A place to return

There is something about this place that speaks about perpetual leisure, quintessential vacation and boundless freedom. The time itself seems to have fallen into a slumber here. The golden beaches, the swaying palms, the sound of the rushing waves, the coastline dotted with bamboo shacks and colorful umbrellas, the water foaming at my feet, the old churches and the Portuguese architecture… are a few things that flood my mind when I think about Goa.

My first trip to Goa was during the Christmas break of 2007. The monsoons had revived the foliage into a lush green, and every patch of unused land was covered in moss. A mood of festivity prevailed during the Christmas week. Local markets were filled with special foods and Christmas decorations. The sound of the pealing church bells and carols filled the air. Houses were decorated with glowing star and little Christmas trees. People dressed in the best of their attire for the mid-night mass was the scene far and wide. All in all, the view was thoroughly elating.

The Beach Paradise

This former Portuguese enclave has been one of India’s most popular tourist spots. The major reason being, its varied beaches each of which is distinct and unique in its own way. The coconut tree-fringed Calangute beach is known for its steeply descending sands. It is amongst the most visited beaches in Goa. The Baga beach attracts tourists from all over with its contrasting scenery. The rocky headland with a river flowing into the sea is a terrific sight. Across the hilltop from Baga is the secluded Anjuna beach. The Wednesday flea market that operates in the shade of palm trees behind the beach is its most notable feature. The Candolim beach, the southern tip of Calangute beach, extends into rocky cliffs above which stands the Aguada fort that houses the oldest lighthouse in Asia. The majestic lighthouse offers a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea. The fort was built by the Portuguese in 1612 as a protection from the Dutch.

Situated in the South of Goa, is the relatively quieter Benaulim beach, marked by its fishing and rice-farming village with coconut groves and paddy fields. Palolem beach is the prettiest beach in Goa. Its crescent shaped coast is edged by an outcrop of dark rock and boulders on both sides and the arching coconut trees mark its perimeter. On most beaches, travelers indulge themselves in a glass of feni and beer, engage in shopping on the beachside, or have midnight bonfire. All this and the beauty of Goa’s unending seascape surely makes it a fairytale land for the travelers.

Mystifyingly colossal Churches

The Portuguese heritage is noticeable in most of Goa’s church architecture. The colossal structures are simply overpowering. The Church Square in Panaji houses the prominent landmark, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, which dates back to 1541. The Se Cathedral is the largest church in Goa and built in Portuguese-Gothic style. It dates back to 1562. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, another most popular site, displays the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier preserved in a silver casket. The construction of the Church was completed in 1605. Other churches of interest in Old Goa include The Church of St Cajetan, the ruins of the Church of St. Augustine, the Church and Convent of St. Monica. Without exception, each of these churches leaves the onlooker in awe and veneration. Their high-ceilings, the engraved walls, the ornate tapestry and paintings will remain etched in everyone’s mind, as it has in mine.

To my heart’s content

In Goa, I always feel at home, so welcome and grateful. Here, there is an unmistakable feel of acceptance that exudes from the people who have accepted, as a part of their lives, the diverse cultures and traditions that came with the Dutch, English, French and Portuguese rule. Despite its diverse historical backdrop, its present is so intriguingly progressive that it embraces any culture while retaining its own unique self.

I visited Goa thrice over the last three years, and yet, I don’t seem to have experienced it well enough. It always has something new to offer, and always something better than the previous experience. Goa is just a destination that can be enjoyed no matter who you are or where you are from. I return to Goa every time to experience to my heart’s content: the brilliance of the hundred colors formed by the sun before it sets into the horizon; the timelessness that comes with watching the moon-lit sea and star-strewn sky; the rhythm of the waves as they crash; the whisper of the wind as it ruffles my hair.

I return to Goa because here, it feels as though my mind is finally at rest and my heart at peace.