A few train scenes in the 23rd James Bond flick will be shot near Dudhsagar waterfalls on the Goa-Karnataka border. For a slice of 007's action plan, head to his natural wonder
A few train scenes in the 23rd James Bond flick will be shot near Dudhsagar waterfalls on the Goa-Karnataka border. For a slice of 007's action plan, head to his natural wonder
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Illustration/ Satish Acharya
Located on the Goa-Karnataka border, this waterfall shot to fame when news surfaced that it was one the few locations in India selected for a train sequence for the 23rd James Bond movie. Shooting for the movie will commence over 40 days from January to March. This site, located along the dense forests of the Western Ghats has quite a few hot spots we suggest you should get a dekko of.
Trek up to Dudhsagar Waterfall
Located upstream on the Mandovi River, the Dudhsagar waterfall, when literally translated,u00a0 means ocean of milk. It is India's 5th highest and the 227th in the world. The best way to reach this site is to trek along a 10-km-long route or use the railway track of the South Central line. If you prefer the later, the walk along the railway line leads you to the top half of the falls. The intensity of the falls, especially in the monsoons mean that one can spot the mist a kilometre away. You will encounter tunnels, tiny waterfalls and thick foliage (We hope the flick includes a scene of Daniel Craig atop a train on these very tracks).
Explore Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary
Of the four sanctuaries in the state, this is the largest and covers over 240 sq km. Apart from the waterfalls, the sanctuary is home to temples from the Kadamba dynasty. It was originally known as the Mollem Sanctuary and notified as a national park in 1975. Watch out for barking deer, Bonnet Macaque, gaur, Malabar giant squirrel, Drongo, Greater Indian hornbill, Goa's state bird -- Ruby-throated Yellow Bulbul, and as reptiles like the King Cobra, Bronzeback Tree Snake and Indian Rock Python.
Devil's Canyon
This gorge at the lower end of the Dudhsagar falls makes for a spectacular sight as the Mandovi River flows through it. The turbulence and fury with which the river cut through the rock created this deep gorge. Swimmers should avoid this area, especially in the monsoon. This natural wonder makes for a good trek.
How to reach
>>u00a0Board a train from Vasco or Margao (two-hour journey). At Collem, in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, the train stops at a railway station where to pick up passengers for the journey to the waterfalls. The base of the falls can be reached through the Castle Rock railway station (14 km trek).u00a0u00a0
>> GTDC (Goa Tourism Development Corporation) tours have Dudhsagar Waterfall as one of their stops. Or opt for the Dudhsagar Special tour by GTDC from Panaji and Calangute on weekends.
>>u00a0By road, the best way to get to the waterfall is by a four-wheel jeep from the railway junction Collem village. But this path is recommended between January and May when the water level allows jeeps to reach the base of the falls.
When to go
Dudhsagar Waterfalls come alive in the monsoon. But if you prefer the trek be warned that the route can get slippery and muddy. You could visit the falls after September, when it is still bursting with water, without having to take the treacherous, slippery route to get there.
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