When we travel we are searching for a second home for our soul. We stop at a place where our Soul connects to the Soul of that place.
Monsoon has already arrived and Goa is not going to be the usual for the next few months. Goa is not at all in the list of monsoon destinations in India. It’s that time when water sports and most of the shacks are shut and tourists are warned not to venture to the beaches. So what do we do now in Goa? To experience the adventure and the thrill Goa has to offer us during monsoons. Goa in the months of monsoon gives us a totally different experience. The lovely weather, driving on the narrow winding roads, exploring the many forests, trekking to the waterfalls, getting immersed in the architecture of many historical monuments, chilling on those secluded beaches waiting for us. It’s all about expecting the unexpected and getting into the adventure mode. During monsoon Goa is not at all about the regular beaches, booze, bikinis and parties it is known for. It’s for some of those offbeat places which gets life only in the monsoon and a few of those places whose beauty is enhanced by the change in the surroundings by the lovely rains.
6 Off-Beat things to do in GOA this Monsoon.
1) Enjoy the Cascading Waters of Dudhsagar Waterfalls
Dudhsagar as the name speaks out is an “Ocean of milk”. Dudhsagar Waterfalls is located in border of Goa and Karnataka on the Mandovi River. Dudhsagar Falls is listed as India's fifth tallest waterfall and is 227th in the world at 310 m. The water plummets hundreds of meters from over a thousand feet in large volumes during the rainy monsoon season, forming one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in Goa Karnataka border. The area is surrounded by a deciduous forest and many species of birds, insects, plants and animal abound here. The monsoon not only brings the bigger falls to life but also gives birth to a number of beautiful smaller falls in the way. Until last year the trek to the falls through the rail-route was one of the best experiences of monsoon trekking in India. I had done that lovely trek in 2014 but sadly the rail-route approach to the falls is banned now, but no need to worry as you can hop on to a jeep from Kulem and go right to the base of the waterfalls through the dense Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary. Per person cost for the jeep to the waterfalls is Rs400 and a small additional cost for the life-jackets. Adjectives will fail to describe the amazement and awe that will run through your veins as you stand watching the mighty Dudhsagar falls. Much of it just can’t be explained or penned down, you have to be here during monsoons to sulk into the beauty of nature at its ultimate bliss.
2) Go GOA Rafting on Mahadei River
This is yet another adventure Goa has in offer for Monsoon travelers. When the rafting season is closed elsewhere, Mahadei river calls all the adventure seekers to its beautiful waters running through dense forest. A 10km run on easy class 2 to 3 rapids and a few big waves and rapids will give you the much wanted thrill of excitement. Rafting during monsoon is just amazing. Dense Forest on both the sides, dark clouds above and beautiful rains just adds to the amazement and gives us a spectacular and a picturesque experience which can never be forgotten. It will make you fall in love with nature and you will surely thank god for creating such a beautiful place. Every year Goa tourism department specially organizes rafting during monsoon and per person cost is also very economical at Rs.1500. It’s for adventure lovers, it’s for water babies, it’s for the love of nature, and it’s for the daring adventurers. Simply amazing and a heavenly experience awaits you this monsoon in Goa.
3) Visit the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple
Tambdi Surla Mahadev temple is one of the oldest temples of Goa that survived from the Portuguese invasion as it was set next to a stream in the middle of the small clearing, hidden in the dense jungle. The temple is around 65kms from Goa’s capital Panaji. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. It is built in the Hemadpanthi style from the finest weather-resistant grey-black basalt. It is considered to be the only specimen of Kadamba-Yadava architecture in basalt stone preserved and available in Goa. The temple has been declared as a protected historical monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. There is a linga of Lord Shiva mounted on a pedestal inside the inner sanctum and local legend has it that a huge King Cobra is a permanent residence in the dimly lit interior. The temple sits snugly in the midst of a green lawn, by the banks of the river surla. The area around the temple is covered with beautiful lush green grass during monsoon. The green grass and the grey-black basalt temple beautifully complement each other and the view is just a delight to our eyes. The calm surroundings will give you an extreme peaceful and serene experience and behold you in the beauty of the contrasting structure and greenery around.
4) Trek to the Tambdi Surla Waterfalls
Tambdi Surla Waterfalls is located deep inside dense forest. It’s about 90 minutes walking distance from the Tambdi Surla Mahadev temple, a popular attraction to both domestic and foreign tourists. The trail to the waterfall begins on the left of the entrance to the temple complex. A tiny path marks the humble beginning of the trek to the wonderful waterfalls. The trek to the falls is filled with lot of excitement and encountering a variety of species of reptiles and wild animals. The trail to the falls is through dense forest crossing a few streams and enjoying the sightings of the beautiful nature and its numerous creatures. At the end of the trek awaits you a beautiful waterfalls descending water from around 50 meters height and you will be surely humbled and the alluring sight will make you feel like in heaven.
5) Head to the Chorla Ghats
Chorla Ghat is around 50kms from Panjim the capital of Goa. It’s a tropical forest in the western ghats region and now a eco-tourism destination. It’s located right on the north-eastern side of the Goa-Karnataka-Maharashtra borders. The road trip to this tropical forest is an experience you will never forget. The road to Chorla ghat is a scenic road that connects Goa to Belgaum. There are lots of small streams that form by the road during monsoon and the amazement of driving on this scenic route will be registered on your mind for a lifetime. There are many waterfalls around the area, the main ones being the twin Sakla-Vajra waterfalls and the Chorla falls. Explore the forests, do bird watching, butterfly watching and just enjoy a completely cut off and nature centric feel. The Wildernest resort which is located in the forests of Choral Ghat is an amazing option for stay and to un-wind from the routine of our boring urban lives. At the Wildernest resort enjoy the nature at its best sipping a hot cup of coffee and watching the cascading waters of twin Sakla-Vajra Waterfalls.
6) Drive to the Ladkyacho Vozar Waterfalls
The name of this waterfalls “Ladkyacho Vozar” translates to “Falls of the Beloved”. Deep in the Western Ghats range at an elevation of about 2600feet above sea level in northeast Goa is perched its highest village called Surla. Access to this remote village is through a steep climb up the winding mountain pass of Chorla Ghat. There are expansive views to be had from the lookout here, and the vistas are especially high on drama during the monsoons when the romance of water and wind is at its peak. The view of this waterfall from the cliff is breathtaking. To view this waterfall you can drive your vehicle straight to a view point to view this beautiful waterfall.
When we travel we are searching for a second home for our soul. We travel to make friends out of strangers and to built never forgettable memories and bond with the new place. And yes Goa is like a second home for many of us & after all this adventure, exploring and off-beat experiences we still have time to relax on our very own lovely beaches and say cheers like we always do when in GOOOAAAAAAAAAA... ;) <3