Dudh Sagar roughly translates to Waterfall of Milk. The height of the Dudh Sagar waterfall is 310 meters, and the width is 30 meters. It is the highest waterfall in the Indian subcontinent. The exact location of the waterfall is on the Mandovi River, which is located in Goa. To be precise, the Dudhsagar waterfall location is 60 km from Panaji. One can also reach Dudh Sagar Falls from other locations. It is 46 km towards the east of the city of Madgaon and 80km towards the south of Belagavi.
The falls are situated in an intermediate area between the Mollem National Park and Mahaveer Sanctuary. Both these national Reserves are part of the Western Ghats of India. Dudh Sagar Waterfalls is a biodiversity-rich area and is especially spectacular during the monsoon season. The falls are across the Madgaon Bellagavi rail route. So, if you are travelling by train across this route, the falls will be easily visible.
History of Dudh Sagar
In India, there are always some myths and legends looming around the origin of a waterfall. Similar historical background can be found in the case of Dudh Sagar Waterfalls as well. The most popular story that is heard about these falls are: Once upon a time, the princess of the state of this region was taking a bath in this area.
During the bath, she laughed and gossiped with her maids. At this point, a handsome prince was crossing through the woods and became curious to explore the lady who was giggling. He came near, and the maidens spotted the prince. Since the princess was scarcely clad during the bath, her maidens poured milk on her body to form a curtain.
This milk curtain on the body of the princess later emerged as a waterfall and was named Dudh Sagar Waterfalls.
The beauty of the waterfall becomes escalated during the monsoon season. The other name of the waterfall is Vajra Sakala Falls (local name). It is also known as the Tambdi Surla Falls (the trekking spot of the region is situated beside the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple). The four-tiered waterfalls are more than 1015 feet high.
Many tourists have clearly stated their opinion that the roads to the waterfalls are even more beautiful than the waterfall itself. The falls and the roads that lead to them are maintained by the Goa Forest Department. Needless to mention that monsoon months are the best time to visit this spot, but during the extreme monsoon months, the spot is closed by the Government to avoid any mishaps and accidents. The spot reopens during October for tourists.
Dudh Sagar Trekking
Trekking in this region is very popular and a widespread activity among tourists. The trekking route passes through the forests, and the endpoint is the top of the rocky mountain terrain of the waterfall. Dudh Sagar trek is one of the most hyped treks in India. Initially, the trek was to the top point of the
Dudh Sagar Waterfall was in the vicinity of the Dudh Sagar railway platform. But now, this trek is closed to the public due to the heavy risks involved in this trek. Instead, the government has now made the trek to the bottom-most point of the fall permissible.
Jeep safari is quite popular these days. There are two routes to reach the recent trekking point of the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls. The first route is to go through Kulem Road. This track is usually traversed by a jeep safari. The second route passes through the Sonaulim station and then through a mud road to reach the bottom part of the waterfall. The second road is a bit inconvenient, but it saves time.
There is another popular trek road to the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls. This is the trek from the Castle Rock Railway Station. This is a 14 km long trek road. If you want to enjoy the natural scenic beauty of the valley encompassing Dudh Sagar, it is advisable to take this road. For people who want to explore some off-road trekking in the region, this one is great. However, if you want to avoid the walk, jeeps are always available to make it convenient.
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How to Reach Dudh Sagar Water Falls
There are various paths to reach the Dudh Sagar waterfalls. Here are some of the most accessible paths to reach the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls:
By Train
There is no train track that will connect you directly with the fall. As already mentioned, the Dudh Sagar railway station has been closed down by the government. However, the nearest railway stations are Kulem and Castle Rock. If you are willing to opt for trek and love adventure, then make sure that you reach there by train. However, if you have kids and elderly people, this may not be the ideal way out. After you deboard on these platforms, you have to trek some kilometers to reach the waterfall.
By Road
The easiest and most convenient way to reach the Dudh Sagar waterfalls is through the roadway. You can reach the falls from Panjim – the capital city of Goa by car. The car or private taxi will leave you at the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary. From here, you shall have to use the jeep of the sanctuary to reach the falls. This road is quite adventurous. The road crosses a local village where you can witness the typical lifestyle of the Goan locals. The sanctuary is situated on the borders of Goa and Karnataka.
You can choose any of the two roads. If you are there up for an adventure, choose the train road. If you are on a family holiday with elders and children, the road track is the best.
Things to Do in Dudh Sagar Waterfalls
Dudh Sagar Waterfalls is a hub of activities. It is an ideal place to spend your time if you are bored and want some escape into nature. There are a plethora of entertaining activities at the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls. Let us have a look at some of them:
Dudhsagar Waterfall Trek
This is one of the most hyped trekking destinations in India. The enthralling beauty of the place and the road to it are equally beautiful and enticing. The Dudh Sagar waterfalls trek encompasses a lush green forest and some mesmerizing natural scenes. The road and the village through which it passes are photogenic. They will not only keep you close to nature but also the best frame for your Instagram and Facebook photos.
Camping
Are you frustrated with your everyday hassles in life? Then pack your bag and set out for camping amidst the iconic natural setting of the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls. There are various interesting spots for camping in this region. The Castle Rock adventure camp is one of the trendiest spots here. The area is well-equipped to entertain campers. There are facilities for trekking expeditions. You can explore serene playgrounds and enjoy the whole setting. Spend some time amidst unadulterated nature.
Doodhsagar Waterfalls Swimming Site
This is probably the most exciting activity in the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls. You must have experienced the swimming experience in artificial pools, but the experience in this naturally created pool is surely amazing. It is fun and refreshing. The place is damn attractive and a great spot for picnics as well.
Castle Rock Trek
This is a 14 km trek that takes 4 to 5 hours time. If you are not running out of time, this is surely going to be a lovable experience. While you visit the Dudh Sagar waterfalls, this one can definitely be an accessory experience. The picturesque beauty of Castle Rock is a masterpiece. If you are a nature lover, there is no chance that you would not love exploring this spot. There are several tunnels and natural landscape types in this trek that makes it even more enjoyable and exciting.
Best Time to Visit Dudh Sagar Waterfalls
July to October, which is the season of monsoon in India, is the ideal time to visit the Dudh Sagar waterfalls. During this time, the waterfall is at its best with the maximum volume of water. It is actually during these months that the fall justifies its name of Dudh Sagar. However, during the past few years, the government has been closing down the waterfalls and sanctuaries during extreme monsoon days to avoid risks and hazards.
For trekking, the time between October to February is ideal. The waterfall is still beautiful during this time. The moderate water level during this time is enjoyable but not hazardous. This time is also ideal for traveling to the place with kids and family. The magnificence of nature is best during the peak monsoon season but it is easier and more accessible to reach the place during the period October to February.
Dudh Sagar Falls – Timings and Pricing
You have to enter the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The timing for this sanctuary is 7 a.m in the morning to 5p.m in the evening. You can practically get the entire day to explore and enjoy.
The entry fee to the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is 20 INR per person. The cost for a jeep safari from Castle Rock to Dudhsagar is 400 INR.
The reservations for the safari can be made prior to visiting through their official website. You can check out the website of goa tourism for better and updated information regarding the visit. Also, do not forget to check the weather updates before the visit.
Places to Visit Near Dudh Sagar Water Falls
If you are planning for a full-fledged visit to the Dudh Sagar waterfalls, you can also include a few places on your bucket list. Some of the most famous tourist attractions near Dudh Sagar Waterfalls are:
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Tambdi Surla Waterfalls
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Devil’s Canyon
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Mollem National Park
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Spice Plantations
If you intend to house stay, you can connect with luxury hotels near Madgaon or check out the official website of the Karnataka house stay provisions in the vicinity of the Dudh Sagar Waterfalls. There are also various agencies offering trekking and camping facilities in this region. You can do some online research for the best deals for luxury DudhSagar Resorts.
Some Important Facts About Visiting Dudh Sagar Water Falls
The nearest station to the waterfall is Castle Rock Station. This is not a typical railway station with a large platform. In fact, the station is quite high. Also, visitors have to walk about an kilometer to get to the actual location. There is also a platform named the Dudh Sagar Railway stop. But, the Indian Railways has banned passengers from boarding and de-boarding the train at this station.
To reach the Dudh Sagar waterfalls, one has to pass through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. The pathway is lush green and covered with dense and beautiful forest. The pristine waterfalls are a beautiful sight to observe. This route is better in comparison to the railway track because it is convenient and beautiful.
Another important fact to note is that the area around the Dudh Sagar has no shops. This is basically to maintain the integrity and sanctity of the area. The only forest house run by the Karnataka Government is your option to stay here. The nearest hotels and food options can be found in Madagon.
After you reach the waterfall, every visitor can spend a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes (90 minutes) in the place. The jeep service in the Bhagawan Mahaveer Sanctuary can be booked prior to the visit through their official website.
Wrapping It Up
If you are planning to witness some mesmerizing natural beauty in India, Dudh Sagar Waterfalls can be an ideal location. Away from the buzz and mess of the city and cosmopolitan life, you can enjoy some quality time with nature. The place is ideal for adventure lovers and trekking here is a lifetime experience. Extreme summers may not be an ideal time to visit this place because the waterfall is not at its best during this time. Take out some time from your busy schedule and explore this authentic beauty of India.
