Goa is one of the coolest and most happening places in the country. Either people visit there to have a completely chilled out and laid-back vacation, or they visit Goa for attending New Year parties. But for trekkers and nature-lovers, the recommended time to visit Goa is during the monsoon. Places like Dudhsagar Falls and Tambdi Surla Falls are more spectacular during the rainy season

But whether it is monsoon or not, if you have a long weekend ahead and you stay somewhere not too far, like Hyderabad, Mumbai or Bangalore, then this should be your weekend destination. You will need one day each for visiting one waterfall.

All about Dudhsagar

Dudhsagar falls on which river? Know about its location and more.

It is located on the Mandovi river in Goa and is a tiered waterfall. To be more precise, it is located on the border of Goa and Karnataka and is a four-tiered waterfall.  From Colem Railway Station, it is at a distance of 10 km and from Panaji, the distance is 60km. Dudhsagar waterfalls springs from a height of 600m. 

The word ‘Dudhsagar’ literal translation is ‘Sea of Milk’ and the name suits this waterfall perfectly. The water cascades down so forcefully from a height of 1015 feet, that it looks milky white. Dudhsagar can easily be called as one of the most wonderful waterfalls of the earth. It is situated inside the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary of Goa. The forests of the Western Ghats are around the waterfalls. One can spot different animals and birds if they are observant.

The roads which lead to the waterfalls under the sanctuary are maintained by Goa Forest Department. The visitors have to pay a small fee as the entrance fee. If you are carrying a camera and professional photography equipment, the charges are different. 

It is on the divide or watershed of Mandovi River and that is why it can be unimpressive during the summer season. In monsoon though, the story becomes completely different. It turns into a powerful and gushing waterfall. During the rainy days, the water falls from the top covering about 1000 feet and the water falls down in full force and with a large quantity. Dudhsagar Waterfalls helps in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem in Goa.  At the base of the falls, there is a deep green pool which is formed from the water plummeting down the highest peaks on Goa’s border.

Facts about Dudhsagar Waterfalls and Mandovi river:

It is the 5th tallest waterfall of India. At 310m, it ranks 227th in the world. The total height of this four-tiered waterfall is 1017 feet (310 meters). The average width is 100 feet (30 meters). It is now also popular as the Chennai Express waterfall. Remember the scene where Shahrukh meets Deepika’s reel father in the movie Chennai Express? Yes, that gorgeous waterfall was this famous Dudhsagar falls. 

Mandovi river is also known as Mahadayi River and is Goa’s main river. The origin of the Mandovi river is in Karnataka on the Deccan Plateau. 

Legend behind the naming of Dudhsagar Waterfalls:

There’s an interesting story about how this waterfall got its name.  The tale is about the daughter of the King of the Ghats.  Naturally, she was a princess. She was not only extremely beautiful but was very modest too. She had an innocent soul who believed in the purity of human beings. There was a lake near her father’s castle and it is believed she bathed there daily. When she finished bathing, she and her personal maids would gather on the lake shore. Then she would drink a jug of milk everyday. It was a golden jug studded with shining diamonds.

On one faithful day, while she was drinking milk, a prince was passing by through the forest nearby. He was a handsome young man. The laughing and chattering of the females caught his attention. He decided to have a look and stopped moving.  As she was in her bathing attire and not fully-covered, the princess was very much ashamed. To save her from embarrassment and save her modesty, her maids started pouring milk in front of her in large quantities. Almost a curtain was formed behind which the princess wore her clothes. 

It is believed that this cascading milk which helped in saving the princess’ modesty is named Dudhsagar Falls.

How to reach Dudhsagar Falls?

Tourists have to deboard the train at Kulem or Collem railway station. Then they have to walk 11kms to reach Dudhsagar Waterfalls. Usually the walk takes two to three hours. If you have seen the well-known photograph of trains passing before a waterfall, you will be happy to know that it is none other than Dudhsagar Falls in the photo. It is located on the Belgaum-Vasco Da Gama rail route, which is 80kms from the south of Belgaum and 46kms from the east of Madgaon. Another outstanding feature of the Dudhsagar trek is that while hiking to reach the waterfalls, tourists will be able to see the whole stretch of the waterfalls. Though it is a long trek, the difficulty level can be said to be easy. 

Things to keep in mind:

Before going for the Dudhsagar trek to see nature’s masterpiece, you must be well-rested. Wake up early in the morning to start the exciting hike. Do not forget your hiking gear. Wear your hiking boots and track pants or track suits and be all ready! Because you will be leaving early in the morning, pack your breakfast with you. What an exciting walk it will be as you walk through mud trails, bridges, walk along railway tracks and amidst greenery!

You must not miss the Dudhsagar trip if you are a trekker from Hyderabad. You wouldn’t want to miss a scene which looks straight out of a movie or a storybook. Especially if you end up here during monsoon, you will feel the water of the falls is straight falling from the sky and hitting the western ghats. Of course the highlights of the trek to Dudhsagar are as mentioned above – hiking through thick rainforests, crossing streams and walking along railway tracks.

All about Tambdi Surla.

Where is Tambdi Surla? Know more about it.

Tamdi Surla is situated in the deep interiors of Goa and till now not many regular tourists know about it. You have to reach the base village of Tambdi Surla Waterfall as the trek starts from there. The waterfall is found beside an ancient temple and it is hidden amidst deep forest. The temple is a Mahadev temple and it is at the base of the waterfalls. One has to trek to reach the fall and it forms one thrilling trekking experience. The hike to Tambdi Surla falls is a 5km one. The terrain is uneven which makes the difficulty level of this trek medium. You should have protective gear too. Start trekking after breakfast so that you can return by lunchtime to your resort or accommodation.

From the temple, it takes about 90 to 120 minutes to reach the waterfalls. You must do the Tambdi Surla Falls trek if you want to visit the temple. Water of Tambdi Surla falls from a height of 50 meters and that too in a zigzag pattern. It offers an absolutely breathtaking view. 

As the waterfall is located deep in the forest, you will need a guide to help you. After the adventurous trek, on reaching the Tambdi Surla waterfalls, you might want to take a dip in the water. But be warned, the water is going to be cold or chilly! But you must take the trip to create some beautiful and everlasting memories. 

The uncharted trails and the beauty of nature, the serenity all around in the temple premise promises to be an enlightening experience for all tourists. Whatever ethnicity they belong to. 

Temple of Tambdi Surla:

A visit to the ancient temple of Lord Shiva is a must. True adventure seekers are always on the lookout for historical buildings having majestic architecture. It is a 13th century temple but is still for Hindus, it is still very much an active place for worshipping.. As soon as you put your feet inside the premise of the temple, you will be transferred into an enchanting world. You will be able to hear the twittering of the birds and the gurgle of the clear water flowing from the streams. 

What will catch your eyes immediately is the architecture of this temple. It is really different. The splendid and superb architecture of the temple and its religious significance is equally well-known. 

When and how was the temple built?

The temple was built during the rule of the Kadamba Dynasty. This temple is the only existing example of Kadamba-Yadava architecture. Hemadri, who was a minister of Ramachandra, the Yadava king built this temple  using basalt rocks in Hemadpanthi style. At  the sides of the temple and also in the interiors, you will find detailed carvings. Skilled artisans have worked strenuously on adorning the walls of the temples. The sides of the temple and the interiors exhibit that clearly.

Because it is located at such a remote place and is covered with forests, the temple is believed to have survived even after being present during many turmoils and invasions. The beauty of the temple is intact and it has not lost its charm even to this date. You will find not only the figure of Lord Shiva but also of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu here. The carvings on the walls depict different stories. In the middle of the temple, you will see the headless Nandi.The Tambdi Surla temple is an east-facing temple and when the sun rises, the rays fall on the idol first. It is a scene which can never be forgotten. And the sound of the water flowing is the water of the river Surla. It flows beside the temple.

An accommodation for your trip:

If you are planning to go there and thinking about where you can stay, you can book your room in Nature’s Nest Resort. It is a resort under the Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park. Whether you want to visit the temple or view the waterfalls, they can provide you with required help or assistance. 

How is the Trek to Tambdi Surla Waterfalls noteworthy? More about the trek route.

The winding roads through the jungles makes the hike towards the waterfalls an adrenaline-filled walk. While you are walking towards your destination, you might spot snakes or other reptiles. You can see small animals too. What you will definitely see are butterflies and birds of different colours.  You will definitely be attracted by these beauties of nature.  Also the walk from the temple to the waterfalls isn’t quite difficult. Though it is a long hike, you will not feel tired easily. The fresh air will be a constant rejuvenating factor. You will also be able to see the water from the streams flowing and the whole landscape will capture your heart. As previously mentioned, you will encounter multiple river streams. 

If you are on the trek during monsoon, you have to be there when the rain falls. You will be transported to a lush green world. The complete route and the background gets washed with rain and turns all shades of green! The river streams also flow with more water, adding to the whole experience. Throughout your trek, you will hear the gushing of water. And then when you finally reach, you are going to be so awestruck, even after reading all about the amazing Tambdi Surla waterfall. It will be a surreal experience! 

Got a few off-days from work but no time to plan things individually? Book a trip with us and you will be all smiles even after reaching home. When you will be returning home after your trekking, when you are on the train, you would want to call up and fill them up with everything you had experienced in the last couple of days. And of course you can make all of them jealous when they see some amazing photographs of your Dudhsagar Waterfalls and Tambdi Surla Trek filling up their social media feeds!