REGIONAL TOURISM ACTION PL AN (Areas of Valpoi,Bicholim and Harvalem)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chief Executive’s message 2

Strategic context 3

Current challenges 5

Market overview 7

PA RT A : I N I T I AT I V E S TO A D D R E SS S TAT E-W I D E R EG I O N A L TO U R I S M I SS U E S10

Improving regional industry structures 11

Improving the supply & quality of tourism experiences 14

Increasing consumer demand for regional tourism experiences 17

Addressing skills, service standards & environmental sustainability 23

PA RT B: S U PP O RT I N G TO U R I S M G ROW T H I N V I C TO R I A’ S R EG I O N S 2 5

Regional focus 26

Priorities for Daylesford & the Macedon Ranges 27

Priorities for Gippsland 28

Priorities for Goldfields 29

Priorities for Grampians 30

Priorities for Great Ocean Road 31

Priorities for Mornington Peninsula 33

Priorities for the Murray 34

Priorities for Phillip Island 35

Priorities for Victoria’s High Country 36

Priorities for Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges 37

Evaluation & reporting 38

Appendix – Research indicators 39

Objective: The objective behind this proposal is to attract tourist toward some of the potential areas of Tourism in Valpoi, Bicholim and Harvalem. Due to most of the tourist attraction and beach presence in many other parts of Goa, these parts of Goa are remained untouched and uncovered. The idea is to extract out the potential areas of these areas to increase the awareness and make way for the tourist to visit these areas also in line with their other place of visits in Goa.

Some of these areas are already famous and tourist do visit over here like Mayem Lake, Harvalem cave and waterfall but there are other potential areas also which can be clubbed together so that a full package for tourists can be made out of this area. In the following document we have identified many such areas which are worth watching and have their own importance in many different forms.

Benefit: This will surely help rural people in generating good income and way of employment. This will also increase awareness to people about these unexplored parts of Goa. Not only tourists but local visitors will also get informed about them.

Places at a glance: Mayem Lake

o Chamundi temple

o Cashew and Areca nut plantation

Corjuem Fort

Brahmkarmali

o The Brahma temple

o The Pond

o The ancient bush

Harvalem

o Cave

o Waterfall

o Rudreshwar Devstahan Temple

Dattatreya temple, Sanquelim

Shri Saptakoteshwar temple, Narve

Gomantak Tirupati Balaji Padmavathi temple , Ponda

Devki Krishna temple Marcel

White water rafting, Valpoi

We will now describe the importance and potential of each place one by one.

Mayem Lake:About 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Panjim city, Mayem Lake is a charming little lake situated at Mayem near Bicholim in Bicholim Taluka, North Goa. Ensconced amidst low, rounded hills and natural beauty, the lake attracts a number of tourists and locals who come to picnic here. The lake and the surrounding area are home to a great variety of birds, including migratory birds. If you take to bird watching, Mayem Lake is a great place to spot birds including some common aquatic species. A boat ride on the lake opens up some wonderful photographic opportunities. Peddle boats can be hired at a nominal fee and families can enjoy peddling around this scenic lake. After boating in the lake, relax under the shady trees of the nearby park that also has some food and drink stalls. If you wish to spend the night in this area, there are cottages built by Goa Tourism Development Cooperation (GTDC). 

The area is also ideal for an eco tour; set out to explore the nearby villages and experience life in a rural Goan community. The serene waters with birds and pedal boats overlooking the cottages hidden in the wooded slopes make Mayem Lake an idyllic place in Goa to soak up some sunshine. 

Chamundi Temple:

A trip to the famous Chamundi temple at Piligao is worth a visit. The image of the Chamunda goddess was originally brought from a temple in Goa Velha which was ruined by the invasions of the Muslim ruler, Malik Kafur in 1312. This temple is very old, although having been rebuilt a number of times. The temple tank is quite large and in its centre is a platform stone with ancient carvings. 

Cashew and Areca nut plantation:

A beautiful and natural array of cashew trees surrounding hills and valleys, areca nut palm trees with betel leaves and pineapple plantations. An occasional glimpse towards the coast, one can see the capital of Panjim with the Mandovi River in the far distance. 

View of Mayem Lake:

Corjuem Fort: This fort is situated 4km north of Pomburpa, alongside the Mapusa river near the village of Aldona. It was built in 1705 by the Portuguese. Built in 1705, the fort has a rather interesting story set in it. One Ursula e Lancastre, an ambitious Portuguese woman determined to succeed in a man’s World, dressed like one and travelled the world. Eventually landing up here as a soldier. Finally, her secret was discovered when she was captured and stripped. But the woman was in a different league - she ended up marrying the captain of the guard.

The Corjuem fort was constructed in the year 1551. The fort is a relatively small fort and is square shaped. The walls are wide and have numerous gun ports and murder holes. At each corner of the fort is a ramp like stair that leads to the ramparts. The fort has a well and a three room living quarters. Within the fort is also located a small chapel which seems to be a relatively new addition. This fort protected the Portuguese from the Marathas, Bhonsles and the Rane Rajputs in the nineteenth century. The chapel of St. Anthony was earlier known to have been in the Corjuem Fort. The fort has the distinction of being one of the only two inland forts that are surviving. The fort has become popular for its beauty and history.

The fort is surrounded by lush greenery and one can get a full view of beautiful villages and islands nearby. The fort is built out of pitted laterite stones. Corjuem is well connected with Aldona by a cable suspension bridge which is a major source of attraction as it is the only suspension bridge in Goa.

Attractions nearby Corjuem Fort:

The Mae de Deus chapel - This is a small chapel that is dedicated to the Mother of God (Mae de Deus). A feast of this God is celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Easter. The chapel was built in 1854 by Joao Felipe Ferreira from Divar on his own expenses along with some donations from local islanders. The festival of Mae de Deus is celebrated with great pomp by the Catholics in the Corjuem Island. Another popular festival celebrated by the Catholics here is the festival of St Anthony that is celebrated in June.

Shri Sateri Panchayatan Praxn temple - This temple is a main place of worship for Hindus living on this island. The main Hindu deity of worship on the Corjuem Island is Malambadevi Satpurushu. This deity has six affiliate temples

Brahmakarmali: Brahma Temple is also known as Brahma Karmali, is the only temple in Goa that is dedicated to Lord Brahma and also one of the few important temples found in India that are dedicated to Lord Brahma situated in Satari few kilometers from Valpoi.The temple is  known to have been built in the 5th century, AD, thus considered to be an ancient pilgrimage for the Hindus in Goa. Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva.The idol of the lord was actually Satari taluka by a large number of religious devotees. The temple has a beautifully chiseled out image of Brahma is dated to the Kadamba period and belongs to the 12th century AD as the supreme creator is housed in a simple temple known as Brahmadeva Devastan-Brahma Karmali.

In the 16th century AD when the island of Tiswadi was conquered by the Portuguese, there was a fear of destruction of the temple and desecration of the deity.

Hence the devotees of Brahma in the year 1541 write Lopes Mendes, smuggled the deity out of Karmali in the Tiswadi taluka which the Portuguese termed as Carambolim and in a clandestine manner carried it to the Sattari taluka which then had not come under Portuguese rule. Sattari came under the Portuguese rule as late as 1781. They took it to Valpoi and from there to

Nagargaon and installed the image in a small shrine on the banks of a stream and this small hamlet came to be known after the deity Brahma and the village of its origin Karmali (in the Tiswadi taluka) and hence the name Brahma Karmali.

it is the original piece of sculpture chiseled out of a black stone during the Kadamba period. The image shows Brahma standing in the centre and its peculiarity being that he wears a beard. Brahma is shown in its trinity form or Trimurti that is Brahma – Vishnu – Mahesh. There is a hallo prabhawal which has exquisite carved images of gods and motifs like crab. Two goddesses are shown at the lower portion of the image. Brahma is also shown wearing a lot of jewellery and holding a kamandalu (water-bearer) in one of his hands.

Ajobachi Rai, KeriCovering an area of about 10 hectares, Ajobachi Rai is located about 50 km from Panaji in the village of Keri in Sattari Taluka, about a kilometre from the Sateri Kelbai temple. The narrow path leading to the grove winds over a fairly steep incline covered with very dense, somewhat thorny, vegetation. The grove is easily distinguishable from the rest of the forest as the woodlands here are in pristine condition. Birds and insects are abundant and the groves are known to be a haven for rare species of snakes as well as smaller wildlife. The villagers here worship a holy spirit ‘Ajoba’ (grandfather), and there is a small shrine near the temple where devotees of all castes and creeds still make traditional ritual offerings in the form of cock and goat sacrifices. A few kilometres away is Ghotgachi Rai, a much smaller grove. 

Nirankarichi Rai, Sattari Nirankarichi Rai is located at Bambar on the Valpoi-Nanora Road in Sattari Taluka. A Forest Department signboard explains that the god ‘Nirankar’ is the reigning deity here,

considered the protector of the three villages of Maloli, Ustem and Nanodem nearby. Although the original area of the grove was large, it now comprises just 0.25 hectares. One unique feature of the trees here is their aerial roots, many bending over the surface of the soil like hoops.

Harvalem

Waterfall

Located a short distance from Bicholim, the waterfall is a popular picnic spot for kids and adults alike. A staircase takes you to the bottom of the falls, where the spray of cold water helps you refresh even on the hottest of days. During the monsoon season, as the plains are lashed by incessant rains, the Arvalem waterfall runs amok with thunderous energy. The otherwise lean stream of the winters metamorphoses into a powerful gush of water cascading down the mountain slopes. After descending down the rocky cliff, the Arvalem waterfall settles in a huge lake at the bottom which is a tempting place for visitors for a refreshing dip.

Rudreshwar Temple:This waterfall is set amidst charming surroundings, with the Rudreshwar temple in its vicinity. Shri Rudreshwar Devasthan located at Harvalem is a sacred place for Hindus from the region of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.The temple holds importance for the Hindus who believe in releasing the soul on the 12th day after death. The Rock cut caves are just situated nearby. The Government has also developed a park from which the view of the waterfall can be peacefully relished.

6th Century rock cut caves:

These caves from the 6th century are quite small, with no articulate sculptures or paintings. The origin of these caves is uncertain, some believing them to be of Buddhist origin, although the presence of lingas does not justify this statement claiming them to be of Brahmin origin. They are also claimed to be known as the Pandava caves, signifying the reign of Pandavas here during their 12 year exile as described in the Mahabharata. The shafts of the four carved lingas inside the cave resemble to those found at the famous Elephanta and Ellora caves.The Arvalem caves are very much patterned in the Buddhist cave style, rock cut into laterite stone, with the sanctuary at the northern end and the vihara at the southern end. 

Dattatreya temple, sanquelim Shree Dattatreya Temple is a highly revered shrine located at Sanquelim, about 6 km from Bicholim, in North Goa District. This 100-year-old temple is positioned in scenic surroundings and is dedicated to Lord Dattatreya - an incarnation of the Hindu trinity. It is said that the deity has the miraculous power to cure mental disorders.

The inner side of the temple is built of white marbles. Thousands of devotees from across the state attend the famous Datta Jayanti celebrated here in the month of December.

Shri Saptakoteshwar temple, Narve BicholimAcclaimed as one of the six revered temples of Lord Shiva in the Konkan area, the Saptokoteshwar temple has a history dating back to the 12th century. During that period Saptakoteshwar was the patron deity of the kings of Kadamba dynasty. In 1352, when Bahamani Sultan Hassan Gangu usurped the Kadamba kingdom, his armies vandalized the linga of the Saptakoteshwar temple.In 1367; Vijayanagar King Hariharraya conquered Hassan Gangu's troops and restored the lost glory of Saptakoteshwar temple. After a calm of

about two hundred years, the temple idol (linga) had to be removed once again to escape the marauding armies of the Portuguese conquerors. The temple was finally rebuilt at Narve by the orders of great Maratha king Shivaji.The presiding deity of the temple is Saptakoteshwar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Legend has it that Shiva appeared at this place to grant the wishes of seven holy sages who prayed for seven crore years. This incarnation of the Lord is known as Saptakoteshwar (sapt means seven and koteshwar means lord of crores). The Gokulashtami festival of the temple draws thousands of devotees from Goa and other parts of India.The temple is a standing specimen of medieval architectural style and mirrors the rulers' refinement and artists, superior craftsmanship. It is elegantly beautified with sculptural adornments. It is a big temple with imposing tower, vast courtyards and several mini-shrines.

In front of the Saptakoteshwar temple, there is ancient pathway constructed of locally available laterite slabs which lead to the ruins of Jain temple. These consist of mainly door jams, ceiling canopy and lintels chlorite schist. The Jain temple was built of laterite. Lime mortar has also been noted to have been used extensively here.

Tirupati Balaji Padmavati temple ,Ponda:

It is situated in Kunkuliem village enveloped with greenery from all sides. This temple is maintaining a beautiful garden full of flowers and sacred Tulsi . The

lush green and well maintained lawn offered a real visual treat. The Tulsi here is surrounded by sugarcane which looked very attractive . The idol of Balaji is very tall and and it gave us a feeling of visiting theTirupati Balaji temple in Andrapradesh, sans the crowd. Next to the Balaji temple there are shrines for Padmavathi and Ganesha. Like the South Indian temples this temple in Goa has a dwajasthambha. This temple was blessed by Jagadguru Sanuacharya of Kanchikamakoti Peetam.

Spice Tourism and Elephant Ride, PondaAnother highlight of a trip to Goa India is the spice plantations around Ponda. Goa's tropical climate and dense forests makes it an ideal place to grow spices. The spice farms are open to visitors. You can take a guided tour, enjoy the picturesque scenery, and finish with a spicy lunch.

One of the most acclaimed spice plantations in Goa is the Savoi Plantation, reached by an enchanting drive through dense jungles and hills from Ponda. Others include the Sahakari Spice Farm, Pascol Spice Village, Abyss, and the Tropical Spice Plantation. Accommodations, and other activities such as elephant or boat rides, are offered at many of the farms.

Devaki Krishna Temple, Marcel

Everyone must have heard about Radha-Krishna Temple if you have travelled across India or from someone else who visited India but this, Devaki Krishna Temple, is a unique one where Lord Krishna is worshiped alongside Mother Devaki as Devaki Krishna. Malni Purnima is the most important festival of the temple celebrated with great pomp and fervor during January-February. The Garbha Griha (inner sanctum) of the temple has the beautiful idol of Devaki and Lord Krishna. The idol of Devaki is in standing posture with a child Krishna, between her legs.This particular pose is considered to be unique. The idols are beautifully carved in black stone.

The annual traditional ‘Chikhal Kalo’ (mud festival) was celebrated with great excitement here.The festival was held in the temple courtyard of the Shri Devaki Krishna shrine at Marcela (18 kms from Panaji). The celebration was attended by hundreds of people—young and old.The core group at the festival went on to perform various drills and formations along as well as traditional games in the thick mud.

White water rafting, ValpoiThe GTDC is hosting this sport in association with Southern River Adventures and Water Sports Pvt Ltd. River rafting will commence at Ustem village and end at Sonal village in Sattari. The trip will cover a distance of 10 kms in 90 minutes and it will include 13 rafts. There is also another route that covers a distance of 17 kms, which is more advanced. The entire route has a total of 35 rafts. The rafters will get a chance to explore the Western Ghats along the Mhadei River. This area is also part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The rafting season is between Jun to October. The idea is to attract high end tourists to the state and generate funds for respective panchayats in the rural areas.