Dudhsagar Falls Goa, Location of Dudhsagar Falls, History of Dudhsagar Falls, Geographic Description of Dudhsagar Falls, About the trek of Dudhsagar Falls, Best time to Visit Dudhsagar Falls, How to Reach Dudhsagar Falls, About Tour Package of Dudhsagar Falls, Accommodation at Dudhsagar Falls.
About dudhsagar falls
Dudhsagar is one of the India’s tallest waterfalls having the height of 310 m (1017 feet) and an average width of 30 meters (100 feet). The fall of water from that height creates the illusion of a literally sea of milk falling from the top. Dudhsagar is a four-tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi River in the border of the Indian state of Goa and Karnataka. It is 60 km from Panaji by road and is located on the Madgaon-Belgaum rail route about 46 km east of Madgaon and 80 km south of Belgaum.
The falls is located in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park among the Western Ghats. The area is surrounded by a deciduous forests with a rich biodiversity. The falls are not particularly spectacular during the dry season but during the monsoon season however, Dudhsagar falls are fed by rains and form a huge force of water. Literally meaning “Sea of milk”, Dudhsagar falls shot to fame after being pictured in the recent Shahrukh Khan & Deepika Padukone starrer blockbuster, Chennai Express. It is a four step fall, over steep hills making it difficult to make tourist viewing platforms. One has to trek to be able to behold the beauty of this one.
Location
This waterfall is located in the Sanguem Taluka of Goa, and falls into the jurisdiction of the Goa Forest departments since it is a part of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. One can go by road or rail to Kulem railway station and then trek to the waterfall or hire a jeep with a driver to get closer in; however, there will still be a walk to reach the base of the falls.
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History
Dudhsagar literally means the ocean of milk. Here is the story that tells us how it got the name. The legend is that there was a lake in the Western Ghats. This is where a princess used to come for bathing every day with her friends. After the bath, they used to drink milk – as much as a jug of milk. One fine day as they were playing in the lake a young man passed by. He stopped to look at the maidens in water. The maidens to save their dignity poured the milk in a way that it created a curtain of milk. It is believed that since then the waterfall is flowing creating a curtain of milk.
Geographic Description
The river Mandovi, which is the main river of Goa, begins on the Deccan plateau in the state of Karnataka. Winding its way through the Western Ghats, this river plummets over the highest peaks on the border of Goa and Karnataka, thus forming the Dudhsagar falls. The waters form a deep green pool at the base of the falls, before continuing westward to join the Arabian Sea.
The Dudhsagar waterfall measures an impressive 310m (1017ft) in height and about 100ft in width. The waterfall splits into three streams as it pours over the near-vertical cliff face, thus forming a truly magnificent sight. This water fall is also known as Tambdi Surla to some of the local peoples.
The area around the falls is forested and falls into the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife sanctuary. There are a number of animals and birds that call this place home; and the keen observer may even be lucky enough to spot some. The roads to the falls are maintained by the Goa Forest Department, who charge visitors a nominal fee for entry and higher one for photography (Rs. 300 for a still camera and upto Rs. 5000* for professional equipment).
About the Trek
There has been a lot of hype of Dudhsagar trek being closed for the general public. The Dudhsagar railway trek has been officially closed for the general public but the trek to the Dudhsagar falls bottom is still open for all.
Trek from Castle Rock station is about 14 kms and about 12 kms from Kulem station. Both these routes require you to walk through winding railway tracks, walking into small waterfalls and cross dark tunnels. This is a very picturesque trek, the hill on all sides looks freshly covered in green. It takes around 4-5 hours to walk up.
The waterfall is visible towards the last 1 km. It is also the view that affords you the full view of the enormous waterfall, in it’s full glory. If you time it well, you can also see a train passing on the railway bridge underneath the waterfall. It is impossible to not marvel at the engineering skill needed to build a railway bridge in this difficult terrain. It is exhilarating to witness both technology and nature intertwine in such harmony. The surrounds were washed clean in the rain; taking in the freshness & beauty of everything around in the cool air refreshed my senses fully.
The waterfall in itself is quite magnificent up close. The grandeur of the gushing waterfall is awe inspiring. The trains that pass by slow down to let passengers enjoy the view. I stood outside with my back to the waterfall, looking onto the passing melee of excited faces flashing past one after another. Each face would have a curious expectant look which would turn into amazement upon catching a glimpse of the milky stream.
Best time to Visit Dudhsagar Falls
The best time to Visit Dudhsagar waterfalls is from the months of October to May. When the monsoon season is over, the water in the fall is in abundance. The route to reach Dudhsagar falls is simple amazing. It is so spectacular that you will fall in love with it. You can take bath in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. It is so chilling that you will enjoy to the core. Don’t wait, plan your Dudhsagar trip now.
How to Reach Dudhsagar Waterfalls
- Air:Panaji airport is the nearest airport to Dudhsagar, it is 60kms away from the waterfalls. Taxies and buses are available for commutation.
- Rail:Though there is a station called the Dudhsagar, no trains formally halt here. They stop for a minute to check with their technicalities, breaks etc as what follows is a high slope. The nearest station is Collem, taxies are available from there to the waterfalls which is at a distance of hardly 6kms. The train journey is most preferred due to the marvelous sight it offers to its passengers.
- Road:The NH4A highway leads to Dudhsagar. There are buses run by Goa tourism, Dudhsagar makes a prominent stop in the ternary. Other than this, private tour operators also run buses following specific or demanded itinerary covering fixed spots, of which Dudhsagar is one. Jeeps can be driven through the base of the water falls but only in the months from January to May as the water is low then.
Accommodation
The are resorts and guest houses available near Collem on the NH4A highway, it is however suggested that a tourist makes advance bookings, as one might have to search and negotiate prices depending on your budget. Other than this, there are also Private cottages available that are rented out to tourists, the plus of staying in these cottages is that you get to live in extreme proximity with nature and there are high chances to spot species of flora and fauna hardly seen or known otherwise.
About Tour Package
Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd is starting Dudhsagar Special tour which will be operated on regular basis from 30/10/2017 till 20/05/2018.
The tour will depart from Calangute/Miramar Residency at 6.30 am.
From Paryatan Bhavan at 7.00 am, collect passengers on the way from Old Goa Residency at 7.15 am & Farmagudi Residency at 7.30 am.
Day: Daily
Rate: Rs.2000/-per head (Inclusive Snacks/Water bottle, Lunch, Life jacket & Entry Fee ) AC Coach/Innova/Jeep/Wagon R/Ertiga (subject to passengers)
*Please note, rates are not fixed and may be subject to change without prior notice.
Tips for going on a jeep safari to the Dudhsagar waterfalls
- You have to reach the ticket counter for the jeep safari in Kulem early in the morning.
- We started from North Goa at 6 AM. By the time we entered the sanctuary, some jeeps were already returning back from the Dudhsagar waterfalls.
- The Dudhsagar waterfalls close at 4.30 PM and tickets are not sold after roughly 2 PM.
- It’s best to have a pre-decided group of 7 before you buy your tickets so you don’t waste time waiting for your jeep to fill in.
- To avoid all this logistical management, we are glad we pre booked our jeep safari tour for the Dudhsagar waterfalls.
- Wear comfortable footwear on this journey as it involves a 15-20 minutes walk through the rocky forest patch.
- Life jackets are compulsory and should be worn before entering the pool at the Dudhsagar waterfalls.
- Women can feel free to wear a swimming costume inside the pool at the Dudhsagar waterfalls. Sketchy changing facilities do exist near the pool.
- Toilets are available inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Their cleanliness is a whole other topic, but the facility exists.
- Locker facilities are not available. If you need to take a camera, it’s security and safety (keeping it dry) is entirely your responsibility.
All the swimming and adventure of the river crossings meant our bellies were all fired up. We drove to a spice plantation that seemed hidden in the forest. A quick tour through the plantation and introduction to the spice trees later, we attacked the lunch spread. Fried mackerel, chicken curry and of course, the Goan feni were waiting for us.
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