Harvalem… Pandyan caves of laterite stones
28 Mar 2008 5 Comments
in Goa in all its colours Tags: Goa, historical places around Goa, temples, waterfalls
From Sanquelim we went a few kilometres north to Harvalem.
It is a protected site . It has five laterite caves housing Shiva Lingas in each. Each linga differs in shape. Some have Bramhi inscriptions too.One looks like an arrowhead, another has a halo around it.There is yet another cave which is said to be a kitchen..The ASI has posted a personnel there who guides and guards the place.He was helpful.
We then went to Harvalem / Arvalem’s Rudreshwar temple. It is situated near a roaring waterfalls . The water collects into Bheem Kund. This is a cool,green pool used for performing last rites.The whole place is very peaceful. we had our lunch there. I had carried food from home .When we were about to leave a foreign tourist arrived . He was smoking. When I gestured for him to go elsewhere, he argued that it was an open space. I protested that it was a place of worship. It fell on deaf ears…We just chose to leave the place.
Sadly this is the picture of Goa now.
Har Har Harvalem..
24 Mar 2008 1 Comment
This weekend was a surprise planned for V. He had worked hard for his exams and needed a change.. The exams got over on 19/3 and results are to be announced on 28/3. At KVs the new session begins after a 6-7 day break. The next academic session begins on 1/ 04. So V got a break ( and me too from corrections and timetable making and report cards…!!)
We started after a light breakfast and heavy lunch basket. Goa is known for not having too many good veg. restaurants. And we were travelling to the interior !In fact I took along coffee too.
We decided to go to a few places in North Goa. There are some famous temples and other places of interest there. In Sanquelim, the mining town are three temples of repute. The RadhaKrishna temple, The Dattaprasad Temple and the Vittal temple.. Anjunem Dam built on the River Valvanti is close by on the Chorla Ghat road.Also at a short distance is Harvalem laterite rock -cut caves of the 7th century and the Rudreshwar temple and Harvalem water falls.
We were eager to see the Vittal temple first .Here several utsavs take place through out the year. On Gokulashtami, it is believed that Sant Tukaram visits this Vittal !!On Tripuraari Pournami, this temple holds boat races.People build model boats and float them down the River Valvanti. A night long mela is held. Chaitra Pournami is the time of annual jatra. It is said that this temple is 500 years old and that the Ranes were the ones who built the temple. The River Valvanti meanders down below.The steps going down to the river are neatly paved and made skid proof.The ghat has many small shrines holding paintings of famous devotees o Vittal like Sant Namdev , Jaana bai , Eknaath…The temple has the idols of Vittal ,Rukmini and Satyabhama. The neatness and beauty are seen to be believed. The wonderful chandeliers and huge deepasthambas…lovely.
The river as seen here is bordered by trees . It is very green all around. The water looked welcoming…but some people were washing clothes on the ghat .
To be contd.
Recent Comments