The most famous legend associated with Goa, is that of the mythical sage Parashuram (the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), who several thousand years ago created the entire stretch of Konkan coast by ordering the seas to recede. The Sea God gave up the lands on the the banks of the two main rivers of Goa viz. Mandovi and Zuari (then called Gomati and Asghanasini) for the settlement of the Aryans accompanying Parashurama.

Another legend, less well known, states that the coastal area of Konkan enchanted Lord Krishna, who was charmed by the beautiful ladies bathing in the area. The ladies in turn, were so taken up by the melodious music coming from his flute, that they kept dancing forgetting their daily chores. Lord Krishna, then named the land Govapuri after the cows (gov) belonging to the locals.

The history of the sacred land of Gomantak, 'land of the Gods' is well described in Sahyadri Khand of Skandha Purana, the ancient text of Hindu religion. According to this story narrated in the Chapter Shantiparva of Mahabharat, a Brahmin from the Saraswat family, Parashuram, annihilated the entire community of the warrior tribe Kshatriyas and gifted the conquered land to a sage named Kashyapmuni.

Unfortunately, the Kshatriya annihilation meant that the land was left unadministered and fell into anarchy and chaos. The worried sage Kashyapmuni, requested Parashuram to leave the area and settle elsewhere. Parashuram came south and reclaimed new land by ordering the sea to recede and give up the coastal land. This land known as "Aparant" or "Shurparak" is spread between the Sahyadri mountains and Sindhusagar.

Goa which was liberated on 19th December, 1961 alongwhh Daman and Diu from 451 years Portuguese Colonial Rule, became the 25th State of the Indian Union when it was conferred Statehood on 30th May, 1987.

Having been ruled by the colonial Portuguese for over 450yrs ( as compared to the rest of India that was ruled by the British for 250yrs) there is still visible a distinct Portuguese / European flavor that has permeated all aspects of Goa's life including its food, religion, language, festivals, dances and of course names. This becomes apparent as soon as you cross the border to Goa from India or elsewhere.

This unique blend of Indian and Portuguese culture is to a large extent what makes Goa and the "Goan" unique. Also unique is the fact that it is one of the few colonies that India ( an ex- colony itself) liberated in 1961 and this set the stage for reclaiming history.

Today at the dawn of the "age of Information Technology", as Goa enters the new millennium, it has plenty to write about in terms of achievements, some examples being- the highest per capita income in India, the highest per personal savings rate in India, the lowest infant mortality rate in India, one of the highest literacy rate in India and one of the highest standards of living as compared to the rest of India