Offbeat Goa :)

Reason to Smile: The joblessness no matter how critical it may seem doesn't affect my travel life. There is nothing more that I can love about that. This time I got another chance to visit Goa. I was fortunate enough to explore those parts of Goa that I had not visited. I was there for a week and let me try and list them for my memories.

• Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in South Eastern Goa.  It constitutes one of the vital corridors of the Western Ghats and covers an area of 211.05 km. Netravali or Neturli is an important tributary of River Zuari, which originates in the sanctuary. Forests mostly consist of moist deciduous vegetation interspersed with evergreen and semi-evergreen habitat. It is adjacent to Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, Karnataka on the eastern side, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa on the southern side and Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park on the northern side which in turn forms a contiguous protected area along with Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa and Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. The Netravali falls /  Savari Waterfalls is located in the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in Sanguem taluka, East of Goa. A walk through the sanctuary takes you to a picturesque view of the source of the waterfall. When the summer heat becomes unbearable, nature lovers trek to the perennial Savari waterfall which is really a memorable experience. Savari is a small hamlet in Neturli or Netravali village of Sanguem, which got its name on account of an indigenous species of tree called Bombax ceiba, locally known as Savari. It is the only perennial waterfall among-st the rest of the falls in the sanctuary. Other reduce to a trickle after the monsoon wanes. One has to trek about 3 kms and descend to the waterfalls located inside the sanctuary. 
  

• Palolem Beach is situated in Canacona in southern Goa, India. The beach attracts many international tourists, mainly during the winter season between November and March. It is considered to be one of the region's most beautiful beaches. Palolem Beach is largely unspoiled and is inhabited by both local fishermen and by foreign tourists who live in shacks along the shore or in the main village itself. It is about one mile (approximately 1.61 km) long and is crescent-shaped; one can view the entire beach from either end. Both ends of the beach consist of rocks jutting out into the sea. The depth of the sea increases gradually, being shallowest at the northern end of the beach, making it safe for average swimmers, and the currents are not fast.
  

• Morjim is a Census Town in Pernem, Goa, India; it is situated on the northern bank of the Chapora River estuary. It is home to a variety of birds and is a nesting site for Olive ridley sea turtles. The village has become known as "Little Russia" because of the concentration of Russian immigrants living there. 
  

• Ashwem beach is in North Goa, between Morjim and the Mandrem beach. It is a part of a long stretch of sandy shore that starts from the banks of the Chapora River, in the south, and extends all the way to Ashwem. Also referred to as Ashvem, it is 31 kilometers from Panaji via the NH 66 and is 54.7 kilometers from Vasco da Gama. Ashwem is very close to some other fantastic beaches of North Goa. Morjim, another nesting site of the Olive Ridley turtles, is just 2.8 kilometers away. Arambol is 6.9 kilometers further north. Vagator is half an hour by road. Just beyond Vagator is Anjuna. Even Baga, Calangute, and Candolim are not too far away. Many like to set up base at Ashwem as it is a peaceful place, and go on day trips to these north Goa beaches. The beach at Ashvem is wide and desolate. It is actually part of the same stretch of sand that runs from the Chapora River in the south, and ends here, but Ashwem by itself is 1.5 kilometers long. First there is Morjim beach, then there is Marbela beach, and finally Ashwem beach, and then after a gap and a creek meeting the sea, there is Mandrem beach. Ashwem is mostly sandy, but in some parts, you can see volcanic rocks on the beach. The rocks shaped by shellfish, have a unique shape. 
  

• Kala Academy is an interesting world of art and culture which is surely bound to hold your attention the moment you step in. If you are an art connoisseur or even someone who just wants to have a good look at Goan culture through paintings or handicrafts, Kala Academy is the place for you. You will notice that the building’s architecture, which is done by the famous architect Charles Correa, is a masterpiece in itself. Its lush gardens, elegant benches and a sweeping view of the adjoining landscape is a visual treat. The place has paintings from some famous artists like Paritosh Sen, Chavda, Gopal Adivarekar, Paritosh Sen, Laxman Pai, Hebber and Bendre. Kala Academy plays a perfect host to the International Film Festival of India, showing 3 to 4 screenings every day during the festival. There is an exclusive library as well which boasts of having a wide range of transparencies, musical spools, reference material and books in its collection. 
  

• The Salaulim Dam: Mid-way through the monsoon season i.e. roughly towards the end of July, Salaulim Dam that lies at the Southern edge of Goa near Netravali wildlife sanctuary starts overflowing. And overflowing waterfalls steep down into the Salaulim river. At this point in time, it deserves to be the top attraction in Goa. An Earthen dam with a semi-circular groove lets directs the excess water through this groove and what a sight it is to see. The dam is a kilometer or so long and you can take a leisurely walk on it. In the middle is this semi-circular outlet that falls at a height of some 50 ft or so at the first level and then another 100 feet or so into the river below. The waterfalls with so much force that it goes up in the air like smoke and falls back on the dam like rain. From a distance, it looks like mist or maybe steam rising from the basin of the dam. With not many people around and greenery all around, this is a sight to be savored. 
  

• Arvalem Caves: Apart from beautiful beaches, Goa has a lot to offer; caves being one such gem. Caves in Goa narrate the story of artistic past. There are about 25 manmade caves which have been uncovered here. One of the most ancient structures in Goa, the rock cut Arvalem caves are situated in Bicholim town in the northern part of the state. Locals believe that these ancient caves once served as refuge homes to the Pandavas of Mahabharata during their exile. The presence of five compartments in the caves gives a strong indication that these were once the residences of the Pandavas. On the contrary, another theory says that the Arvalem Caves in Goa are of Buddhist origin. Housing of a huge Buddha statue in its premises, strongly supports the statement. Despite such contradictions about its origin, the caves does not fail to intrigue visitors. The architecture of these edifices is simple but appealing. With the whole of the structure cut out of Laterite stone, the caves are contemporaries to the other famous ones in Goa. Besides admiring the caves, tourists also have the luxury of exploring a Rudreshawar temple and waterfall in its vicinity.  
  

• Rivona Caves also known as Pandava caves, Rivona caves are situated in a small village in South Goa. It is believed that these caves were the creation of Buddhist monks. A part of the historical tour of Goa, Rivona caves are amongst the major tourist attractions in the state. One of the finest examples of Buddhist influence in the state of Goa, the Rivona caves boast of laterite carvings in its structure. The carving in the form of Pitha, which is supposed to be the seat of the teacher, is highly captivating.  Looking at the Buddhism influence in the design and  architecture of the caves plus the ambience and serenity, the Rivona caves in Goa witness a growing number of tourist population every year. 
  

• Rock Carvings Pansaimal: Goa has been an inhabited area from time immemorial. The latest discovery to support this was made as recently as 1993 when the locals together with a team of archaeologists uncovered ancient rock carvings, which have been dated back to the Mesolithic period (about 10,000 years ago!) These rock carvings are open to the public although they are submerged during the monsoon season, and casts of them have been placed in the Goa museum. 
  

• Mahadev Temple is a transplanted temple originally located 17 kms south east of Kurdi Angod on the banks of river Salaulem. The construction of the dam across Salaulem had threatened the submergence of the temple. Hence it was systematically dismantled and reconstructed at a place providing similar topographical setting.  
  

• Chandor, originally known as Chandrapura, is a village in Salcete taluka, South Goa district, in the Indian state of Goa. It lies on the banks of the river Kushavati, 10 km (6.2 mi) east from Margao. Among the notable places to be visited in this Village like Nossa Senhora de Belem Church, James Chapel, Monte Church, Figuerado Mansion, etc;  the Braganza house is the best.  The Bragança House was built in the 17th century. This huge house is situated on one side of the village square. It has now been divided into two separate houses, with a common entrance. The east wing, occupied by the Pereira Bragança family, has a small chapel with a relic of St. Francis Xavier, which is a fingernail. The artefacts, collected by the family over a number of years, have added to the beauty of the house. There is a Great Salon, a large ballroom with the floor made of Italian marble, antique chandeliers from Europe adorning the ceiling, and heavily carved, ornate rosewood furniture. What stands out among the furniture is a pair of high-backed chairs, bearing the family crest, which was given to the Pereira Bragança family by King Dom Luís of Portugal. Most of the furniture dates back to the 18th century and is made from local seeso (martel wood), lacquered or inlaid with mother of pearl by craftsmen from Curtorim village. For antique aficionados, the house holds many delightful finds. The west wing of the house belongs to the Menezes Bragança family. Apart from its exquisite furniture and Chinese porcelain from Macau, it also houses a collection of family portraits, dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The library is believed to be the first private library in Goa. It has almost 5,000 leather bound books in Portuguese, English and French collected by Luís de Menezes Bragança (1878–1938) a reputed journalist, renowned for the part he played in Goa’s independence movement. 
  

The entire album of many pics of all the places mentioned above have been uploaded on FB :)

Till my next adventure dive, Stay Tuned and Keep Smiling :)