Chorla Ghat – drive through Goa Hinterlands

12:43 Steampunk 0 Comments

Chorla Ghat Drive

Exploring hinterlands of Goa, like Chorla Ghat, is one of our favorite pastimes in Goa. We hardly go to the beaches, but we often drive down to the Goa hinterlands. Crossing many small and big bridges over rivers of Goa, stopping by to admire the reflection of lush green coconut trees in the waters. Of course, one of us is crazy about birds and would stop anywhere there is some chirping.

Last month we went exploring a bit of Chorla Ghat – and first place we stopped at was a Machan close to Anjunem Dam. In an attempt to look at the dam, we skirted the huge lake surrounded by the hills of Western Ghats. In the process we ended up coming across the most beautiful swimming pools (yes it is pools as we saw 2 of them) I have ever seen. An infinity pool that overlooks the valley at Wildernest resort. And another one that gets fed from an artificial waterfall and then overlooks the valley. This one has the waterfalls from the hill tops at Swapnagandha resort. I would leave it to your imagination how it would be to be in this swimming pool with the help of some pictures.

This Chorla Ghat area belongs to Mhadhei wildlife sanctuary and a forest department board told me that with prior permissions you could get inside the forest area. We parked that idea for another day before we headed back.

On our way back we stopped at a small bridge on Assanora river where on both sides there were tempting green coconut trees. There were sluice gates for fishing and if there are fishes in the water, birds can’t be too far away. We spent some time spotting the birds as they played hide and seek with our cameras.

Amthane Dam

From here instead of going towards Bicholim and hitting the national highway to come back home to Caranzalem, we took a small detour to discover a hidden gem of Goa – Amthane Dam.

We knew about this dam from newspaper reports that talk about the water being pumped into the catchment area or pumped out to nearby water treatment plants or when excessive rains indicate a potential flooding due to the dam overflowing. Of course, we never heard any touristy news from this corner of Goa. We had to take a mud road to reach the dam, but it was worth all the effort.

Amthane Dam is one of the most scenic places and secluded places I have seen in Goa. The large lake had crystal clear water giving me confidence that water we are drinking is clean even before it goes to a treatment plant. As the water was clean, it carried a clear blue hue. The shape of the lake depends on the water level so you would always find some unique edges where the water ends.

The backdrop is green forest of Sahyadri hills. The rain water from these Ghats flows down in streams and contributes to the waterbody.

As you walk on the dam you have vast blue lake on one side and the green village on one side. A small canal with an artistically done bridge over it flows quietly. Birds fly from here to there. A jetty joining the column standing in the lake makes a perfect place to click pictures and in fact is a great place to have a 270 degrees view of the lake.

Walking on the bund that is all available to you, as hardly anyone comes there is pleasure difficult to define in words.

Several birds can be found by the waterbody. Nature lovers will find this place a must visit when on Goa Holidays.

After spending an hour at this scenic lake and dam, it was time to head back home. We know we would keep coming back to Chorla Ghat sections for more like seasonal waterfalls during monsoon and visit to wildlife sanctuary.

I have also written about several Places to visit in Goa. Do read.

1. Goa Backwaters – Stories from Boat Ride .
2. Duckbill Spillway at Salaulim Dam & Botanical Gardens .
3. A Walk of Discovery at Arvalem .
4. Walk through Smuggler’s Mind at Indian Customs & Central Excise Museum .
5. Secret Monsoon Wonder of Goa – Kuskem Waterfalls .
6. Heritage Houses of Goa .
7. Summer Delights – Pink & Purple Fruits in Goa .
8. Night Life of South Goa Beaches .
9. Goa Chitra Museum .
10. Walk through Backwaters of Moira Village .
11. Faces of Viva Carnival .
12. Walk around Fontainhas, Panjim .
13. 8 Reasons to visit Anjuna Flea Market, Goa .
14. Colva Beach .
15. Naval Aviation Museum .
16. Bondla Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuary .
17. Bigfoot Museum .
18. Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary .
19. Walking with Birds in Maina .
20. Budbudi Tal or The Bubble Lake .
21. Pre-Historic Rock Art – Pansoimol .
22. Birds Eye View from Reis Magos Fort .
23. Celebrating Monsoons with Sao Joao .
24. Goa Chakra Museum .
25. Caranzalem Beach .

and more blogposts on Places to visit in Goa, do read.