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INTRODUCTION :
With 20 km of virgin white sands, palm fringed, and sun
drenched beaches, Colva is the most loved beach of Goans.
Colva, unlike Anjuna or Calangute, gained popularity only
lately. It was little disturbed and life moved on quietly.
But those are the things of the past in Colva. Over the
years, many hotels and buildings have sprung from nowhere in
Colva. Development is surely at a good pace in Colva.
Tourist
Attractions |
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enhora de Merces (Our Lady
of Mercy) Church
The church in Colva is famous for its annual religious
event—Fama of Menino Jesuse (Child Jesus)—since the 17th
century. The predominantly Catholic community celebrates it
on the third Monday of October every year. It is one of
Goa’s most popular feasts and a big fair is held on the
occasion at Colva.
On The Colva Beach
While taking a stroll on the Colva Beach, silver carpets of
bangdde (mackerels) can be viewed shimmering on the golden
sands for drying. Fishermen’s motor trawlers can be seen
anchored in a line offshore.
Tourists—Indian and foreigners, as well as locals—can be
seen in colorful dresses, coming either for a walk or ‘for a
change of air’. Many tourists can be seen having a sunbath
on the golden sands of Colva.
The trinket stalls and the drink stands on the golden sands
under the moonlight make the evening on the Colva Beach
utterly romantic.
The Bull Fight Around Colva
From early October to late May, from 4 pm onwards, one can
see the bull fights at Benaulim beach which lies close to
Colva beach. On the beat of taped Konkani music, the
bullfights are usually held in an old rice field with no
fences or barricades just outside a village.
Location and Climate
Location of Colva
Colva is a small village in south Goa on the shores of the
Arabian Sea. It lies 39 km away from Panaji, capital of the
Indian state of Goa. Two km further ahead from Colva is
Benaulim.
Climate of Colva
Goa has a consistent climate through the year with just
meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January
might require light woolens. April and May are warm. The
period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to
400 cm. The temperature during the summers ranges from 24°C
to 32.7°C and during the winters it ranges from 21.3°C to
32.2°C.
Excursions
About 2 km away from Colva is the Benaulim, which is more
peaceful and serene than Colva. The best thing about
Benaulim is that it is still rather undiscovered by domestic
tourists even though it is a fishing beach. It gets fairly
crowded in the evenings and on weekends, it gets fairly
crowded with local visitors who get off buses about a
kilometer away and pour onto the beach.
The Church of St John the Baptist is situated on a hill
beyond the village and worth a visit. On the arrival of the
monsoon, Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is
celebrated as a thanksgiving. Young men wearing crowns of
leaves and fruits tour the area singing for gifts. To
commemorate the movement of St John in his mother’s womb
when he was in his mother’s womb and visited by Mary, the
mother of Jesus, the young men of this village jump in the
wells.
Fairs and Festivals
The Beach Bonanza
The Beach Bonanza fair is held on successive Sundays from
mid-April onwards, where frenzy visitors in merriment
participate in live music, dance, and other entertainment.
Fama of Menino Jesuse (Child Jesus)
Celebrated on the third Monday of October every year, Fama
of Menino Jesuse is among the most popular festivals of Goa.
The festivities start at eight in the morning to extend
until nine in the evening. On the fama day, the miraculous
image of Infant Jesus is specially brought down from the
left side altar of the church, for public veneration and
umao (kissing). The priest hurriedly passes by a long and
virtually unending queue of devotees touching the statue to
their eager lips.
Shopping
It’s easy enough to rent a motorcycle or scooter in Panaji
and Mapusa.
As far as big shopping complexes or markets are concerned,
Colva Beach still has to develop. But there are a lot of
trinket shops and drink stalls on the beach where one can
buy artifacts, antiques and gifts for friends waiting back
at home. Open-air eateries serving seafood and Portuguese
dishes are in abundance on the shore.
Accommodation
There are plenty of resorts and low-budget hotels in and
around Colva. Benaulim too has a few hotels. Besides it is
possible to rent houses for a longer stay.
Transportation
By Air
The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from
Panaji and 68 km from Colva.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Karmali, 11 km away from
Panaji. Panaji is 39 km away from Colva.
by Road
There are frequent buses from Colva running to and from
Margao (also Madgaon; 6 km away) from where one can take a
bus to Panaji, which is 33 km further ahead.
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