GOA

CAPITAL-PANAJI

List of Chief Ministers of Goa

#	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
01	Dayanand Bandodkar	20 December 1963	02 December 1966	Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
	(President's rule)	2 December 1966	05 April 1967
02	Dayanand Bandodkar [2]	05 April 1967	12 August 1973, died in office	Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
03	Shashikala Kakodkar	12 August 1973	27 April 1979	Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
	(President's rule)	27 April 1979	16 January 1980
04	Pratapsing Rane	16 January 1980	27 March 1990	Indian National Congress(won elections as Congress-U, switched to Congress-I)
05	Churchill Alemao	27 March 1990	14 April 1990	Progressive Democratic Front
06	Dr. Luis Proto Barbosa	14 April 1990	14 December 1990	Progressive Democratic Front
	(President's rule)	14 December 1990	25 January 1991
07	Ravi S. Naik	25 January 1991	18 May 1993	Indian National Congress, after breaking away from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
08	Wilfred D'Souza	18 May 1993	02 April 1994	Indian National Congress
09	Ravi S. Naik [2]	02 April 1994	08 April 1994	Indian National Congress Governor Bhanu Prakash Singh, subsequently the latter was removed from office by New Delhi.
10	Wilfred D'Souza [2]	08 April 1994	16 December 1994	Indian National Congress
11	Pratapsing Rane [2]	16 December 1994	30 July 1998	Indian National Congress
12	Wilfred D'Souza [3]	30 July 1998	26 November 1998	Goa Rajiv Congress, breakaway group of the INC.
13	Luizinho Faleiro	26 November 1998	09 February 1999	Indian National Congress
	(President's rule)	09 February 1999	09 June 1999
14	Luizinho Faleiro [2]	09 June 1999	24 November 1999	Indian National Congress
15	Francisco Sardinha	24 November 1999	24 October 2000	Goa People's Congress, breakaway group of the INC supported by BJP
16	Manohar Parrikar	24 October 2000	02 February 2005	Bharatiya Janata Party
17	Pratapsing Rane [3]	02 February 2005	04 March 2005	Indian National Congress
	(President's rule)	04 March 2005	07 June 2005
18	Pratapsing Rane [4]	07 June 2005	08 June 2007	Indian National Congress
19	Digambar Kamat	08 June 2007	present	Indian National Congress

ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS OF GOA

Lok Sabha Members of Goa

S.NO.	CONSTITUENCY	NAME OF MEMBER	PARTY
01	Nail, Shri Shripad Yesso	Venugopal , Shri K.C.	BJP
02	Sardinha, Shri Feancisco	Biju , Shri P.K.	INC

Rajya Sabha Members of Goa

S.NO.	CONSTITUENCY	NAME OF MEMBER
Nail Shri Shantaram Laxman	Goa	INC

FOOD

DRESS

LANGUAGE

Konkani

Marathi

Hindi

OCCUPATION

The main occupation of the people of Goa is Fishing and most of the Goans are fishermen. Now-a-days many people in Goa also contribute to the tourism industry by promoting their hotels, beach resorts and giving houses for rent to the tourists in Goa. Some people also run restaurants that serve some of the best Goan cuisine.

FESTIVALS

Festivals are the vital part of the Goan life. Goan calendar is always blocked with festivals and fairs except the rainy or monsoon season. The diverse religions and cultures are responsible for these non-stop fairs and festivals. From the feasts, celebrating the patron saint of a village to the enthusiastic Hindu Zatras and from the Christmas to the Carnival, these kinds of celebrations never come to an end in Goa. Always these celebrations usually coincide with the holidays of Goa travelers.

Goa Carnival-

There are so many theories about how the carnivals originated in Goa. The word Carnival means giving up meat in the Latin language. It describes the relish of the meat dishes eaten during the festive time in Goa. It is also believed by some that Carnival celebration concept comes from the Roman festival Saturnalia. In Saturnalia, men and women wearing fancy dresses, masks etc. are carried by a horse-drawn carriage called as Carrus Navalis. These men and women used to sing songs during the festival. Earlier, it was introduced by the Portuguese. At that time, people used to throw flour, eggs, oranges, lemons, mud and dirty water at each other to celebrate and enjoy. It was just done to enjoy and have fun. It was considered that by throwing these dirty things they will be get rid of old and dirty things before Lent. This fiesta falls on Sabato Gordo i.e. Fat Saturday. Just to be amused and entertained themselves, parades, floats, bands and dances are performed all night long on the streets. The feast is presided by the King Momo, urging people to slip off the worries from their mind and be jubilant and joyous. This feast held for three days with merry. The grand balls are held here in the evening. The streets are full of colors during the festival. Music, masked dances, mock battles, cross-dressing are organized to celebrate the festival. The mock battle is known as Cocotes where people used to fight with bags of sawdust, flour and water. Youngsters used to attack the kitchen of neighbours by tricks. So many cultural functions and competitions are held and the prize distribution is done by King Momo. These celebrations come to an end with the Red and Black Dance. This is an annual event organized by Clube National in Panaji. It is a formal ball with the dress code of Red and Black color. This Carnival is known as Intruz in the villages of Goa. Intruz means the group of young boys. The feni adds enthusiasm to the spirits of people and add to the festive mood.

Shigmo-

Shigmo or Shimoutsav is a goan version of Holi festival. It starts with the advent of spring. It is a harvest festival. It is the biggest festival of Hindus in Goa. Shigmo is celebrated in the Damodar Temple with great pomp and show. The songs, dramas, dances, bonfires, festoons and banners are the highlight of the festival. This festival continues for six days and finally ends on the full moon day. People used to sing folksongs with dance enthusiastically. The final day of the festival is referred as ‘Rang Panchami’. It is considered as the day of rejoicing. People used to throw gulal as a symbol of celebration and joy. Some other programs include Ghodemondi, a martial dance. Men dance and brandish swords to the beat of the drums in this art. Each dancer has a wooden horse firmly attached to the lower part of the body. Parades and street dances are becoming quite popular now-a-days. Shigmo is lavishly celebrated in Panaji, Vasco and Margao with well choreographed parades and colorful floats.

Christmas-

Christmas is the biggest festival of Christians all over the world and a biggest festival in Goa too. This festival is known as the festival of goodwill and prosperity. This celebration begin around mid-December with carol singing and concerts. So the last week of the December comes with celebration in the air. All street corners and the market places are decorated with sparkling Christmas tree. People decorate their homes and make delicious dishes – cakes, puddings etc. People flocked at the eve of Christmas succeeded by a service on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is the ideal time for family get-together, catch up with friends and relatives. So many delicious dishes such cakes, pudding, pastries are made and lovely gifts are exchanged with family and friends. People used to gather in the churches in mass and service during Christmas. These churches include Basilica De Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Reis Magos Church and Church of St. Ane. Night parties are organized on the beach during Christmas. Almost every tourist attend these night parties here.

Saptah Festival-

It is an important hindu festival in Goa. It has been celebrating in Vasco for more than hundred years. The Saptah festival celebrated in September. According to hindu calendar, it falls in the month of Shravan. This festival lasts for 7 days. The stalls are put up for about 15 days for calling business. A legend is attached to this festival. It says that Old Goa suffered a lot due to an epidemic in the city and transmitted to Vasco. As the epidemic affects the lives at Vasco and the death toll rose then the Vasco residents went to Damodar Temple to seek the divine intervention. As a result, the epidemic declined. People of Vasco place a coconut in the Damodar Temple every year to thanks the divine and show their gratitude. This coconut is replaced every year with the new one by replacing the old coconut with full rites and rituals and the old coconut is immersed in the sea at Kharewada. So this people is considered very auspicious in Vasco and people can be seen in complete festive mood.

Ganesh Chaturthi-

Ganesh Chaturthi is also very much famous hindu festival in Goa. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is a thanksgiving festival that is organized to thank the God for the abundant harvest in Goa. This festival is celebrated from 2 days to 10 days and sometimes even more. People start the preparation very early by cleaning their houses and decorate the houses to welcome Lord Ganesha.Clay idols of Lord Ganesha are made by artists. These idols are of different shapes and sizes and painted with bright colors. Idol of Lord Ganesha is housed in a canopy made of fruits and gourds. This festival is for prayers and celebrations. Some cultural activities such dance and drama are also organized. Family, friends and relatives gathered here to celebrate and be happy at the auspicious occasion of Lord Ganesha birth. The idols of Lord Ganesha are displayed in temples, pandals, houses and shrines. Everyone wishes each other by saying Happy Ganesh! And make this celebration more special for Goan. The idol is placed by performing the rituals completely and prayers and offerings are made to Lord Ganesha. His favourite, Ladoos, are offered to the Lord Ganesha. Devotional and religious songs are performed and incense sticks are burn to make the surroundings sacred and pure. The idol is taken out in a huge procession on the last day of the festival while singing devotional songs with beat of drums and immersed the idol in water. People wish to Lord Ganesha to return next year again at the immersion of the idol so that the Lord bless them with more prosperity and happiness in life.

IMPORTANT PLACE

Goa Beaches-

The ideal combination of sun, sand, sea and surf is enough to send a person packing his bags and go on a short holiday. It becomes even better when that holiday is in one of the popular Goan beaches. Goa has a long coastline that makes it the ideal state to have beaches. The beaches of Goa are the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation and holiday in India.

Goa Churches-

Goa is literally synonymous with churches. They are living testimonies of the rich historical past of Goa. During the early days of the Portuguese rule in India, church building was the primary concern and occupation in Goa. This was because of their zeal to spread Christianity and convert as many people as they can.

Goa Carnival-

One of the most colorful and popular festival of Goa is the Goa Carnival. This three day extravaganza, of fun, frolic, amusement and merry-making, takes place in the month of February. The Goa Carnival festival is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. Though essentially a Christian festival, all people of Goa, irrespective of their faith and religion take part in this festival.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls-

The Dudhsagar waterfalls are located in the Sanguem district of Goa near the Goa-Karnataka border. It is located at a distance of around 60 kilometers from Margao and can be reached easily by hiring a taxi or taking a bus from either Margao or Panaji.

Goa Spice Plantations-

Goa is synonymous to its exotic beaches and pulsating nightlife. Tourists come here to enjoy the relaxed pace of life and rediscover themselves in peaceful and serene surroundings. But there is more to Goa than just beaches, churches, nightlife and casinos. A major attraction in the rural side is the spice plantation of Goa.

Arambol-

Arambol is located in the northern region of Goa. It lies 32 km north-west of Mapusa and Chapora, approximately 50 km from Panaji (the capital) and 12 km from Chopdem.

Canacona-

Canacona is Goa's southernmost district. It is among the five talukas that collectively form southern Goa. Canacona is bordered by the taluka of Quepeum in the north....

Marmagoa / Mormugoa-

Marmagoa provides you with an opportunity to visit an important trade harbour, which is famed for its natural beauty as well. Being located at the mouth of the Zuari River...

Panjim-

Panjim is the most famous tourist destination in Goa, in terms of beaches, churches, carnivals and natural beauty. Being the capital city, it is the focal point of tourism in Goa..

Vasco-da-Gama-

As the name suggests, Vasco-da-Gama city inherited its name from the Portuguese explorer and the former viceroy, Dom Vasco-da-Gama. Located at close proximity to Marmagoa....

Margao-

Margao, another town with Portuguese flavour and an old world charm, is an important commercial centre as well. All the administrative headquarters of the south Goan district lie in Margao.

Mapusa-

Mapusa, a popular destination for Goa lovers, is a fairly small town with mostly modern buildings spread around the slopes of a little hillock called Altinho. It is known as the main market....

Pernem-

Pernem is predominantly a Hindu town. This small town comprises of a beautiful coastline with long sandy beaches, lagoons and coconut plantations.

Ponda-

The famous ten temples, constructed in the 17th and 18th century, provide a boost to the tourism industry in Ponda. Several temples look relatively new as these were renovated....