In 1312, Goa fell into the hands of the Muslims when Harihara of the Vijayanagar Empire evacuated the coastal area.

The Muslim rule ended when the Portuguese took over in 1510. During the Napoleonic wars, Britishers had a brief occupation of Goa otherwise the Portuguese were masters of Goa till 1961 when they were finally driven out.

Goa's 450 years under Portuguese domination produced a unique and perfect blend of East and West.

Primee Sites :

• Panaji :
  The capital of Goa was only a small fishing village four centuries ago. It is still a midget town, but one of the most beautiful in India and the capital of Goa. Rising on the wooded terraces of the Altinho Hill, the town slopes down to Mandovi river on one side to the Arabian Sea on the other. Panaji's Portuguese heritage can be seen in its narrow winding streets, old houses with over hanging balconies, red-tiled roofs and numerous small bars and cafe's. The best way to experience the place is to take a walk.

• Mapusa :
  13kms from Panaji, Mapusa is a small town forming the hub of north Goa. It has an even blend of residential and commercial establishments and gardens. People from all over Goa come here to buy and sell their wares in the famous Friday market. 14 km from Mapusa is the Kansarpal-Kalbadevi temple, believed to be about 800 years old.

• Margao (Madgaon) :
  is the second largest city in Goa and a commercial metropolis. A pleasant provincial town with throwbacks to its Portuguese past, it has a series of beaches in an 18 km stretch of silvery sand: Palolean, Betul and Colva. Other interesting places around Margao are Chandreshwar Bhutnath temple and the Rachol Seminary and church which dates back to the early 16th century.

• Chandor :
  13 km east of Margao across the fertile rice fields of Salcete lies sleepy Chandor village, a scattering of tumbledown villas and farmhouses ranged along shady tree-lined lanes. The splendid Perreira-Braganza/Menezes-Braganza house, regarded as the grandest of Goa's colonial mansions is the prime attraction. Dominating the dusty village square, the house, built in the 1500s by the wealthy Braganza family for their two sons, has a huge double-storeyed facade, with 28 windows flanking its entrance.

• Vasco-Da-Gama :
  This spick and span coastal town popularly known as Vasco was originally called Sambhaji. Imposing multi-storeyed buildings and a church dominate nate the city centre here. This well laid out city is also the railway terminus for passenger service. Goa's only airport, Dabolim is also 4km from Vasco, at the other end.

• Ponda :
  is also called Antruz Mahal because of the concentration of culture, music, drama and poetry. This town also has many temples - Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple, Mahalakshmi temple, Shri Nagesh temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shri Mangesh temple and the Safe Shahouri Masjid.

• Old Goa :
  is the state's showpiece and the only remnant of the massive and overpow- ering Portuguese presence which established its capital on the southern bank of the Mandovi river. In its heyday, the 1500s, it was the largest and most flourishing of the great Asian cities and called `Goa Dourada', golden Goa. The monuments and cathedrals today represent just a fraction of the urban development that was Old Goa.

• Chapora & Bagator :
  This is one of the most interesting parts of Goa's coastline, and more attractive than Anjuna for either a short or a long stay. Much of the area nestles under a canopy of dense coconut palms, and Chapora village is more reminiscent of a charmingly unruly farmyard than a beach resort. The village is dominated by a rocky hill topped by the remains of a fairly well-preserved Portuguese fort and the estuary of the Chapora River. There are sandy coves, pleasant beaches and rocky cliffs at nearby Vagator.

• Dudhsagar Waterfalls :
  Falling from a majestic height of 600m, the famous waterfalls at Dudhsagar, on the Goa-Karnataka border, draws steady stream of visitors. The Konkani name for the falls, which literally translated means "sea of milk", is due to the clouds of foam kicked up at the bottom when the water levels are at their highest. Overlooking a steep, crescent-shaped head of a valley carpeted with pristine tropical forest, Dudhsagar is also set amid breathtaking scenery that is only accessible on foot or by train (the line actually passes over the falls on an old stone viaduct).

• Arvalem Waterfall :
  Situated in Sanquelim, it falls from an height of about 50 metres in a straight drop. Its glory is seen during monsoon when its fall turns to giant rush of water, cascading down from the mountains behind it. Nearby is the temple of Sri Rudreshwar and 5th century rock cut caves.

• Sanctuary :
  
  1. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary :
     Situated at a distance of 55 km from Panaji, the Bondla wildlife sanctuary is an ideal jungle resort complete with mini zoos, botanical gardens and a deer park.

  2. Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary :
     Also known as the Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary, it is situated along the north-east border of Goa. This sanctuary is a nature lover's delight.

  3. Cotigao :
     It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Goa and is about 60 km from Panaji. Bison, Sambar, Cheetal, Porcupines, Wild-Boars and Bonnet Monkeys are found in this sanctuary. There is a guesthouse opposite the famous Parshuram Temple.

  4. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary :
     This sanctuary is located on the Chorao islands near Panaji and is fully covered with mangroves. Various local and migratory birds frequently visit this sanctuary. An ideal spot for nature lovers.

• Lake :
  
  1. Carambolin Lake :
     Just east of Old Goa, Carambolin Lake is lily-covered and has an enormous amount of waterfowl, many egrets and heron, bronze-winged and pheasant-tailed Jacana and thousands of exotic species such as Comb Duck and Cotton Pygmy-goose. Close to Carambolim is the Ciba-Geigy Chemical-Works which has created a pleasant nature reserve. Here you may sight Open-billed storks, Purple and Grey Heron, Little Cormorant and Marsh Harriers.
  2. Mayem Lake :
     Surrounded amidst rolling green hills the environs around the lake are an ideal place tio set up camp and picnic spot. Good accommodation facilities are available in cottages. Boating facilities are available on the lake.

How To Get There

• By Air :
  Goa's airport is Dabolim. The city is connected with Bombay, Bangalore, Cochin, Delhi, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram and all the major cities of India by Indian Airlines flights and by private airlines

• By Rail :
  Goa is connected with Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Mysore, Pune, Hyderabad with the new Konkan Railway which has started operations recently.

• By Road :
  Goa is connected by a good motorable road with Bombay, Bangalore, Mangalore, Pune. Many private A/C and non A/C luxury and ordinary buses operate from all the above places. The National Highways linking Goa are NH-4A, NH-17 and Nh-17A.

• By Sea :
  Catamaran service is available between Bombay and Panaji from October to April. Panjim is a 7-hour ride from Bombay's Ferry Wharf.