Lord Ganesha, one of the most beloved of all, occupies a special space in the Hindu religion. Younger son of Lord Shiva, filled with grace and honesty, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the occasion of his birthday. Now it is no longer a celebration for the Hindus but this day is special to other religions.

Irrespective of religion, similar to Holi this day is owned by all as they have a keen belief in the deity. His blessings shower peace and happiness including prosperity. It is one of the reasons that different communities continue to celebrate this day.

The entire Part of India celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi

As a bestower of wealth, health, prosperity, and wisdom, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in different and entire parts of India. Irrespective of diverse communities the festival continues for ten days. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana are the most popular places celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi significantly.

Though according to the rituals of Hindus praying to Ganesha at the beginning is essential. Before offering prayers to any other deity. As he is believed to shower the grace of wisdom and good luck. Apart from his birthday, it is one of the auspicious days that his devotees celebrate with his fun, joy, and devotion.

At a corner of their heart and mind, there is a belief which continues to provide strength and wisdom with the hope of better days.

Significances of the celebration

His devotees celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi to bring new life with hope. Celebrated during September or October it is one of the greatest ways to welcome a refreshing start with good fortune. Goddess Parvati’s most beloved and youngest son with an elephant head.

During the celebration of the festival, devotees do not see the moon. It means that watching the moon will break one of the rituals.

Resembles stealing of something, when any devotees look to the moon. Also known as Mithya Kalank. A strange ritual but it has a reason which indicates that anyone seeing the moon in Amavasya will invite bad luck, it is a curse.

Generally, 4 feet height of Idol is worshipped for 10 days. Often devotees increase the size to 45 ft to 60ft,  a gesture to express their intense devotion towards Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesha the God Of Wisdom

According to the Hindu religion, Goddess Saraswati showers blessings of knowledge. Vinayaka bestows wisdom which enables a person to think better and grow progressively. He exemplifies as the god of honesty, care, wisdom, and intelligence.

Siddhi Vinayak is also known as the Vighna Harta which means he helps in overcoming problems and issues in human life. People have a belief that praying to him will help his disciples to overcome various problems. Enable to begin life by destroying all obstacles and attracting good time with success.

Continuous ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to the elephant-headed God with creative and attractive idols. The beliefs of devotees have been increasing year after year which is seen as this festival is celebrated in all communities ranging from Goa to Maharashtra.

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The period, when Portuguese invaded India, in search of spices has been the important phase to discover India. The story of the popular invader Vasco-da-Gama is not hidden when they arrived with 15 ships and returned to his country, Portugal in 1501. The construction of the Portuguese heritage of Goa was after the first invader had returned to his country.

In 1594 the Basilica of Bom Jessica had started the construction, which still stands as the UNESCO, heritage of India.  The endowment, of the church being not only the oldest Church in Goa but also of India, is famous for the Baroque Architecture.

Importance of baroque architecture

When you visit the church, the wonderful presence and beauty of the ancient form of architecture are observed in India. Highly decorative, an art form that evolved in Italy had seen the main exposure during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. A new level of architecture template added to the churches. Even today, the visits to the beautiful church have been impressive to experience the artwork after centuries.

You can see the sculptures of angels and paintings at the roofs, including the walls of the church, heritage of Goa. The height of the church that equals to the three-story houses of modern times. Decorated, twisted columns with colorful lights work.  While it was the time that Rome was facing the high Baroque architecture during the 16^th century when the Portuguese heritage of Goa, was established.

The age of the church has turned to 400 years, which was introduced as the minor basilica in 1946, which is now one of the heritage of India.

A place for visitors and feast

Not only as a heritage and worship place, but the church also remains busiest during the fest of the St. Francis Xavier. The church has been the home of saints so, the busy Goa turn further busy during the fest. The open spaces crowded with locals and the tourist make the feast the month Zmemorable each year. In December, Goa is filled with tourists, and the annual feast is celebrated on the 3^rd day of December every year. This is the time when the entire part of Goa is visited by different parts of the world including the heritage of Goa. Find people crowded sitting, dancing, and enjoying at the beaches of the smallest state of India.

Exploring the cultural and religious destination of the Portuguese heritage of Goa will increase the wisdom related to art, culture, and religion. Juliao Simao Domingos Fernandes who provided their artistic concepts as the architects in the interior sculpture work of the church. People visit the church to confess, for prayers every Sunday. Apart from the historic monuments, people believe that the place endures the magical experience to heal pain and health. The enormously beautiful place located near the Mandovi, of Old Goa. This UNESCO World heritage also has the silver casket with the dead body of St. Francis Xavier’s,  the mausoleum was presented by the last ruler of Medicis, Cosimo III, the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

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As you move down in the map of India, you will be greeted by serene beaches stretched along the coastline of peninsula. Goa is a western state of the country, harboured by Arabian Sea head to toe from its one side.

However, what makes the state so touristic and famous besides its beaches that can be found in other southern states of India? In nutshell, what makes Goa an exotic island of the country?

To answer it, let us make a virtual visit to the state:

Beaches:

Mentioned above, other states of India too harbour beautiful beaches yet are in no match with those of Goa. The ambience plays a crucial role in shaping the popularity of the place. If you opt Google maps to navigate, which obviously you do while traveling, you would surely end up at one of the most populous beaches of the state, say Baga, Anjuna, Palolem, Calanguate, etc. To rest peacefully in the lap of nature, take a way Mandrem, Morjim, Ashwem and those less listed yet are serene beaches of Goa.

Lifestyle:

Life in Goa seems to be in ‘sossegado’ mode. From localites to the visitors, enjoying the moment of life with the dear one is above running after the monotonous yet perpetual race of life. Known for its Hippie culture, Goa imbibes markets famous for selling antiques and other exotic antiquities. Talking about the nightlife, infamous trance culture lights up the show.

Switching to the ‘chill out’ mode, Goa is the best place to spend time with not only your peers but family as well. All depends on the mode of fun you are looking forward.

Architecture:

The Portuguese colonial architecture of Goa is also a factor of making the state stand out from its comparing neighbours. Bom of Basilica, Se Cathedral, Fort Aguada, Cabo Raj Bhavan, Viceroy’s Arch, etc are some of the famous architectural landmarks of the state.

Name it and have it. Goa has all sorts of fun activities for you. Be it driving on a narrow road with the lush green coconut trees both the side, basking in the Sun, fun at water parks, shopping spree in fancy markets, whip up the classic fish curry, replenish your thirst with sweet wines, walking bare foot on the golden sand and waiting for the fleeting water to wet your feet, attend a trance music party and what not, Goa has all of them for you.

What makes it an exotic island of India is not only its remarkable sites to visit, traditional seafood and most loved beverages to enjoy, but also the living element of the place. The warm welcoming people and excellent hospitality severed by the hotels and travel agencies hands to make your vacations memorable. To visit a place once in a lifetime is what every human do but to make you visit twice or more is what Goa do to you. Thus despite of alot similar elements no other state of India can be an exotic island like Goa.

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