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After the vibrant
atmosphere of Bombay, allow the palm-fringed beaches of Goa to warm
your spirit in the sun and relax your mind. Or meditate in cool and
ancient Buddhist caves tunneled out of solid rock on the craggy
hillsides - a dramatic contrast from the colourful fairs and festivals
in unspoiled Gujarat. The choice is once again tremendous in this land
that offers everything.
Bombay - Gateway of India
There is a
powerful life force at work in this thriving, modern commercial city,
with its plate glass skyscrapers and hectic colorful street life. The
pace and confusion is vibrant, with businessmen hurrying to work,
hooting traffic, fisherwomen in their bright sarees and
‘tiffinwallahs’ hurrying with their metal containers to deliver the
businessman’s lunch direct from his home to his office. After relaxing
on Chow patty beach under the cool evening sky, sipping refreshing milk
from a large green coconut, you will start to love Bombay. You will
feel ready to visit the elegant and world famous Taj Mahal hotel for a
delicious snack or drink while watching the sunset over the many boats
in the harbour. In the luxury and quiet of a hotel room, sightseeing
can be planned. Consider a visit to the lofty Hanging Gardens next
door to the intriguing Towers of Silence; or maybe win a million at
the beautiful Mahalaxmi Racecourse, one of the finest in India. A
glamorous day visiting the famous Bombay film studios can be arranged,
and perhaps a chat with one of the many film stars. Relive the ancient
stories of the Hindu gods sculpted on the walls of caves at Elephant.
This well known island, where monkeys scamper across your path, is a
short and pleasant boat ride from the famous landmark in Bombay - the
Gateway of India. When ready to leave this city of tycoons, commerce,
skyscrapers and film stars, prepare for adventures of a very different
kind which await at its doorstep.
The Magic Around Bombay
There is so much choice
and so many wonders to see around Bombay. Northwest lies Gujarat, the
birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. The region is
famous for exclusive garments and hand made silk saris, and for being
the last refuge of the Asian lions, found deep in the Gir Forest. Join
in with the village people in their brightly coloured costume
rejoicing in one of the many festivals and fairs that abound in this
state.
Ahmedabad, the principal textile city of the country, is well known
for the Sabarmati Ashram founded by Mahatma Gandhi, where his ideals
of peace and non-violence are still promoted; visitors are welcome. As
Jawaharlal Nehru observed, this great man of indomitable spirit was
certainly ’not of the common clay that all of us are made of. Mahatma
Gandhi’s birthplace can be seen at the fishing village of Porbandar. A
greater and even more ancient wonder awaits east of Bombay in
Maharashtra, where the thirty Buddhist caves at Ajanta which are cut
into the steep face of a deep rock gorge sit in silent contemplation.
Feel the aura and power left behind by the Buddhist monks living 2000
years ago.
Compare them with the dynamism and energy radiating from the huge
Hindu caves in nearby Ellora. Imagine the workers carving a way at
solid rock on the hillside to form the thirty-four Hindu, Buddhist and
Jain Caves with the stories of their religions and beliefs etched onto
the walls. Stay at one of the cool and relaxing hill stations such as
Matheran or Mahabaleshwar, popular with the inhabitants of Bombay.
Take an evening stroll around the peaceful Bund Gardens in pleasant
and airy Pune. All these adventures will entertain and fascinate in
the magic and beauty around Bombay.
Goa - Sun, Sand
and Sea
Relax and experience the
idyllic peace that only India can give in sunny Goa. If you have ever
dreamt of a warm land of space and light, where the beaches stretch
for silvery miles, where the glittering sea always beckons you, where
the people are always smiling, where the succulent juice from a bite
of ripe pineapples or papaya drips on your hot skin as you luxuriate
lazily on the white sand, then Goa, a fascinating blend of Latin and
Indian cultures, will be a place where the wish to linger will be
overpowering. Decide when to sit in the shade under the palm trees
sipping the feni, or lemonade, or when to return to the hot sand to
deepen your tan, or when to swim in the cool refreshing water. What a
problem.
As well as being a place for relaxation, Goa is also lively and
modern, with many westernstyle entertainments. there is a choice of
luxurious hotels with plenty of night life, or simplicity and
tranquillity in one of the inexpensive, clean and comfortable rooms
with their own charm, right on the beach. The Portuguese influenced
food is mouthwatering. Choose massive fish steaks fresh from the sea
or a wide and delicious choice of both continental and Indian dishes.
Panaji, the capital, is an easy-going town with Portuguese styled
cafes, whitewashed churches and overhanging balconies; a delight after
your journey. 01d Goa, east of Panaji, was once the capital of the
eastern Portuguese Empire. Now, it is little more than a fascinating
small village surrounded by huge convents and churches dedicated to
the zeal of Christianity, including the Convent and Church of St.
Francis of Assisi and the famous Basilica of Bom Jesus. The mortal
remains of St. Francis Xavier, who spread Christianity among the
subjects of the Portuguese colonies, are entombed here. Which beach to
choose from along the 100km long coastline of silvery sand. Possibly
Colva with its warm turquoise sea and fishermen hauling in their nets
by hand in the clear morning light as they chant an ancient sea song;
or maybe sophisticated Aguada, with its jet-set beach and sixteenth
century fort. Try the experience of a full-moon party at Anjuna, or
mingle with the variety of people in Calangute selling handicrafts,
jewellery and modern fabrics. Enjoy the old Portuguese fort in Chapora,
surrounded by secluded and sandy beaches and dense green coconut
palms. Visit all the beaches or just adopt one and make it your home.
Wild boar and sambar in their natural habitat in the hills of the
Western Ghats can be seen in Bondla, one of the Goan wildlife
sanctuaries. In addition, the region is justly famous for its many
colourful festivals, including Mardi Gras, celebrated with Christian
fervour.
There are so many delights in Western India and so many glorious
choices; from the vibrant life of commercial Bombay to the home of the
indomitable Mahatma Gandhi then down to the peace and magic of sunny
Goa - the choice is yours. |
Information
provided by
Department of Tourism. Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Government of India.
