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Weaver: Special Edition dedicated to ASPAM

A Getaway

Paradise

By Mehar Malhotra, ASPAM

An amazing and fascinating blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, blessed
with sea, sun, sand, seafood and spirituality, Goa is India’s incredible pocket sized
paradise. Popularly known as the Pearl of the Orient, Goa is located in India’s
western coastal belt called the Konkan Coast. Being a coastal state, Goa is blessed
with more than 50 picturesque and stunning beaches which attract tourists from
not only India, but also tourists of foreign background

A former Portuguese colony, mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier,
Goa is known for its relaxed, laid one of the patron saints of Goa.
back and content lifestyle, or as many Another must see church is the Se
call it, susegad. Goa is visibly Cathedral church which is one of the
different from other Indian states largest churches in Asia and took
owing to Portuguese rule which around 80 years to build.
isolated it from rest of the India for As Goa also has a large
over four hundred years. This also number of Hindu population, there
influenced Goa’s culture, which is a are also many must see temples. For
mix of Hindu and Portuguese example, Shree Manguesh
traditions and the population which is Shantadurgai Prasanna temple, which
mostly Hindu and Roman Catholics. is located at Mangeshi in Priol, Ponda
The design of province is a Taluka, 22 km from Panaji (capital of
combination of Indian, Islamic and Goa). The temple is devoted to the
Portuguese styles. Since the spiritual being of Lord Shiva. It is
Portuguese ruled Goa for more than famous for its pristine glory and
four centuries, many churches and attracts hundreds and thousands of
houses bear a great resemblance to visitors every year. A huge fair is also
the Portuguese style of architecture. held here on the occasion of
One such church is the Bom Jesus MahaShivratri Festival every year.
Basilica, built in 1605, which has the

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