Waterfalls in Goa (original) (raw)
Goa is a verdant natural paradise bounded on the one side by the foothills of the Sahyadri range and on the other by the Arabian Sea. Goa, a tiny green land surrounded by azure waters on the West Coast of India, with its natural picturesque beauty, attractive beaches and famous architectural temples, majestic churches, grand parties and festivals and its rich Anglo-Indian heritage is a great attraction for all tourists. It is called the pearl of the east.
Besides the awe-inspiring and strikingly beautiful beaches, Goa is also gifted with lakes, waterfalls and springs of unmatched beauty. They are located far from the madding crowds, away from the coast, in the interiors.
There are three prime waterfalls of Goa which emerge from great heights and ripple through the rugged terrains. These three rippling cascades of silvery water attract hordes of tourists who prefer blissful solitude of isolated nature rather than the fun and frolic of crowded beaches.
THE THREE SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS ARE-
Arvalam Waterfalls- Arvalem waterfall with an altitude of 70 feet is located at Arvalem, about 2 km from Sanquelim and 8 km from Bicholim, in Valpoi taluka, North Goa. It falls in a straight drop and is in its highest glory during the monsoon season.
The fall looks stunning with the thunderous gush of water cascading down the rocky terrain of the mountain behind it.
The monsoon rain roils the water of this waterfall into a muddy brown color. In the vicinity of this picturesque site is the 5th century Rock Cut caves called the "Aravalem Caves" also known as the Pandava caves, named after the 5 Pandava brothers of the epic "Mahabharata". The Shree Rudreshwar Temple is also located in the same place it and is a site of an annual Shivratri Zatra.
The Government has also developed a park from which the magnificent view of the waterfall can be relished delightfully.
This secluded region with the astounding vista of the leaping waters in the laps of nature is an ideal destination for private picnics and bird watching. The famous site is also a favorite hunt of the filmmaker, film directors and photographers who love capturing the beauty of this idyllic place.
Approach
There are a number of buses that run from Mapusa and Panaji to Aravalem. The nearest interstate bus station is at Mapusa, the KTC bus station.
Accommodations
There are a number of nearby accommodations, none however located at Arvalem itself.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls- Dudhsagar Waterfalls- springing from from a lofty height of 600m is located on the Goa-Karnataka border. It lies at a distance of 60 km from Panaji and 10 km from Colem Railway Station. The name of this waterfall evolves from the Konkani name for the falls, Dudhsagar meaning 'sea of milk'. This is because froth is formed due to the speedy surge of water from the majestic heights. The fall looks stunning post monsoon as it ripples with bubbling foam-like water. The Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most interesting falls of India and the largest and highest fall of Goa. Nearby is the Tamdi Surla Temple built by the Kadambas.
Kesarval Waterfall- Kesarval Spring is situated 22 km away from Panaji on Verna plateau off the Panaji-Margao highway. The spring is surrounded by tropical woodlands and swaying betel palms and emerges from the hard rocks.
The spring is in its full glory in the monsoons and looks fabulous, brimming with sparkling water. However it is not that impressive during summers. There is dense undergrowth surrounding the site and above its gorge the hills stretch out in the east and south. The word "Kesar-val" is derived from the Indian word for eagles that used to maintain a colony here among the afforested slopes. Steps were built in the 1950s below the hill as a stony zigzag track was the only route to reach the spring.
The spring has a reputation among the locals and the bathers who come from faraway places, of having medicinal properties in its waters. It is a very popular spa, where people bathe in its water with a strong belief that the "healing waters" with magical curative properties will drive away all their ailments.
The Tourism Department has designated the Kesarval spring as a tourist spot. Kesarval, with its rolling terraced hills, running down to the wooded countryside is a place where time is stagnant.
Approach
There are a number of buses that run from Mapusa and Panaji to Kesarval. The nearest interstate bus station is at Margao, the KTC bus station. One can reach the spring by taking the national highway leading to Margao .The spot can also be reached by crossing the bridge on the Zuari river and passing through the village of Cortalim.
Accommodations
There are a number of nearby accommodations, none however located at Kesarval itself.
Last Updated on : June 17, 2021