Wanderlust Tales : The mighty falls,The Dudh Sagar Falls, Goa
DAY 2
After the visit to the Arvalem Caves and Arvalem Falls, we headed straight to the Dudh Sagar Falls.
A ride of 2 hours in a bike - definitely your back gets all fussy. It was not an easy ride for me especially the severe back ache that I had post return - God save me. Adventure ke naam pe yeh bhi kar liya!! 😁
Such long rides must be attempted comfortably in a car or bus.
You need to plan a full day for the visit here - keep sufficient time to visit the falls - start early.
HOW TO GET HERE:
From the Arvalem Falls, it is at a driving distance of about 60 km. More or less, these are straight roads over the SH. Google maps are your perfect dost - guiding you aptly.🙇
Mind you there are no eateries on the way - thankfully there are petrol bunks but at farther distances from each other. Make sure, your tanks are full before you start.😥
The roads are pretty scanty - not many riders on the roads. These roads seemed cut through dense jungles - make sure you are riding in groups especially post-dawn, as there is a huge huge scarcity of street lights on these roads.
It is located in the Sanguem Taluka of Goa.
Mind you there are no eateries on the way - thankfully there are petrol bunks but at farther distances from each other. Make sure, your tanks are full before you start.😥
It is located in the Sanguem Taluka of Goa.
TIMINGS:
09:00 to 17:00
Preferable time to visit is from October to May.
Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most scenic and majestic waterfalls of the country. True to its name, it is indeed a Sea Of Milk, with water gushing down at such force that creates an illusion of it being milky white.😍 One would find themselves awe-struck.😄
Since we were on bikes, we parked our vehicle in the nearest available parking lot - there are plenty of parking lot guys trying to lure you to park in their space - choose the one closest to the jeep trail counter. You will find plenty full of refreshment shops, dining places - so go light on food before you take the ultimate rough ride - better late than sorry. 😀
There is a temple that we saw on the way - it is the only temple in the area and the villagers hold quite a regard for the temple. The villagers, however, do not have to procure the gate pass to pay a visit to the temple - they are exempted.
Preferable time to visit is from October to May.
DUDHSAGAR FALLS
Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most scenic and majestic waterfalls of the country. True to its name, it is indeed a Sea Of Milk, with water gushing down at such force that creates an illusion of it being milky white.😍 One would find themselves awe-struck.😄
The falls are the fifth highest waterfall situated at a height of 310 m. It is a four-tiered waterfall on the Mandovi River, lying on the border of Karnataka and Goa.
The falls shot to fame - after the dramatic Chennai Express scene when Deepika Padukone steps from the train in the middle of nowhere. The movie has managed to capture the astounding beauty aptly.
The only means to reach the closest to the falls is via trekking or the jeep trail. The jeep trail is closed during the monsoon to avoid any accidents.
The jeep trail is absolutely enthralling - lush green forest, mucky heavy flowing streams - all of it is an experience in itself. The jeep crossing a segment of the water stream is a total adrenaline rush feeling - with water sometimes entering the jeep - at one point you are excited about the experience and on the other hand, you are wishing(at least I was wishing 😉) that I am not thrown by the flow of water.🙅
Dudh Sagar Falls are in the Bhigwan Mahaveer National Park. It is a drive of 13 to 14 km from the pickup point to the drop off point. It is one hell of a bumpy and a rough ride over the red paths and the streams.
You pass through bio-diversified dense jungles - although we did not find any wild animals - the place is definitely not for the faint-hearted post darkness.😱
Hats off to the sturdy Mahindra jeeps - pacing to and fro like a pro.
The last ride to the falls is by 15:00/16:00 hours - depending on the weather.
The jeep trail can be booked from the authorized counters - anybody can direct you till there. A total of 6 people are accommodated in the jeep excluding the driver.
Jeep: Rs. 2800
Gate Pass: Rs. 50/head
Life jacket: Rs.30/head
Camera charges are extra
Since we were on bikes, we parked our vehicle in the nearest available parking lot - there are plenty of parking lot guys trying to lure you to park in their space - choose the one closest to the jeep trail counter. You will find plenty full of refreshment shops, dining places - so go light on food before you take the ultimate rough ride - better late than sorry. 😀
Post your venture, it would be apt to gorge on all the seafood available here - although not of the utmost taste - but at least filling. 😣
The driver was very helpful with information - he told us how the jeep drivers are recruited only from the village which ensures employment of the folks from the village and there is no story of tourists being cheated. Also this way, they don't allow outsiders to settle in the village and the trust and balance is maintained.👌
There are a total of 225 jeeps allowed to enter each day.
The forest reserve is a plastic and smoke-free zone - at the gate post where the gate pass is issued to each person - they have a thorough check-up.
Eatables are not allowed inside though you can carry water bottles - but you must not litter.
In an attempt to keep the place plastic free, we noted a lone person doing all the clean up of the rags, plastic bottles and wrapper collection - we should avoid such inhuman behaviour.
Take responsibility for your own garbage - stop littering. 👏
There is a temple that we saw on the way - it is the only temple in the area and the villagers hold quite a regard for the temple. The villagers, however, do not have to procure the gate pass to pay a visit to the temple - they are exempted.
And there is one single shop which sells water and drinks at a higher price - but something is better than nothing.💀
The drivers drop you off at the dropping point and from here it is a walk of a km or so to reach the bed of water from the cascade of the waterfall. There is a timer ticking of 2 hours - post which there are extra waiting charges.
But trust me, 2 hours is more than enough time to spend here.
First off is the watchtower - to witness the gigantic falls. Next go for the km walk and to discover the mini fall - and the place is thronged literally - people clicking pictures, enjoying the warm waters. You are not allowed in the water without a life jacket.
Last time I was here, I did not find any lifeguards - seems like some unfortunate incidents have forced them to have these rules and people in place.
And from here you are welcomed by the mighty Dudhsagar falls falling unrestrained in between the rocky mountains. 💙
Another charismatic marvel is the railway bridge built at the height - which is just such a marvellous feat - with a waterfall backdrop and the train running - nothing else can be more scenic than this. Epic!👌
MYTH/LEGEND:
Just read over the internet about a myth about how the name was given - there was once a princess, daughter of the King of Ghats.
The beautiful modest lady that she was, used to bathe in the lake near to her father's castle. After her bath, she and her handmaidens would congregate along the shores of the lake, while the princess drunk a jug of milk - which is said to be made of pure gold and imbibed with sparkling diamonds.
On one such day, when the princess was consuming the milk - there happened to be a prince in the woods passing by.
Hearing the chatters and giggles of the ladies, he was drawn to come close the lake. The princess who was in a minimal bathing attire was shaken - her handmaiden were quick to pour the milk from the jug to create a curtain which allowed the princess to don her clothes and hence the name - Dudh Sagar.
Interesting!😊
Just sink in the enormous glory of the sight and listen to the sound of water - truly, it is an experience like no other.
MUST HAVE/DO:
- Shades
- Sunscreen
- Flip Flops/trekking shoes
- Extra pair of clothes
- Towel
- Sanitizers
- Avoid getting expensive things along - jewellery, phones
- Water bottles
GOA DIARIES:
PICTURES:
We took plenty of pictures against this backdrop.
Reached Dudhsagar:
Collecting the gate pass:
The ride:
The roads:
VIDEOS:
This bridge where we had a stopover for a quick click of pictures - but damn the bridge was so eerie. Every time a vehicle passed, we could feel the jitters - it was trembling.
Our drive till the falls:
~Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! 😊
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