GOA -> Girls Ocean Alcohol .... part II

Hi folks

I’ve described about some of the beaches and places in my previous post. Now, it’s time for a famous church and the ever-fresh Dudh sagar waterfalls.

Dudh Sagar waterfalls are situated 60 Km from Margoa, on the eastern border of Goa-Karnataka. They are in the forests of Western Ghats. The falls is usually accessed by a jeep ride on a rough road and can also be seen when passing by train from Karnataka to Goa.

Step into a jeep, while driving through the jungle and rivers you see and hear the liveliness of the wildlife sanctuary. Arrived at the Dudhsagar water, "the ocean of milk', you can have a picnic lunch, while relaxing and swimming at the foot of the second largest waterfalls of India.

The Dudhsagar Falls are amongst the top 100 highest waterfalls in world. The Dudhsagar Waterfalls takes a steep plunge 2000 feet down in the mountains of the Western Ghats. Believed to be amongst the highest falls in the country, these magnificent falls are located in a blissful tropical jungle with crisscrossing streams. The view from the top of the falls is breathtaking. Swimming in the pool is a good way to cool down, although the water, as expected, is freezing.

Great news for guys is the arrival of foreigners to the waterfalls. After the visit, you regret for the amount of time spent near the beaches. Foreigners along with waterfalls are really worth-watching. UNDERSTAND guys. A real TREAT for ur eyes. While visiting Dudhsagar falls, one should ensure that at least entire day is spent near the falls – both for foreigners and waterfalls.

Dudh sagar is also a home to a breed of friendly monkeys. Nuts and bananas can be bought from the guides to feed the little creatures. The baby monkeys are particularly gorgeous. On a whole, u shud not miss Dudh Sagar if u r planning 4 a trip 2 Goa.

Bom Jesus Basilica is one of the famous churches in GOA. The Bom Jesus Basilica holds the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier. It is just about 10km from the city of Panjim. The church is located in Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa in the early days of Portuguese rule.

This world heritage monument built in 1695 is a fine example of Jesuit architecture and has emerged as a landmark in the history of Christianity. It is situated in Old Goa, It is a world renowned church which contains the body of St Francis Xavier; patron saint of Goa, who died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2, 1552.

The following year, while transferring Francis Xavier's remains to Goa, in accordance with his wishes, it was found that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon attracts huge number of devotees from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years. The saint is believed to have miraculous powers of healing, and pilgrims would come from all over the world to offer prayers.

This church is one of the richest churches in Goa and is carpeted with marble flooring and inlaid with precious stones. Apart from the elaborate gilded altars, the interior of the church is simple. The church also holds paintings of St Francis Xavier.

The casket containing his body is made of silver. The holy relics of the saint are displayed every 10 years during the anniversary of the Saint's death. The Feast is organised on 3rd December every year.

We can find an art gallery in the church. The following is the link for the Bom Jesus Basilica Art Gallery.

http://www.dommartin.cc/Basilica ptgs/Basilica ptgs index.htm

The Basilica is open to visitors from 9 am to 6.30 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 6.30 pm on Sundays. Masses are held at 8 am and 9.15 am on Sunday and at 7 am and 8 am on weekdays.

Goa is best visited in the winter, between October and March, when the weather’s pleasant. Goa has plenty of connections to the rest of India. The domestic airport at Dabolim (30 km from Panaji) has frequent flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kochi, besides chartered flights from overseas. The two railway stations- at Vasco da Gama and Margao- also have a number of trains arriving at Goa from the rest of the country. In addition to that, there are bus networks which connect the state to other cities and towns in Western and Southern India. From Panaji- or any other place in Goa, for that matter- there are excellent bus connections to Old Goa. Alternately, you can hire a car or take a taxi, including the interesting motorbike taxis.

The possibilities for accomodation in Goa are virtually limitliess, stretching all the way from snazzy resorts and upmarket hotels to affordable guesthouses, cottages and locan inns. The only thing to keep in mind is that Goa's immense popularity makes accommodation scarse during the peak season; book well in advance.