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Goa has
five major cities and each one unique in a special way.
Panjim or Panjim, the capital of Goa has the distinction
of being Goa's capital right since Portuguese rule after
they shifted it from Old Goa. Ponda, the city of temples.
Almost all temples of Goa are located in the vicinity
of this city. Mapusa is a small town clustered around
the mount (alto). The port city of Vasco-da-Gama, popularly
known as Vasco, is Goa's most cosmopolitan city. Its named
after the Portuguese sailor Vasco-da-Gama. The capital
of Salcette Province, Margao is the main population centre
of southern Goa.
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| Panjim,
the capital city of Goa, still popularly known as the
seat of the Government, and also houses the head offices
of most business concerns. Panjim is one of India's
smallest and quaintest state capitals. Located on the
south bank of the wide Mandovi River, it became the
capital of Goa in 1843, though the Portuguese Viceroys
had shifted their residence from the outskirts of Old
Goa to the former palace of Adil Shah at Panjim as early
as 1759. |
| The town has preserved its
Portuguese heritage remarkably well and parts of it
still consist of narrow winding streets, old houses
with over hanging balconies, red-tiled roofs and numerous
small bars and cafe's. |
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| The port town of Vasco-da-Gama, popularly
known as Vasco, is Goa's most cosmopolitan city. 30
km's from Panjim, this well laid out city is also the
railway terminus for passenger service. The Mormugao
Harbour, one of India's few natural Harbour is 4kms
from Vasco at one end. And Goa's only airport, Dabolim
is also 4kms from Vasco, at the other end. |
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| The capital of Salcete Province, Margao
is the main population centre of southern Goa and a
pleasant provincial town, which still displays many
reminders of its Portuguese past. In itself it's not
of great interest to travelers, though the old Margao
church is worth a visit and the covered market is the
best of its kind in the whole of Goa. Its importance
is as a service and transport centre for people staying
at Colva Beach. |
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Ponda, known as Antruz
Mahal because of the concentration of culture, music,
drama and poetry also houses the most well known Goan
temples of Lord Mangesh (Shiva), Lord Nagesh, Lord
Ganapati, Lord Ramnath and the Goddesses Mahalasa
and Shantadurga.
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| Mapusa is a small town clustered around
the mount (alto). With an even blend of residential
and commercial establishments, it forms the hub of north
Goa. 13 km's from Panjim, a sharing taxi or a bus will
take you there. Known popularly for its Friday market,
people from all over Goa come here to buy and sell their
wares. On this particular day, apart from other regular
items, you will also get plants and saplings, ready
spiced Goan pork sausages, dried fish and prawns, clothing,
junk jewellery and the famous country liquor - all sold
at the most reasonable prices you could possibly find.
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