Origin and inspiration

In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was griefstricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum.Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, one year after her death. The court chronicles of Shah Jahan's grief illustrate the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal.The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words

Should guilty seek asylum here,

Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.

Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,

All his past sins are to be washed away.

The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;

And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.

In this world this edifice has been made;

To display thereby the creator's glory.

The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian architecture and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including; the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur, progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand), Humayun's Tomb, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own Jama Masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.

GOA, a place known for sun, fun and unspoiled beaches, is a perfect holiday destination. Also known as the ‘Rome of East‘, Goa welcomes visitors from all over the world with its sheer beauty of the coconut groves and beaches, and of course its history; and enchants you. Goa, Jewel of India [^], is lies on the west coast of India. This tiny emerald is studded with churches and temples for many centuries, and with their serene co-existence, they present a heartening view to be seen and the communal harmony emulated.

Churches in Goa are famous for their intricate architecture not only in Goa or India [^] but also throughout the world. Basilica of Bom Jesus and St Cathedral are two such churches in Goa, which are a magnet for lakhs of pilgrims from all over the world. Today we are going to be acquainted with the age-old churches that are known for their tomb, and mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier. Besides some of the churches in Goa show a tiered front piece and are framed with pilasters and columns, and the churches that belongs to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, constructed in 1605, is fairly a famous place to visit in Goa. The church, which is consisted with as interesting history as the beautiful architecture that this church in Goa is proud of. The church, which is now regarded as a World Heritage Monument, is popular because the sacrosanct relics of St.Francis Xavier are kept in this church.

St.Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, died when he was on a sea voyage to China on December 2 in 1552. As was wished by him, the subsequent year, at the time of transferring his relics to Goa, it was discovered that the saint’s body was as fresh as the day it was buried. This miraculous phenomenon became a magnet for the devout from all over the lands, and when every ten years, his body is exposed publicly, lakhs of pilgrims rush to have a pious look of the sacred body.

 

Se Cathedral (St. Catherine’s Cathedral)

The Se Cathedral in Goa is devoted to St. Catherine. It was on her feast day, 25th November 1510, that Alphonso de Albuquerque occupied Goa. The Cross of Miracles, positioned in the cathedral in Goa, is a focus for multitude of people. It seems the Goans had a vision of Christ on this cross and the rock on which it was discovered was opined to spout water. Today, the cross in Goa is slowly growing. Earlier, it was at Se Cathedral that the sanctified relics of St. Francis Xavier were exposed to the public.

Water Sports of Goa

Blessed with rivers, backwaters and a long coastline, Goa is ideally located for water sport activities like sailing, para sailing, wind surfing, etc.

Skim the waves. Surf the seas. Float across the skies. The fabulous golden Goan coast is sprinkled with water sports excitements from windsurfing to paragliding.

John Lucas, an Englishman, who first came to Goa in the early 70s like thousands of other westerners on a spiritual journey, found his heaven here in Goa. Being a keen windsurfer, the next time he came back to Goa, he had with him, his board and rig. And the trend for water sports in Goa was set.

Today there are a number of water based sports and activities available in Goa. The best season for enjoying water sports in Goa is from October to May when the skies here are cloudless and blue, and the waters fairly placid

Water Skiing

For the speed-lovers Goa offers the thrills of venturing into the sea on speedboats.

The high-class speedboats which are available in some places, can achieve speeds of up to 30-40 miles an hour.

These crafts, which can carry between six to eight people, are available at the Cidade de Goa, Bogmallo Beach Resort, and Taj Hotels.

They can be conveniently used for sightseeing as well as water-skiing. Even if Goa isn't having any magnificent coral reefs, still it boasts with a variety of fascinating marine life.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a unique blend of surfing and sailing, which requires the surfer to adjust his strength and balance to the changing patterns of wind and water.

To the expert who has honed himself in all these nuances, windsurfing can indeed be an exhilarating experience.

Windsurfing trainers and experts alike claim Dona Paula bay to be the ideal location for the beginners.

The prevailing winds and the calm sea, ensure almost lake-like conditions.

The morning breeze is light and steady — just right for learners; while stronger winds that set in during the afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more experienced.

Parasailing 

High fliers amongst the speed lovers can opt for parasailing.

Both the Taj and Bogmallo Resort hotels provide the necessary equipment for this enthralling sport.

There’s a rope about 300 feet long attached to the parasail harness at one end and to the speedboat at the other.

When the boat speeds off on the water, the parasailor just takes one or two steps and he is lifted into the air, the parasail lifting behind him.

Water Scooter 

Water scooters accommodate two people on a ride.

This action sport provides all the thrills of a motorbike with the softness of an ocean instead of hard tar road beneath the feet.

They are readily available at Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda, and Candolim beach.

River Cruises  

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) runs a variety of river cruises on the Mandovi river — daytime, sunset and moonlight.

There are two types of day cruises -- from the Panaji jetty, down the Mandovi into the Zuari bay and up the Mandovi to Aldona and a mineral water spring.

A few private firms also offer a variety of imaginative cruises or boat tours for sunset views as well as for crocodile or dolphin spotting.

Angling
The beaches of Goa offer a varied and plentiful supply to seafood, which is incredibly cheap and absolutely fresh. Go to Betul for Goa’s best and largest mussels, brought ashore by expert divers. Go to Agonda for all imaginable rockfish which, with any lucky, you could angle yourself.