In ancient literature, Goa was known by many names, such

as Gomanta, Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri,Govem, and Gomantak.[6] The Indian epic Mahabharata refers to
the area now known as Goa as Goparashtra or Govarashtra,which means "a nation of
cowherds". Gopakapuri or Gopakapattanam were used in some ancient Sanskrit texts, and these names were also mentioned in
other sacred Hindu texts such as the Harivansa and the Skanda Purana. In the 3rd century BC, Goa was known as Aparantha and
is mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy. In the 13th century, the Greeks referred to Goa as Nelkinda. Other historical names
for Goa are Sindapur, Sandabur, and Mahassapatam.[7]