KERALA

WELCOME TO KERALA- THE GREEN TROPICAL PARADISE IN INDIA

Keala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia... An equable climate... A long shoreline with serene beaches... Tranquil streches of emerald Kerala backwaters... Lush Kerala hill stations and exotic Kerala wildlife... Kerala Waterfalls... Sprawling Kerela plantations and paddy fields... Kerala Ayurvedic health holidays... Enchanting art forms of Kerla... Magical festivals of Kerala...Historic and cultural monuments in Kerala...An exotic Kerala cuisine...All of which offers the visitors an unique experience... Kerela is networked by forty four rivers, with the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Western Ghats towering 500-2700m in the east...

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.Nestled in the lush forests of the Western ghats in Kerala are 12 Wildlife sanctuaries and two National Parks.
The following are the Wildlife Sanctuaries / National Parks in Kerela : Peppara Wildlife sanctuary Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary Shenduruni Wildlife sanctuary Periyar Wildlife sanctuary Idduki Wildlife sanctuary Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Silent Valley National Park Eravikulam National Park
Main animals in the sanctuaries of Kerela are : Elephants, gaur, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars, sloth bears, leopards, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur, malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger,panthers, spotted deer, grizzled giant squirrels, Hanuman langurs, peacocks, star tortoises, wild dogs, civet cats, The Atlas moth, bonnet, macaques, Loris, mongoose, foxen, bears, barking deer, pangolins, bison, bears etc..   The Reptiles found in the sanctuaries of Kerala are : Cobra, Viper, krait, a number of non poisonous snakes, bicoloured frogs, crocodiles, varanur pond terrapins, cane turtles, star tortoises, geckoes, skunks, chameleons, spectacled cobras, pythons, green keel backs, rat snakes, vine snakes, monitor lizards etc...
	Main birds seen in the sanctuaries of Kerela are : Water fowl, Cuckoo, Owl, Egret, Heron, Water duck, Migratory Siberian Duck, Jungle fowls, Mynas, Laughing thrushes, Black bulbuls, Peafowls, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, The hornbill, Stork, Raptor, Darter, Cormorant, Grackle, Cluster, Indian rollers, Common snipes, Crow pheasants, Jungle nightjars, Kites, Grey drongos, Malabar trogons, Llarge pied wagtails, Baya sparrows, Grey jungle fowls, Indian hill mynas, Robins, Jungle babblers, Sunbirds, Peacocks, Crimson-throated barbets, Bee-eaters, Shrikes, Fairy bluebirds, Grey-headed fishing eagles, Black winged kites, Night herons, Grey hornbills, Malabar hornbills  and more than 253 additional species including migrant birds.. Main flora in the sanctuaries of Kerela  are Teak, maruthu, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, mazhukanjiram, bamboo, neem, nanjanathi, sandal, dendrocalamus, marythu, vaka, , mulluvenka. elavu,
manjakadambu pala, vembu, aval etc... and over 1800 flowering plants including 171 grass species, 143 species of orchids etc...
Kerala Backwaters . .The backwaters of Kerela is a unique product of Kerala and is found nowhere else in the world.  Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian sea.  The backwaters of Kerela are a self supporting eco-system teeming with aquatic life.  The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport.  Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable The largest backwater stretch in Kerela is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi Port.  The Astamudi lake,  literarlly having eight arms, which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters. The most exciting thing on the backwaters of Kerela, however,  is the kettuvallom ( traditional houseboat ) which has become the most popular tourism product in India today.  In a land as waterbound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is the most amazing spectacle in the world.  Even more enchanting is a holiday in the houseboats of Kerela. Kerala Beaches . .Kerela has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves,  natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves.  All of it as peaceful as the rest of the land, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and as pristine as ever.    Kovalam beach :  This internationally renowned beach resort of  Kerela  has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s.  Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches.  The southernmost , known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular, Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all the budgets. Poovar Beach : Poovar is an unspoilt and unexplored island, envoloped by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach. Shanghumugham Beach : This is a favorite haunt of sunset viewers.  The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum ) airport and Veli Tourist Village. The Varkala Beach : Vakala is a seaside resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.  High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.  The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions there Alappuzha Beach :  This is one of the most popular picnic spots in alappuzha.  The pier, which extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old. Cherai Beach - This lovely beach bordering Vypeen island is ideal for swimming.  Dolphins are occassionally seen here. Fort Kochi Beach - The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British.. Kappad - This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels.  The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu.  An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawing rock that protrudes into the sea.  The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old Kerala Hill Stations . Kerala has a long chain of lush, mid-clad hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All the hill resorts in Kerela offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty The major Hill resorts of Kerela are: Munnar, Ponmudi, Peerumade, Neliyampathy, , Peruvannamuzhi, Tusharagiri, Wayanad, Pythal Mala, Ezhimala, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Wagamon etc. Munnar HillsMunnar hills is situated in the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. Situated 1600 metre above sealevel, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.    Ramakalmedu: Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu and enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. Situated at a distance of 40 km from Thekkady and 75 km from Munnar Echo Point This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station in Munnar RajamalaRajamala is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population – estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala.    VagamonOne of the most beautiful places with a chain of three hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively. PullumeduVelvet lawns and rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu. The famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illuminations at the shrine are visible from here. The winding journey to this hill along the Periyar River, offers a stunning view of hills draped in lush greenery.    Vandanmedu This is one of the world's largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience. ChellarkovilThis sleepy little village with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. VandiperiyarThe River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthuria. Pattumala Pattumala or Hill draped in silk in Peermede has charms like no other. The lofty peaks, the little streams and the green expanse of the tea plantations give the hills an ethereal beauty. Eravikulam National Park A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi ( the highest peak south of Himalayas ) Kerala Houseboats [Luxury category] . A Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat or ketuvallom is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today.  In this world of simple pleasures, you'll skim past ancient chinese fishing nets, water lillies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves.   Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and te deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala.  The backwatrs mainly covers the four districts of the state - Kollam, Alleppey (alappuzha), Kottayam and Kochi ( Cochin ).    The largest backwater body, the Vembanad lake flows through Alleppey ( Alappuzha ) and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi ( Cochin ) Port.  The Ashtamudi Lake, the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride and is considered the gateway to the backwaters. Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat or ketuvallom. Non A/c Houseboat The Houseboats or Kettuvalloms of  Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 foot in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether.  Once these Rice Barges ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities.  But in the recent times, the ketuvalloms or houseboats have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats or Kettuvaloms. Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood.  Unbelievably it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a ketuvallam.  Jackwood planks are joiined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashewnut shells.   There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in kettuvallom or houseboat construction.  Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers. The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by.  Bedroom of Luxury A/c Houseboat Open lounge of Luxury A/c Houseboat Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms or houseboats are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama.  Every houseboat is manned by a crew - usually a cook, a Captain, and an Oarsman. The kitchen in the houseboat or ketuvallam is the production center of the best traditional Kerala food.  The availability of fishes and all along the backwater add special charm to the authentic Kerala cooking.  Only fresh materials are used and purchased locally to support the economy of the village.  Only authentic Kerala food is prepared under high standards of hygiene and professional competency by expert cooks, who have been specially trained. The highest classifications awarded by Dept. of Tourism for Houseboats are Gold Star and Silver Star.  All the Houseboats dealt by us are either Silver Star or Gold Star. Click here to view the various Hous Boat cruise packages The Luxury A/c Houseboat offered by us includes the following facilities : Front living area and bedrooms have a beautiful wooden ceiling with overlapping logs to give it a contemporary feel. The wooden ceiling in the living/dining area has 200 fiber optic lighting points to emulate the stars during the night and gives a cozy feeling. The light intensity or ‘glow’ can be adjusted according to guest preferences. Additional lighting in the living area of the Luxury A/c Houseboat will be provided with terracotta lamps with candles to provide an ideal, romantic setting for the boat. The bedrooms of the Luxury A/c Houseboat have complete glass windows stretching across 3/4ths of the wall to offer the guests a complete and uninterrupted view of the backwaters while traveling Each bed in the Luxury A/c Houseboat is located at the exact height of the window, so the guest gets a good view even while lying on the bed. Each room in the Luxury A/c Houseboat has a dressing mirror, luggage compartment, writing table, wardrobe, attached bathrooms and air-conditioning Bathrooms in the Luxury A/c Kettuvallams have a shower area with WC and wash basin and are one of the largest, if not the largest on any boat. All fittings are of high quality. Click here to view the various Hous Boat cruise packages The wall next to the WC has a large picture window that offers the guest an ample view of the backwaters, similar to the one in the bedroom and it also offers a feeling of space and ample natural lighting. The exterior walls, i.e. the textured finished walls in the dining/living area and pathway have niches incorporated in them. These niches have paintings that follow a theme on each Luxury A/c Houseboat. The kitchen, at the rear of the boat, is complete with a modern equipment and ambience, even though it is for use for the staff only. A 165 lt. fridge is also part of the equipment level. Even guests can use the kitchen facility for themselves if they so choose. Every toilet is equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Each room is Air-conditioned using proper split units & Lifesavers and safety jackets are available on board. Onboard game activities include - Chess, Caroms, Scrabble, Playing cards etc. Fishing rods, painting and sketch pads, Library & High-End music system. Come, check into our Houseboat for the most amazing experience of your life. No. of Luxury Houseboats available - 03 Nos. Corridor of Luxury A/c Houseboat Lunch in the Luxury A/c houseboat

GOA - A DREAM COMES TRUE

About Goa

Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area. Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa. Over the centuries various dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas, Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic. Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions. All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous. Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which weave their way throughout the state forming the inland waterways adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used to transport Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese ore to Mormugao Harbour. Along the way to the coast these waterways form estuaries, creeks and bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed coastline behind which lie the fishing villages among the coconut groves. Panaji (Panjim) is the state capital located on the banks of the Mandovi river and Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and Ponda are the other major towns. Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. An intra-state and inter-state bus network also plays an important role in getting locals and visitors alike in and around Goa. The vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain range ensures that Goa has an abundance of water. The sea and rivers abound in seafood - prawns, mackerels, sardines, crabs and lobsters are the most popular with the locals and the visitors. Along with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the state languages. The national language Hindi is also well understood in most areas around the state. Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences the Goans had to endure during the centuries. The staple food in Goa is fish and rice, both among the Hindus and the Catholics. Unlike the Christian food the Hindu Goan food is not strongly influenced by the Portuguese cuisine. Since the arrival of the Hippies in the sixties, Goa has been a major destination on the itinerary of international and domestic tourists. The tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries on through early March. The weather in these months is usually dry and pleasantly cool. Then the weather gets fairly hot around May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during the monsoon that Goa is probably at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around. Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax. Beaches Sun, Sand, Surf and the Sea 105 kms of Konkan coast stretches across the state of Goa providing a wide range of choice in beaches to suit everybody's needs. There are unspoilt pristine streches of sand for the solitude seeker and there are those ones jammed with people in every square feet of sand. There are beaches far from human habitation with very basic or sometimes no facility for accommodation. Then there are some with ultra modern comforts like internet cafes, massage centers, gyms, swimming pools, night clubs, etc. With such an enormous choice, one might feel confused about which one to take. But on the contrary, it's quite easy to plan an itinerary for getting suntan allover the body. Taking the capital Panaji and the next major city Margao as base points, all the beaches can be visited in a stretch. North from Panaji lies the most famous beach of Calangute. From here onwards to the northern tip of the state, swaying palms and shimmering sands stretch giving an enchanting sight. The further north, the emptier the beaches become. The same can be said about the silvery sands, which stretch down southwards from Margao. Right from Colva, the famous silvery white sand beach, there is an uninterrupted continuity in beaches. The more you move south the lonelier the beaches are. North Goa Circuit: This stretch begins from the headland of Fort Aguada just outside Panaji city and moves up north towards the border to Maharashtra. Right from the Fort Aguada Beach Resort, an interrupted stretch of sand lies awaiting tourists, sunbathers and party animals. Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Morjim and Arambol are the beaches that can be covered in the North Goa Circuit. South Goa Circuit: Another major base to begin the beach conquest is from Margao, the second most important city in Goa. This railway junction connects Goa to all major cities in the coastline like Mumbai, Mangalore and Kochi. Beginning from Majorda beach, a 20 kms long silvery white sand stretches across till the headland of Cabo de Rama. Velsao, Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim, Mobor and Betul beaches are all interconnected. Churches One of Goa's important institutions, Goa's famous and magnificent churches are largely a legacy of Portuguese colonization. Church building was one of the main occupations of the early Portuguese and in fact one of Vasco da Gama's main missions for finding the sea route to India was to "seek Christians and spices". Christianity was forced upon with religious fervor by the Portuguese during the period of the "Inquisition" with wide scale destruction of temples and this continued till the official end of the "Inquisition" in Goa in 1812. Most of Goa's churches were built on the very site of former temples. The confiscated lands of the temples were handed over to the church and the communidades. In fact, the first Hindu temple allowed to be constructed by the Portuguese in 300 years was in 1818 at Panaji. With a significant population of Goans being Christians for many generations today, the Church is an important factor in Goa's social , cultural and religious life. For example, the contribution of the Church to education in Goa is immense. Today the churches are all part of the Archdiocese of Goa and function with its help, many are also protected sites. The architecture of Goa's churches has undergone notable changes with the passage of time and the fashion of the era that they were built in. The church architecture can be broadly broken down to the following periods. The Early period - From 1510 - 1550 AD The oldest surviving Church in Goa today is the Church of Our Lady of Rosary on Monte Santo, Old Goa. Built on the site of Alfonso de Albuquerque's hill of Victory soon after he conquered Goa in 1510. The style of Churches during this time period is termed as "Manueline" after King Emmanuel of Portugal. This style is an amalgamation of Gothic and Renaissance and is a style peculiar to Portugal of that time. The decorative motifs of this style centered on Portuguese dominance of seamanship and included cables and anchors with seashells etc. This type of construction was largely not suited for Goa's weather and a number of these Churches were subsequently rebuilt or remodeled and only one or two survives to this day. This was the period that saw wide spread destruction of Hindu temples with new Churches constructed on their sites. Some notable churches of this era include the Church at the Cabo near Panaji and the Church on the Island of Divar off the coast of Old Goa. Most others are in ruins, especially in Old Goa. The Baroque period - From 1550 - 1660 AD This period coincides with the Renaissance period in Europe and also coincides with the period of "Golden Goa" and the influx of Missionaries to Goa including St Francis Xavier. Church building during this time reached a fever pitch with styles and plans that are totally European. The great churches of Old Goa including the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral, and the Church of St Cajetan and the largest of them all, the Augustine Church of Our Lady of Grace, now in ruins, belong to this time period and style. The other notable churches outside of Old Goa built in this period include the Rachol Seminary, and the then newly rebuilt Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, at Panaji. The architecture of this period being a mixture of Tuscan, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles. The Indian baroque period - From 1660 - 1760 AD The churches of this period represent the local contribution to church building in terms of style and design. The most important being the design of the outer facade and the ceiling with inclusion of flowers, tropical motifs etc. The prominent churches of this period include the Church of St Francis of Assisi at Old Goa, The Church of Holy Spirit at Margao and the Church of St Ana at Talaulim and The Church of Our Lady of Compassion at Divar. The Rococo period - From 1760 - 1899 AD The churches of this period are characterized by their rather small size but with an accent on exquisite and ornate finishing on the inside with local motifs and paintings. Another element was the use of Stucco on the exterior facade. The style reflected to a large extent the relaxation of the religious fervor of the Portuguese . This was also the period of the New Conquests. One of the classical examples of this style is the Church of St. Stephen's at San Estevan near Panaji. Others include the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate conception at Moira, the Church of St Alex at Calangute and the Church of Our Lady of Rosary at Margao. The modern period - From 1900 onwards This period dates from the early nineteenth century onwards. There is a multitude of different styles and represents the freeing of the rigid structure of the past. Some examples include the Church of Nossa Senhora at Saligao built in the gothic style. Most of the churches are functioning institutions and can be seen and prayed in. Most are revered by both Hindus and Christians alike because of their past. Goan Culture An Exotic Mix of Cultural Influences Goa’s cultural traditions literally stretch back to the dawn of civilization. Despite successive onslaughts and the ravages of alien occupation, Goa’s cultural traditions have displayed amazing resilience with stimulation by every fresh challenge. To a large extent, Goa’s cultural heritage was enriched by a slow but unremitting process of absorption and assimilation of the more congenial features of alien culture. The focal point being the symbiosis of Latin and local cultural strains. A Goan is said to be born with music in his blood and music literally accompanies him from the cradle to the grave. Musical traditions run in whole generations. Music itself runs the entire gamut of sonic versatility; from the rustic Dhangar (Shepherd) playing and flutes to sophisticated tabla and sitar or violin and piano soloist thrilling large audiences in concert halls. Music is the time seller at all major social events-feasts, festivals, “zatras”, and marriages. Goan folk music has a lively rhythm and the folk-dances a rugged vitality. The musical accompaniment for both folk songs and the folk dances is provided by a diversity  of musical instruments – Ghumats, Dhols, Cymbals (Drums), Flutes, Harmonium , Violins and Guitars. The favorite, however, seems to be the Ghumat. No description in writing can ever do full justice to these dynamic folk art forms. Watching a live performance can elicit to a certain degree its emotional content, rhythmic charm, the colorful variety and vitality. Freedom brought about a cultural renaissance in Goa along with providing a fresh impetus to the classic literature and fine arts and a revival of the folk arts. Once again the almost forgotten folk dances Dhalo, Fugdi, Corridinho, Mando and performing folk arts (like Khell-Tiatro), Jagar-perani and many others have come out into their own. Indeed the folk music and folk dances have crossed the borders of the state and become popular in the rest of the country during the past 25 years.