JOIN USWhen one thinks of Goa, the first few things that come to mind are the sun-kissed beaches, sparkling seas and swaying coconut palms. But on a recent visit, I saw an extremely beautiful and rare side of the tiny state.
Mighty mountains carpeted with lush greenery of thick deciduous forests, and cradled amidst this breathtaking scenery is the spectacular Doodh Sagar Falls. Situated near the Goa-Karnataka border, in the Sanguem Taluka, this waterfall is counted among one of the tallest cascades in India.
Cascading down from a height of 600 metres, from the high peaks of the western ghats, the falls are located in the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. This four-tiered waterfall looks like an ocean of milk when it surges down the mighty mountains, splitting into three streams, before it finally drops down into a deep green pool, forming clouds of milky foam, thus justifying its name, Doodh Sagar. The captivating beauty of the falls is a sight to behold, especially in the rains, when it is in its full glory.
Situated just 60 km from Panjim, the capital city of Goa, Doodh Sagar Falls are easily accessible by rail as well as road. One can reach right up to the Doodh Sagar station, and then walk for a couple of kilometres. For the adventurous lot, trekking to Doodh Sagar is a major attraction. Though unsure of trekking, being in the company of some adventurous people, I too went for it. I decided to start my trek from Castle Rock station.
It is roughly a 15-km hike, and took me almost six hours to reach the destination. Although the trek was not easy, it was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience. Throughout the way, I had to walk on the railway tracks passing several dark tunnels. Whenever I heard the whistle of an approaching train, I had to just stand still, hugging the wall, until the train went speeding away close to me, just like a scene from an action movie. Even though there are a few guards strolling around the area, one really needs to stay alert to any approaching trains when inside the tunnels. I crossed a few bridges and saw a few small but picturesque waterfalls on the way. An occasional drizzle and the mist only added to the mystical charm of the pristine green mountains all around me.
And then finally the moment arrived, when I caught the first glimpse of the magnificent Doodh Sagar. The view was so marvelous that I just sat there, speechless, mesmerised by the beauty and the grandeur of this stupendous cascade, just soaking in the glory of the moment.