Doodh Sagar Water Fall, Goa

I landed here by error.

Plan was to visit a water fall near to Tambdi Surla Shri Mahadev Temple, after visiting Tambdi surla Temple.

I had told the cab driver the same. He nodded with confidence. I took it on the face value. I did not cross check.

Doodh Sagar water fall is another popular water fall close to Tambdi Surla Temple, falling in the same Bhagawan Mahaveer Wild life sanctuary.  The cab driver automatically assumed it to be Doodhsagar, when I said water fall.

My plan to visit the Tambdi Surla water fall, which is less crowded I guess.

After Tambdi Surla Temple, we started off. 30  minutes later i realised that something was wrong and asked the cab driver. He promptly answered.

Hmmm..... I thought for a while and then accepted to visit Doodhsagar. It was anyway in my list but not during this time.

It falls in Bhagawan Mahaveer Wild life Sanctuary, about 60 km from Panaji. Nearly 50 km from Ponda on NH 748 towards Mollem.

Road is quite good. Not much of traffic.

Good time of day to visit is morning hours, before noon atleast, I would say.  During the peak rainy seasons the Doodh sagar route is closed. So, choose your time of day and month accordingly.


Collem is the base spot. Beyond this point, you can not take your vehicle. You need to take the shared jeep organised by the local union of jeep organisers.

It was 1100 hrs when I reached the spot. There was long Q for ticketing. It was quite hot sunny day.

I really do not like a crowded place on a nature trail like this. I for a moment thought of going back. But stayed on anyway.

I have to explain the system for the sake of readers who would visit.
Entry to trail : Rs.400 per person considering that you take the shared jeep of seven. Rs.2800/- per jeep.

Every one must take a life jacket. It is mandatory. You can get it on rent at Rs.30/-

Camera fee (standard camera) : Rs.30/-. Mobile camera is ok. No fees.

Forest entry fee : Rs. 50 per person.

One can walk the trail. Fees are still applicable except Rs.400/-  Life jacket is still mandatory.

They have limited number of jeeps. Each jeeps takes seven guys to the water fall base, which is 12 km and takes 45 minutes. You will be there for about one and half hours and then return by the same jeep. The road is jungle trail.

There is a strict guy with far south Indian hard accent who controls the operation of ticketing and assigning the jeeps.

If you are group of seven then it is simple, he takes Rs.2800/- and gives you the jeep number and calls the driver. If not, he will make you sit, (not yet taken the money). You will have to wait till he forms a group of seven. Once group of seven is formed including you, he would take the money and you are off on the vehicle.

He must have been a wonderful air hostess in his previous birth. The way he explains - what you should do and should not, about safety, timing, route etc and manages the counter, he is no less than an experienced air hostess, except that he did not have the grace of of an air hostess.

Let alone grace, he was like an ex SS nazi officer doing air hostess's job like.

How ever I could not avoid appreciating him for what he was doing diligently.

The 12 km trail is through rough jungle road, muddy, bumpy, good green. I thoroughly enjoyed.

I do not think it will be good idea to go there during rainy season, if you are not familiar with tropical forest. It a very beautiful lush green tropical natural forest. 

Once you reach the water fall, you are on your own, Just walk down further few hundred meters and hit the water fall. 

It is river Mandovi flowing across state of Karnataka and crossing state of Goa before merging with Arabian sea near Panaji. 

The river falls down almost 300 mtr and 30 wide. It must be much more beautiful during rainy season. 

You can jump into water and spend enjoy the nice water. Life jacket is for this reason, I understood later. 

Beautiful water fall. What i did not like is the noise the people were making. Well, every body has a different way of enjoying the nature.  I should not complain. 

Temples around Ponda, Goa.

Goa is not just famous for its white sand beaches, but for beautiful Temples and Churches too. 

Many temples were relocated and rebuilt away from original places to a little interior places to protect from invading Portuguese authorities - I read wikipedia. 

Ramnathi, Shantadurga, Mahalaxmi and Mangeshi are some of the such famous Temples near to Ponda, rebuilt in 16th century. There were also renovated time to time. 

Nageshi Temple is an exception. It is in its original place. 

These Temples are beautiful, rich in colour and culture, tradition. Large group of Hindu sects are ardent followers of these temples. 

This time I visited Nageshi, Shantadurga and Ramnathi that are in 5 km range from Ponda. I just walked down to these temples as early morning walk. 

Temple ambience is really good and radiate divine aura around it. 

One can stay in the rooms in the temple complex, if you are performing Pooja at the Temple. These rooms are for devotees only. 

Nageshi Temple:

View of the Temple from one side. 

View from the front end.

The Pushkarini. Very well maintained and devotees are allowed to swim, not bathe of course.  I used to frequently visit and swim here almost 20 years ago. This place has remained same good as before. 

Beautiful Deepa Stambha or Lamp Tower. Such huge lamp towers are unique to Goa Temples and found in all the temples.

Shantadurga Temple :

Main entrance and the Deepa Stambha in front.

View of temple from main gate side.  

Elaborate Rangoli in side the premise of Shantadurga Temple. Priests are preparing for a Pooja. 

Ramnathi Temple :

Main entrance and the Deepa Stambha.

Another view the temple complex.

You will find the group of local women selling flowers and offering to Deity, as you approach  Temple. They are simple, honest people. They do not rip you, I experienced. 

Next time when I am in Goa, hopefully for a longer period, I would like to explore more of Goa.  That is the plan at least. 

Tambdi Surla Temple, Goa

Tambdi Surla Temple on Surla river bank.

Tambdi Surla Shri Mahadev Temple is a differently built in terms of its architecture and the stones used compared to other famous Temples in Goa.

The temple is in a remote forest area in Bhagawan Mahaveer wild life sanctuary about 40 km from Ponda town.  Not a huge temple, but nicely located in midst of green.

The route is really nice stretch through green tropical forest. It would be much more green in monsoon I Imagine. The road is good. 

The temple resembles the temples built in neighbouring state Karnataka.  It dates back to 12th century and said to be built by Kadamba Dynasty kings. 

View from the front of the temple. Garbagriha is dimly lit only by Jyoti, no electric bulbs i believe. Photography is not allowed in side the Garbagriha.

Though the main deity is Shiva there are other deities in the Mukhamantapa.

Nandi with out the head. May be due to vandalism.

Mukhamantapa with carved stone pillars.

Statue of Brahma on Gopura

Outside the temple, one can get some flowers for offering to god. 

While in Goa if you are keen to look at some thing other than beaches, you come here and enjoy the forest and divine ambience.

Palolem and Agonda Beach Goa.

I was in Goa on a weekend recently. Few days before the journey I had been exploring on net to find the places to visit during week end. I realised that I never visited lots of places though I stayed there for 17 long years. 

I zeroed in on Tambdi surla Temple, Tambdi Surla water fall and Palolem & Agonda beach in south Goa. 

I visited Shri Nageshi, Ramnathi and Shantadurga temples too. 

Palolem beach is one of fine beaches in far south of Goa, touching the border of neighbouring state of Karnataka. 

It is about 55 km from Ponda, takes about an hour and half by car.  Nearest city is Margao about 45 minutes by car.

The road is quite good and no major traffic, at least in the morning. 

It is a white sand long beach. On the extreme left you see the rock formation that makes it much more beautiful. 

Less crowded I guess compared to other popular beaches. But quite a lot of foreign crowd. 

Couple on stroll

There are activities like Kayaking, Dolphin ride. You can take a boat ride to near by island either by a shared boat or private. They would charge you around Rs2000/ per boat of five or six group. I did not try this. I was not sure of Dolphins.  Not really sure of other island beaches and the time I would get to spend there.
I have seen the pictures of Butterfly beach, looked good but I wanted to spend more time here Palolem anyway. 

Just before the sunset I went to near by Agonda beach. It is about 30 minutes from here. My plan to was to view sunset from Agonda, which is also a nice smaller shore with rocks too.

The mesmerising pictures of sun set at Agonda beach below speak more than the words.

Surajkund Mela, Full of vibrant colours

Worlds biggest handicraft show happens at  Surajkund, in Haryana, 40 km from Gurgaon every year at around this time of the year. (This time from Feb 2nd to Feb 18th). 

There is a ten century old big open well, now no longer a well. All dried up, hence the name Suraj-kund. 

It is a huge open air place, where stalls are setup. Handcrafts, shawls, stole, wool, dress materials, fashion jewellery, carpets, Brass, copper articles, wooden art, pots, mugs........................list never ends so to say. 

Any such fair is incomplete with out food court. Umpteen number of variety of north and south Indian food stalls. 

Lot of people, lot of colours.

I visited the Mela for the first time though I have been in Gurgaon for many years. I had read about it.
One of my friends asked me if we were interested. I said yes and we just went and really enjoyed the day.
My wife  thoroughly enjoyed and could shop many handcraft house hold decorative things.

I took some colourful pictures. 

It  was full of bright colours every where. 

If you want to shop good handicrafts items, jostle around with lots of people, relish good food, enjoy cultural programs, visit Surajkund Mela, take your family and friends. 

Beautiful wood carving   by one Hemantkumar from Kerala. The artisan was very curious if I were from a news paper. He was probably a little disappointed when I said no. But I told, his picture would appear on my blog, as if I have a billion followers.

As promised Here below is his image doing what he does best.

Huge Ganesha Idol wood carving, very special one with similar carving on back as well. 

Wooden carvings, from Tunisia. Lots of items, quite expensive, claimed that they are made of Olive tree.

The jugs, the pots, chess board what not......huge collection.

Another wood carving of a Hindu goddess, below is the another Ganesh idol in laid back posture.

A group of "Kat Putli " artists performing, proudly displaying their awards including a Guinness Record.

I saw their images on the earlier Mela as well. I believe they take pride in showcasing their performance in the Mela every year and hopefully they will be able to continue to keep the art form live for coming generations too.

One of the Kat Putli artists with a bright Pagdi.

Another artist who willingly posed for me with a smile.

He was no performer I guess. He was proudly showing off his moustache and Tricolor Pagdi.

Hooka person was delighted to pose for me.

What a mesmerising Radha Krishna Idol, made of Brass. I just could not take my eyes off. Too good.

Whole lot of brass and copper, stone items on the sale. Huge collections. Beautiful artefacts.

Artificial fashion Jewellery at its best, I would say. So colourful and good.

Ear Rings

Variety of necklaces, bracelet, bangles, ear rings, .............................I can not explain.

Very colourful light shades.

A Jumki. Very nice one.

You will witness colour everywhere. Look any where, you will be looking at colours only. Below pictures show the colours of Surajkund Mela.

It is real Mela in true sense.

There were many performers with ethnic costumes, local musical instruments, and dancing  at different places of the fair.  Anyone could join them at will and dance all the way.

Below is a beautiful metallic artistic jug from Morocco

Here below is a smart guy who dressed up the colorful Pagdi (Turban) to any one who wished to , of course at Rs.100/- each. If you want a take away of the Pagdi, then it costs Rs.300.

Me, below, I had my turban wish fulfilled. 

Watchful Security

Lots of people, Lots of food stalls  

                                                     Kullhad ki Kulfi, Colorful Pan.

Last words:

Entry fee Rs.120 on week days, 180 on weekends. 50% discount for senior citizens.

The arrangements to maintain cleanliness and security was evident and much appreciable. 

Every year the show is based on a state theme. This time it was the state of UP.

Countries like Kenya, Morocco, Uzbeksthan, Kazaksthan, Srilanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Tunisia show case their handicrafts and artefacts.  There were some more countries. I forgot to note down. 

Surajkund Mela - what gets etched in my mind is bright colours of our India, truly, literally.