It’s truly amazing how most people bitten by the travel bug will go to all kinds of exotic places all over the globe. But they sometimes forget that India too has so many beautiful locations to visit. Goa, for example, has a multitude of gorgeous locations, all within driving distance, to check out. The drives to these places are also nothing short of fantastic! Netravali, in South Goa, with its wildlife sanctuary, waterfall and even a bubbling lake is one such place that sounds absolutely amazing.
Netravali
Goa has many places that one can easily do a road trip to. Everyone works hard during the week and lives for the weekends when they come around. So why not break away from the monotony and head to Netravali? Netravali is located approximately 80 kilometers from Panjim. It’s generally a two-hour drive to this particular destination and even though it’s quite a distance, the drive to Netravali is absolutely worth it.
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is also due a mandatory visit if you’re in the area. It covers a total area of approximately 212 square kilometers. Forests mostly consist of moist deciduous vegetation interspersed with evergreen and semi-evergreen habitat. The sanctuary is a vital corridor of the Western Ghats and is home to a lot of unusual and exotic flora and fauna. In fact, the entire area is filled with wildlife sanctuaries. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary lies 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. (Source: Wikipedia)
The sanctuary also is also home to a vast variety of animals, birds and even rare species of butterflies. Definitely, a paradise for people that are nature enthusiasts.
Savari Waterfall
Once you reach, you have to hike for approximately 3-4 kilometers to reach the Savari waterfall which is in the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. It really feels like you have stepped into another world.
While the hike is quite a strenuous one, your final destination makes it all worth it. The sound of continuous falling water lulls your senses and relaxes you right away. A two-tiered waterfall, at its base, is a relatively shallow pool, perfect for taking a dip in. You can visit at any time of the year but the best months are the summer ones just to get relief from the heat. And it’s always best to travel in a group, especially if you’re not familiar with the area or are visiting for the first time. Similarly with the Mainapi waterfall which is also located close by and is an equally difficult hike to make.
Netravali Lake
Netravali also boasts of a lake that does something quite unusual. It bubbles. The lake goes by names like Budbud, Budbudyachi Tali, and Bubble Lake. It’s pretty famous for this reason alone. According to the locals, these bubbles rise continuously to the surface in various places in the lake. Strangely enough, they also appear to respond to certain sounds and rise faster if you clap!
You can visit throughout the year as the bubbles don’t cease activity, however, its best to go there during the monsoons to get the full effect of the beautiful surroundings and the cool weather. The lake is open from 8 am to 8 pm each day.
There are various theories about the bubbles in the lake and their origins but none have been proved to date. It’s all a giant mystery. For more details, you can visit the GTDC page about Budbudyanche Taley.
After reading all this, can you honestly pass up an opportunity to check out Netravali and all it has to offer?
ItsGoa/JAN/KDGP
