Goa Culutre
 
 

The origin of Goa. In the later Vedic period (c.1000-500 BC), when the Hindu epic Mahabharat was written, Goa has been referred to with the Sanskrit name Gomantak, a word with many meanings, but suggestive of generally a fertile land. The people of Goa are very gracious and tremendously happy-go-lucky.

They are fond of the good things in life and are certainly not caught up in the rat race. Though the people of Goa are of different faiths and from different cultural backgrounds, they have come together to create the easygoing Goan culture with its emphasis on good living.

Goa Churches

The Church of St Cajetan has a façade decorated with lonic, Doric and Corinthian pilasters. The Se' Cathedral with its Tuscan exterior, Corinthian columns, raised platform with steps leading to the entrance and barrel -vault is yet another example of Renaissance architecture. The paintings in the church are executed on wooden borders and fixed between panels with floral designs.

Except for a few statues which are in stone, most of the other statues of the saints, Mother Mary and Jesus are mostly first carved in wood and then painted to adorn the altars. Name of the Church:-

Se Cathedral Church.
Ruins of Church of St. Augustine.
The Church of St. Anne at Talaulim.
Ilhas.Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Reis Magos Church.
St. Cajetan Church.
Church of St. Francis of Assissi.
Church of St Paul.
Church of Mary Immaculate Conception.
 
 
Goa Temples
 
 
The temples of Goa are in essence like most Hindu temples in India, based around a deity, which is worshipped. The architecture of Goan temples is a little unlike typically because of historical reasons.Every temple in Goa has its individual days known as the "Zatra". This is based on auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. People come by the thousands to offer prayers or "Darshana".

Some Zatras are a special draw because of some special acts performed as a part of the ceremonies-the most famous being the "Dhond's" ceremony of fire-walking or walking barefoot over burning coal at the annual Shirgaon Zatra ; something worth seeing to be believed. The first temple to be approved for construction by the Portuguese in their 300+ years of control was the Mahalaxmi temple in Panaji, approved in 1818 after bitter opposition .

   
Temples Name:
  
   
 
» Shri Bhagavati » Rudreshwar Temple at Harvalem » Shri Mahadeo Bhumika at Sal, Bicholim » Morjaee Temple at Morjim » Shri Bhagavati Temple at Parshem » Brahma Temple » Shri Chandranath » Shri Damodar Temple» Shri Datta Mandir » Shri Devkikrishna-Ravalnath » Shri Gomanteshwar Devasthan Brahmapur » Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple» Shri Kalikadevi Temple» Shri Kamakshi Saunsthan Shiroda » Temple of Shri Mahadev at Tambdi Suria » Shri Mahalaxmi Temple» Shri Mahalsa Temple » Shri Mallikarjun Temple» Shri Manguesh Temple» Shri Naguesh Temple» Shri Navdurga Saunsthan Temple» Shri Navdurga at Madkai Temple» Shri Ramnath Temple» Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple» Sapteshwar-Bhagvati temple at Mandrem » Shri Shantadurga(Kavlem) Temple» Shri Shantadurga(Pemem) Temple» Shri Shantadurga (Kunkolienkarin) Temple» Shri Vitthal Mandir » Shri Devi Sharvani Temple» Shri Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevolam Math » Shri Saunsthan Gondpaddchaiya Kavie Math » Topobhoomi .
 
   
Goa Mosques
  
   
 

Jama Masjid Goa:
(26 kms. from Margao at Sanguem)
Built in the last century, the Jama Masjid was completely renovated in 1959. The new structure is remarkable for its harmonious proportions and elegant simplicity. A dome shaped kiosk rises in the centre of the minarets. Festivals are celebrated here with due solemnity by the rejoicing devotees.
It has four minarets whilst the entrance facade is flanked .

Safa Masjid at Ponda, Goa:
The Shahouri masjid, the biggest and most famous of the 27 mosques in Ponda taluka was built in 1560 by Ibrahim Adilshan of Bijapur. Adjacent to the Mosque is a well-constructed masonry tank with small chambers with 'meharab' designs. The two major festivals Id-Ul-Fitr and Id-Ul-Zuha are celebrated at this mosque with great pomp and are attended by a large number of people. The mosque and the tank were formerly surrounded by an extensive garden with many fountains. They were destroyed during the Portuguese rule.

 
 
 
   
Festivals
  
   
 
Quite a lot of the Goan festivals are actually (feasts of the local or family divinity celebrated at the temple of the God or Goddess called Devasthan. It is a festive and colorful occasions in the temple multifaceted with thousands of devotees taking part in the celebrations and the palakhi procession. A Goan is said to be born with music in his blood and music accurately accompanies him from the crib to the grave. Goan folk music has a lively rhythm and the folk-dances a rugged vitality. Freedom brought about a cultural new start in Goa along with as long as a fresh momentum to the classic text and very well arts and a renewal of the folk arts. Holi in Goa is celebrated as Shigmotsav, which is a festival of farewell to winter and welcome to spring celebrated with colour, songs and dances to the beat of drums. Float parades depicting various scenes of mythology are also held .
 
 
 

The Carnival is Goa's biggest festival spreads across 3 days just before the 40-day period of Lent begins. It is a toned down version of what you'd expect in places like Rio and Spain,but is quite spectacular nonetheless.It start with a colourful street parade: ornate floats , marching bands and a huge variety of dancers.The Exposition attracts Catholic people from all over the world.

  
 
   
Home | Area Attraction | Culutre | Add Your Link | SigthSeeing
  
   
© Copyright 2007 The Santamarias.com All rights reserved.