its uniqueness. Dudhsagar falls has got what it takes to build legends, both visually and spiritually one can feel blessed in its surrounding.

Goa Parties – Go On And Go On

Now this is interesting and I have to share it with you. When it comes to parties, there are parties and then there are parties. Now Goa, for one thing certainly offers both kinds. You could be sitting and partying by the Cida de Goa poolside or simply letting your hair down by the beach. The reason why Goa parties are popular, not just by locals and Indians, but also foreign nationals is because they aren’t strict tie and suit affairs. Of course there are plenty of private parties of that nature; it all depends on what you want to be a part of.

It’s important to know that if you thought you could make your party scene a great hippie experience, you really won’t be let on so easily. With police scenes tightening, these are hush affairs and no one really talks about them. You may have to go very far for such a party experience or to some locale that’s not going to get busted midway or else make sure that it’s a party that’s hosted by big names. Read between the lines, be a part of a party that’s well connected and passes the bust test even though others around it get busted or else you’ll find yourself in cop trouble.

Your party experience could be one in UV lights that creates mind altering music that plays along the hallucinations of LSD or ecstasy with endless Malana hashish chillums thrown in, or a more sober drunken night at a swanky pub or cramped dance floor. Here everything isn’t about shiny disco balls; most times the balls are in your head or are they there at all. So if you’re experimenting with psychotropic drugs make sure someone knows where you are because you don’t want to be robbed, mugged, bullied, taken advantage of or find yourself in strange company once sober. The Goa parties can be as wild as you have thought them to be and as traditional elsewhere with jazz bands, Hawaiian t-shirts, flip flops, garlands, cocktails and a chirpy atmosphere. It’s your choice, go and party.

Beautiful Temples In Goa

Millions of people flock every year in Goa. Of course the main attraction is the beach. However there is much more than just beaches in Goa, the temples and churches in Goa. Tourists who are traveling to this part of the world should never miss out on the opportunity on visiting some of the best architectural temples in Goa.  

The temples in Goa have much more to tell other than its beauty. The story of its origin and the consequences it has faced during the foreign invasion. One such is the Sri Saptakoteeswara temple. The temple was built by Kadambas, however once the Portuguese invaded Goa they posed threat to the temple and finally destroyed it in the year 1641. Later in 1668 Chatrapati Shivaji ordered the reconstruction of the beautiful temple. There are many ancient temples in Goa which can be explored; you will find a number of temples that have the superior touch of class and elegance.

For many centuries now the Goa temples and churches are a great tourist attraction. Sri Devaki Krishna temple is well renowned for its two beautiful statues, of Devaki and the deity Krishna. Another must visit temple in Goa is the Sri Mahalakshmi temple, the deity is Goddess Laxmi. It is regarded as one of the main temples of Goa. Recently it underwent reconstruction. Sri Vithal temple is another important temple in Goa. The utmost important attraction of the temple is the wooden carved chariot of Arjuna a scene of Mahabharata, where lord Krishna is riding it.

Anyone who plans to visit Goa can certainly not miss out on the opportunity of visiting some of the best temples you will find in the world today. The exquisite architecture is unaffordable to miss; your trip to Goa will be more fascinating if you check out the temples in the city. 

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