[laluks]

Goa!

What is it that this small wonderful state has that attracts almost everyone?

Beaches - Yes
Backwaters - Yes
Ghats - Yes
Wild Life - Yes
Waterfalls - Yes
Temples - Yes
Food - Yes, its heaven for sea food lovers

and much much much more....

and of course petrol is cheaper too




We had travelled extensively the entire coastal line of Goa multiple times. At the drop of a hat a trip to Goa gets decided. No one ever raises a slightest fuss- Goa? Let us go. We are always ready for Goa. Our previous trips to Goa can be read here http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...mangalore.html So what's it about Goa this time for us. Its peak monsoon, its pouring all around. Yes, that's the time to go to Goa for its famous waterfall - Dudh Sagar.




Dudh Sagar (Sea of Milk)

Dudh Sagar Falls is a multi layer (4 tiered) waterfall on River Mandovi. It is located in Goa, near the border of Goa with Karnataka. It is nearly 60KM form Panaji and 90 KM from Belgaum.

During monsoons the falls are a real wonderful sight to see. It could easily turn into one of the furiest and powerful falls in India during monsoons.

Dudh Sagar is India's fifth highest waterfall at 310m, and for a comparison the famous falls like Meenmutty in Wayanad, Kerala is at 300m and Jog falls in Karnataka is at 253m. The highest one Kunchikal Falls is at 455m in Shimoga, Karnataka. The data of the highest falls in India is here List of waterfalls in India by height - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Dudh Sagar Falls is located in Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary at Collem in South Goa. The roads that lead up to the falls are maintained by Goa Forest Department, which is closed till October due to monsoons.

I was intrigued as to why the falls were called Dudh Sagar. There is an interesting story behind this.




The Legend of Dudh Sagar Falls

Once upon a time there was a big palace in the forest near a lake. There lived a beautiful princess. She loved to take bath in the lake near to the palace and after bath she used to drink sweetened milk from her golden jug. One day while drinking the milk from her golden jug, she found that she was being watched by a prince from top of a tree. She was embarrassed since she was scantly clothed after her bath. She poured the jug of milk in front of the prince which formed a curtain to hide her body, while the maids covered her with dress. It is believed that the white cascades of water (symbolising sweetened milk) that falls down the slope are a tribute to the Princess virtue and modesty. Hence the falls is named Dudh Sagar.





More Information about Dudh Sagar Dudhsagar Falls - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dudh Sagar Falls showing all layers

Copyright belongs to Wikipedia, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../DudhSagar.jpg

[laluks]

It is monsoon, the road to Dudh Sagar maintained by Forest Department is closed. Is the only possible way trekking? If so it is nearly 14Km to walk through the railway tracks. With the kids its going to be tough. So a little bit of researching gave me the following options from Wikipedia

Trekking

Trekking in Dudh Sagar is a famous tourist attraction. There are 2 abandoned shelters for the refuge of trekkers (left to the falls and right side beside the railway track) however they are available on the first come first serve basis. Medical and pure drinking water facilities are not available around Dudh Sagar but one can approach the station guard at Dudh Sagar railway station in emergency. There are 4 possible routes to reach Dudh Sagar Falls, of which only two are accessible in monsoon.

Route 1 (Castle Rock Route)

This is the most famous route during the monsoon, Reach Castle Rock station and start a Scenic 14 km hike to Dudh Sagar Water falls along the railway track, it normally takes 5–6 hours for a normal person to reach.In this route we will be passing through a number of tunnels, a board reading "Welcome to Goa" and also great views of the Valley.

Route 2 (Kulem Route)

This is equally scenic but less popular as compared to Route 1, One has to get down at Kuhlem/Collem Railway station and walk towards the falls which is about 11 km away. It normally takes 4–5 hours for a normal person to reach. The famous photograph of Trains passing through before the waterfalls can be seen in this route, and also the complete stretch of the falls will be visible while you hike towards the waterfalls.

Route 3 (Transport + Hike)

In Kulhem one can hire a 4X4 to reach the foot of the Dudh Sagar waterfalls, There is a taxi stand called 'Dudh Sagar Taxi stand' where one can hire a vehicle and get dropped near the falls which is 1 km hike from the dropping point. This is used in the post-pre monsoon season and is suitable for large groups with kids and ladies.

Route 4 (Kuveshi-Dudhsagar)

This is the most adventurous route and cannot be attempted in monsoon since we have to cross Mandovi river during the hike. The hike starts from a village called Kuveshi around 10 km from Castle Rock railway station. The hike is through thick jungle and is difficult to complete without experience. By this we can reach Dudhsagar Railway station which is 1 km from the falls.

The options in front of me now were

1 . Drive to Castle Rock and trek from there. Some more research gave me ideas like trek all the way to Dudh Sagar falls, which may take upto 7 hours with my PPGs and many photo stops, and catch a train and return back to Castle Rock. There is a train which will return to Castle Rock by 17:30 on Saturdays. Difficult Proposition

2. Drive to Castle Rock, take a train to Dudh Sagar Falls. There is a train from Castle Rock by 10:15AM on Saturdays. Spend time near the falls and return back by 17:30 train. Easy Proposition, but no fun

3. Drive to Collem and check for 4x4 Jeeps. But during monsoon the forest road is closed. Impossible Proposition

4. Drive to Collem and trek 11KM to the falls. 11KM and with kids it might take 5 hours with photo stops. But return trains were not promising. Difficult and Risky Proposition

I was then told there were some bikers who would take you to the falls through the railway tracks for a cost. But was a very risky affair! But then what is fun without some risks. The idea that I toyed in my mind was we will have at least locals with us who knows the place and risks while we do this ride and trek on the tracks. So the idea was kind of frozen.

5. Drive to Collem. Hire bikes and ride and trek to the falls through the track. Incognito Proposition, unsure
(As I found out from the trip, this is illegal and Railways were creating enough hurdles not to allow this kind of rides through the tracks. As I know the local railway guys wanted a share of the revenue generated to allow this. They stopped the bikes for almost a week, and we were lucky to have made it that day. On return we found enough hurdles and it was mostly a trek back and not ride back! Hope there is a solution to this, else in monsoons reaching the place is only possible by trekking) -


So now that how to reach the falls is frozen, I needed to figure out a date to travel. I just came back from a trip to the Himalayas. You can read about that here http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...al-ghosts.html. This made applying additional leaves a big NO. So it meant only weekends.

So weekend 11th and 12th of August was decided. The plan was to drive out by Saturday early morning and return by Sunday night.

The Itinerary

11th August 2012, Saturday
01:00AM - Start from Bangalore
07:00AM - Belgaum (breakfast if required else skip it)
09:00AM - Castle Rock Railway Station (check out train details, place etc)
11:00AM - Collem (Take bike ride, do trek etc...)
05:00PM - Start from Collem to Belgaum
07:30PM - Reach Belgaum, Stay at Hotel Sankam, Dinner

Approximately 750KMs for the day


12th August 2012, Sunday
10:00AM - Start from Belgaum
01:30PM - Chitradurga - Lunch, if possible check Chitradurga fort
06:00PM - Reach Bangalore ( if Fort and other sight seeing then by 08:30PM)

Approximately 650Km for the day.


A total of 1400KM and 48 hours and 5 hours of trek. What a plan!!

[laluks]

Now that the dates were frozen, we were figuring out which car to take. Civic meant we can blaze the highway and reach fast. Swift meant have some fun on the ghat roads and have some mud bashing with no care nor concern. I was for Civic and Wifey for the Swift.

Meanwhile our friend LukeSkyWalker had invited me for an "Experience the Aria" Programme which meant I could use the Aria for a couple of days to feel the car as I own one. And the slot for me fell on 11th and 12th of August!! Wow -this means we can take Aria for the drive.

So this drive was done on a Tata Aria 4x4 Prestige.





My impressions about the Aria is here http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...ml#post2872375


I will be concentrating only on the travelogue and Dudh Sagar as a destination in this thread.

[laluks]

Day 0
10th August 2012

Aria was delivered home as promised by 18:00 hours. Took for a small spin and got familiar and was set for the drive.

Aria was only 4650 KM old


Fuel in the tank showed a range of 465 km, that meant Hubli.


Only think I wanted was my GPS, fitted that in the car and were chit chatting with the PPGs about the drive. No body wanted to sleep, since we were starting by 01:00AM. So decided to watch a movie till then.

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

We were all set to roll out by 12:30AM. I dumped the bag into the boot and switched on the ignition.

The dash looked hi fi with a lot of warning lamps


We are starting the drive, trip log set


Somewhere along the way at 05:00 AM, after 348KM from home, Aria crossed a milestone 5K


Just after reaching Hubli I stopped for refuelling. Continued on towards Castle Rock. Took the Khanapur Castle Rock route just before Belgaum.

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

I stopped at a nice location on the Khanapur - Castle Rock Road to get some rest from my all night drive. It was 08:30AM.




The air was fresh, and rains have added to the beauty of the surroundings. Was almost fully refreshed with the few minutes of fresh air


It was just us on this road till now




Aria definitely looks good too





PPGs had very nice sleep since they got the last two rows for themselves.


They look happy


We drove on after some rest. I was all charged up


He was the first guy whom I met on this road till now


continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

Castle Rock Railway Station was just another 6KM


We were cautioned about the Ghat roads




The roads were beautifully green






Aria was definitely enjoying the drive


Miles to go


Dark roads!




continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

We reached Castle Rock by 09:45AM.


Some coaches were resting on the tracks


It was all wet and green!


Briganza ghat section starts from here. All trekking from Castle Rock to Dudh Sagar is via this track. It is about 14KM from here.


Aria getting its rest after the night out



continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

The information was right. There is indeed a train at 10:15AM on Saturdays from Castle Rock


Walked towards the Station


Walked past the Engine and enquired about the return. The information proved to be right again, there is a return train by 17:30 hours.


Castle Rock Railway Station


The train again. Looks very nice in such wet green surroundings


I have lost track when was the last time I travelled in one of these trains

Our trains really look beautiful and nostalgic


I found Sr. PPG trying to walk on the rails




It was so green!




continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

From the other side you get a thank you for travelling on Braganza Ghat section


Those were empty coaches parked there


Aria was definitely enjoying the attention she is getting!






I heard a whistle and the train sound


The 10:15 AM train has started its journey

Castle Rock - YouTube

It was time to move on, it was already 10:30AM


Aria definitely has a small turning radius.






continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

A photo for our Album


Jr. PPG was enjoying the cold and wet climate!




Aria indeed looks good.


PPGs were definitely a happy lot


GPS also says Castle Rock! Confirmed


Mazdoor union


Station Master


Outside the station Castle Rock looks like these






By 10:45AM we started our return back to the main road


continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

The roads are simply amazingly green










Aria Strikes a Pose




Belgaum is 74KM and Panaji is 82KM from here


Someday I must check out Halasi and Dandeli


Accident!


continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

We reached Karnataka Goa Border














If some one says it is not allowed we have a habit of doing only that


Welcome to Goa


We took the turn to Collem



continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

The road towards Collem




Collem Police Station




We reached the diversion towards Collem Railway Station and way to Dudh Sagar Falls


We parked Aria here, and got three bikes for the ride to Dudh Sagar. It was 12:00PM already.

The bikers will take us through the side of the track all the way till Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary. The bikers just had some negotiation with the railway people who had prevented them from riding through the tracks and had hit an agreement in revenue sharing. So we were lucky that we could get the bikes to go.

Each bike will take you to the sanctuary at a cost of Rs 500. You have to pay Rs 65 as the entry fee at the sanctuary and Rs 30 for camera.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 1
11th August 2012

Some pictures from our bike ride




At many places the railway people have put sleepers to prevent bikers riding through

We then walk across and the bikers take the bike around the track and come out. It was not like this before a few days. Now that they have some revenue sharing issues, there are sleepers all across the place. It is mostly trek and not riding















continued...