The Monsoon Magic In Goa
Lashed with strong winds, heavy rains, the beautiful blue sky with pools of black clouds, trees dancing to the music of the winds, the monsoons are at its peak between june and september. The average rainfall is approximately 325 cms, the average daily hours of sunshine is three to five hours during the monsoons, thus monsoons providing Goa a much needed respite from the heat and an opportunity to just laze around.
After the long dry afternoons of May, with the first showers of rain coming along, the smell of wet earth is welcoming, filling up your lungs and giving you a sense of contentment. The scenery is pleasant with green paddy fields spread across miles and nature seems to be breathing a new life.
So take your family and make a trip out of it, because Goa is at its best during the monsoons. One of the best reasons to visit Goa is the vibrant festivals that take place. The most popular festival, ‘sao-joao’ (the fertility feast of saint John the Baptist), is celebrated in late June and involves the interesting feat of men jumping into overflowing village wels to retrieve bottles of local ‘feni’ alcohol. The younger generation can go for parties held during this time. The feasts of saint Peter and Paul, at the end of june, sees people sailing up a river on rafts performing plays and songs. In late August, the carnival like Bonderam flag festival is held on the tiny Divar island, off the coast from Panaji. Ganesh Chaturthi is also observed in Goa. Till these festivals come along, do not just sit and wait! Besides the awe-inspiring and strikingly beautiful beachs, Goa is also gifted with lakes, waterfalls and springs of unmatched beauty.
Some of the waterfals you can visit, Arvalem waterfall with an altitude of 70 feet is located at Arvalem, about 2 km from Sanquelim and 8 km from Bicholim, in Valpoi taluka, North Goa. It falls in a straight drop and is in its highest glory during the monsoon season.
The fall looks stunning with the thunderous gush of water cascading down the rocky terrain of the mountain behind it. In the vicinity of this picturesque site is the 5th century Rock Cut caves called the “Aravalem Caves” also known as the Pandava caves, named after the 5 Pandava brothers of the epic “Mahabharata”. The Shree Rudreshwar Temple is also located in the same place it and is a site of an annual Shivratri Zatra.
The Government has also developed a park from which the magnificent view of the waterfall can be relished delightfully. This secluded region with the astounding vista of the leaping waters in the laps of nature is an ideal destination for private picnics and bird watching.
Dudhsagar Waterfalls- springing from from a lofty height of 600m is located on the Goa-Karnataka border. It lies at a distance of 60 km from Panaji and 10 km from Colem Railway Station. The name of this waterfall evolves from the Konkani name for the falls, Dudhsagar meaning ‘sea of milk’. This is because froth is formed due to the speedy surge of water from the majestic heights. The fall looks stunning post monsoon as it ripples with bubbling foam-like water. The Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most interesting falls of India and the largest and highest fall of Goa. Nearby is the Tamdi Surla Temple built by the Kadambas.
Kesarval Spring is situated 22 km away from Panaji on Verna plateau off the Panaji-Margao highway. The spring is surrounded by tropical woodlands and swaying betel palms and emerges from the hard rocks.
The spring is in its full glory in the monsoons and looks fabulous, brimming with sparkling water. The word “Kesar-val” is derived from the Indian word for eagles that used to maintain a colony here among the afforested slopes. Steps were built in the 1950s below the hill as a stony zigzag track was the only route to reach the spring. It is a very popular spa, where people bathe in its water with a strong belief that the “healing waters” with magical curative properties will drive away all their ailments. Kesarval, with its rolling terraced hills, running down to the wooded countryside is a place where time is stagnant.
You can explore ecotourism, spice plantations and Mollem National park and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary to make most of the time. If you are an avid nature buff and verdant greenery is what soothes your eyes, then plan your detour during the monsoons from may to september. This is when nature flourishes, the rain brings refreshment and romance, and Goa takes on a more traditional flavour. Just go for a drive!
The rainy season is truly a magical experience. The beauty and grandeur is unparalleled. So get yourself a nice comfortable room at a knock down, off season price, with a cozy cup of coffee and sit by the window as you watch the dry lands get a new lease of life. Or just find one of the ‘gaddos’ that are lightly peppered all across Goa and grab a ‘chai’!
– innGOA.com
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RECOMENDED BY innGOA
Luis Marino Gomes Road, Calangute, India
Cuisines: European
Good for: Romantic, Groups, Business, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Dinner, Reservations, After-hours
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Pousada by the Beach
Holiday street,Gaura-vaddo,Calangute Goa | Calangute Bardez Goa, Calangute, India
Cuisines: Indian, Continental, Contemporary, Bar
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Reservations
Selfia Guest House – Majorda Beach
Price range: ₹ 1000 – ₹ 1,200
Features:Fully Furnished Guest House, Available In A/c Or Non A/c,
500m from the Majorda Beach, In house Bar and Restaurant.
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All Resorts Mentioned are walkable distance to beach, along with good hotel staff and food.
The Golden Palms Hotels and Spa
This place is exquisitely designed and has a class of its own. It manages to shun out the hustle bustle of the extremely crowded Calangute area but is still within a very accessible distance from the beach. Set in proper Modern amenites with kitchnett in rooms, this place is home away from home.
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Atlanta Beach Resort
Atlanta Beach Resort located at the secluded edge of the Calangute Beach, is the perfect place for a truly relaxing holiday in Goa. The Atlanta beach resort is just 500 mtrs away from Calangute beach in North Goa. Basic amenities include Air conditioner, TV with cable, Telephone with Direct Dialing STD ISD, Refrigerator, 24 Hrs Hot & Cold Water etc.