the Tambdi Surla Temple, Dudhsagar Falls, and Tambdi Falls. The
Tambdi Surla Temple is a 12th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a
small place of worship situated 13 km away from the Bolcornem Village. The
shrine has a beautiful garbagriha, antarala and a Nandi mandapa made of basalt.
Tambdi
Surla Temple
The Dudhsagar Falls are located high up on the Mandovi River,
about 10 km upstream from Collem village. It is the largest waterfall in Goa
and the fifth largest in India. It is a popular hiking and trekking
destination, however, entry is restricted during the monsoons.
The Tambdi Waterfalls is situated at a distance of 2 km from the
Tambdi Surla Waterfall. This cascade is as spectacular and majestic as the
Dudhsagar Waterfall and is also a major tourist destination in Goa.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is reminiscent of the temples at Aihole in neighbouring Karnataka. There is a linga (symbol of Lord Shiva) mounted on a pedestal inside the inner sanctum,
and local legend has it that a huge king cobra is in permanent residence in the dimly lit interior.
The temple consists of garbhagriha, antarala and a pillared Nandi mandapa built of basalt. The four pillars, embellished with
intricate carvings of elephants and chains support a stone ceiling decorated
with finely carved Ashtoken lotus flowers.[1][2]
The intricate carvings created by skilled craftsmen adorn the interior
and the sides of the building. Bas-relief figures of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, with their respective consorts appear on panels at the sides of the temple. Unusually, the mandap
(pillared hall) is covered with a roof of plain grey sloping slabs. The temple
faces east so that the first rays of the rising sun shine on the deity. There
is a small mandap and the inner sanctum is surmounted by a three-tired tower
whose top is incomplete or has been dismantled sometime in the distant past.
There is a headless Nandi (bull, Shiva's vehicle) in the centre of the mandap, surrounded by four
matching columns. The symbol of the Kadamba kingdom, an elephant trampling a
horse is carved on the base of one of the columns. The river Surla flows nearby
and is reachable for ritual bathing by a flight of stone steps.
The festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with pomp and gaiety at the temple by local people residing
in surrounding villages. The temple is built in a place which is quite
inaccessible and away from the main settlements of the time. The temple is
small compared to the average Goan temple.
Map of Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem
National Park, showing Tambdi Surla
The temple is at 15°26′20″N 74°15′8″E near a small village called Tambdi Surla located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) east of Bolcornem village, in the
north east region of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and
Mollem National Park.
Mahadev Temple is approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) from the
capital city of Panaji. It is accessible from the north via
minor roads 22 kilometres (14 mi) south from the main town of Valpoi in Sattari Taluka. The temple is at the foot of the Anmod Ghat, which connects Goa to the state of Karnataka.
Dudhsagar
Falls
However, not too many tourists are able to enjoy the entire
beauty of the waterfall as it can only be reached by a highly inaccessible long
winding road. A local guide is a must for a hiking trip to this place. Another
important tourist destination near the wildlife sanctuary is the Sunset Point
which provides a breathtaking view of the national park.
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