Introduction :-
Goa- The Paradise on Earth. If one word could be said to encapsulate the essence of Goa, it would have to be the Portuguese sossegarde, meaning "carefree". The pace of life in this former colonial enclave, midway down India's southwest coast, has picked up over the past twenty years, but inspite of the increasing chaos of its capital, beach resorts and market towns, Goa has retained the laid-back feel that has traditionally set it apart from the rest of the country .It's 1.6 million inhabitants are unequivocal about the roots of their distinctiveness, while most of the overlords were the Portuguese, a people far more inclined to enjoy the good things in life than their Anglo-Saxon counterparts.
History :
In 1542 St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit Missionary landed in Goa. Once Christianity came to the place many churches were built that are known till date for their designs and architecture. Seafaring Portuguese were smart enough to captur Goa in order to gain control over the Spice trade to Europe and the Middle East. As they invaded the region, the Turks who were ruling before were completely driven out by the Portuguese slowly but steadily and Prtuguese became the singlemost power in Goa. They started practising Christianity and forced many Hindus to change religion. Goa become the administrative head for the Eastern colony of the Portuguese. The Marathas nearly occupied Goa from the Portuguese in the 18th century. During the Napoleonic wars British rulers occupied Goa for a very short period in the absence of which the Portuguese were masters of Goa until 1961 when they were finally driven out. There are references to Goa in the Hindu epics - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Today, Goa is an independent State in free India and a major attraction for tourists across the world.
Cities of Goa
 Mapusa , Old Goa, Panaji, Ponda.
Tourist Attraction of Goa :-
Statue of Abbe Faria :-
Hundred metres east from the building is situated a peculiar statue of a man holding his hands over the body of an entranced reclining woman shows Abbe Farin, a Goan priest who emigrated to France to become one of the world's first professional hypnotists. Statue of Abbe Faria said to be the father of hypnotism.
Idalcao's Palace :-
This is the oldest surviving building in Panaji today. Once the castle of Adil Shahs, it was rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1615 and until 1759 it was the Viceregal Palace and then the palace of viceroy's of Goa for a short while from 1759 to 1918.In 1918, the viceroy moved to Cabo Raj Niwas in Dona Paula. It has housed Goa's Secretariat, legislative assembly and other important government offices.
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