Popular tourist destinations - GOA

Goa is one the best tourist attraction in India. It is very popular tourist destinations because of its gorgeous beaches. Apart from beaches Goa also offers attractions, Goa cuisines, water sports and a colorful culture. There are many more things to explore in Goa like churches, one of the major attractions, natural beauty, shopping and nightlife. The Goa Carnival is unique in the sense it’s not celebrated elsewhere in India.

Book cheap flights now @ Flighthub

Beaches: 

Goa is a Land of Beaches, there are around 40 beaches in Goa,and some of them are still virgin. Anjuna, Calangute, Baga, Dona Paula, Colva and Bambolim are among the most famous beaches in Goa. Mostly beaches are divided into north and south Goa beaches. Each and every beach of Goa has it’s own importance, these beaches are paradise for beach lovers.

Famous Calangute Beach in Goa

Cuisines: 

The cuisine of Goa is one of the best in India. The cuisine is mostly seafood based that include crabs, prawns, tiger prawns fish etc. It is also considered as Goa cuisine can’t be complete without fish. Foods in Goa are influence of Portuguese and Hindu. Fish Curry and rice is a traditional food of Goa, which is really very delicious.

Goa Fish Curry

Wildlife: 

There are some famous wildlife sanctuary in Goa like Madei, Cotigao and Bondla Wildlife sanctuary, which supports a rich flora and fauna. These natural habitats are home for a wide variety of wild animals, including Indian Bison (Gaur), Cobra and leopard. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in North Goa is famous for rare species of birds.

Wildlife in Goa

Culture: 

Goa offer a mix culture of India and Portugal. Culture of Goa including its heritage, people, fairs and festivals. There are number of churches in Goa built by the Portuguese and these are one of the great attractions in Goa. Rave Parties and late night parties on exotic beaches of Goa are the major attraction for tourist peoples. Goa Carnival and Nightlife in Goa offers a true flavor of mix culture of India and Portugal.

Culture of Goa

Natural Beauty: 

Goa is a state which is gifted with incredible natural beauty. Natural Beauty of Goa includes waterfalls, green forest, fabulous beaches and sunshine. Waterfalls in Goa are added attraction to its natural beauty, The Dudh Sagar waterfall is one the major waterfall in Goa.

Beautiful Waterfall in Goa 

Carnival - Goa

The state of Goa celebrates its one of the biggest festival of the year, the Goan carnival festival. Carnival at Goa is not stop three days and nights festival of fun,entertainment,song,music and colors. Goa Carnival is one of the most awaited festival and attracts many tourists from all over the world. Konkani dance, Street plays and Grand feast are few major attraction of Goa Carnival festival, It will be starting in February 2013,get ready for food,dance,music and fun.

Famous Goa Carnival

Ajanta and Ellora caves - greatest tourist attractions in India

Expect your curiosity about the Ajanta and Ellora caves to be answered during your visit to the historical site on you tour to India. Created during the span from the 2nd century BC to the 8th century AD, the caves of Ajanta and Ellora are two of the most appealing tourist destinations in India.

Located near the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, the Ajanta and Ellora caves were discovered by a British Army Officer, named John Smith, with his group while they were on their hunting expedition in 1819. They were found lying amidst the Sahyadri hills, carved into the mountains, over the Waghora River. They demonstrate the story of Buddhism, covering a period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were constructed as retreats of the Buddhist monks, who sermonized and performed religious ceremonies in the Chaityas and Viharas.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves - 2nd century BC to 8th century AD

Some of the greatest tourist attractions in India, these caves have stunning figures carved out with the help of hammer and chisel by the saints. A lot of the caves display panels illustrating tales from the Jatakas - tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. One can notice portrayals of nymphs and princesses among various other depictions.
Around 30 kms from Aurangabad are sited the 34 Ellora caves. They are engraved into the sides of a basaltic mount. The facades and finely decorated interiors show

Ajanta Caves - 30 Kms from Aurangabad

some of the excellent examples of cave - temple architecture. Carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD, these structures depict the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The 17 of them in the centre are dedicated to Hinduism, 12 caves to the south to Buddhism and the 5 caves to the north to Jainism.
The Kailasa temple in Cave 16 is considered to be one of the finest architectural wonders with the entire composition chiseled out of a monolith.

This peak, believed to be the holy abode of Lord Shiva  is perhaps  the world’s largest monolith. Its pavilion, assembly hall, gateway,

sanctum and tower, are all created out of a single block. Unlike most of the other temple constructions that begin from the bottom, this sculpture starts from the very crown and the sides. The Dumar Lena cave, devoted to Lord Shiva, bears semblance to the famous cave - temple at Elephanta.

Ajanta & Ellora - most outstanding rock-cut caves in India

The Jain caves are positioned roughly a mile away from the Kailasa temple, among which Cave 32 has a stunning shrine decked with fine carved forms of a yakshi on a lion under a mango tree and a lotus flower on the roof. Caves 32 and 34 have the stately statues of Parasnath. The other Jain caves have the illustrations of Tirthankaras, and one of them, even flaunts a seated figure of Mahavira.

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, Aurangabad Caves and Panchakki (WaterMill) are some of the other tourist attractions in Ajanta and Ellora.