Goa is one of the most happening and visited tourist destinations in India and even the world. Goa is not just about beaches🌊 🌊  and nightlife🍹🍹 but it has much to offer like culture, wildlife, island hopping cultural and historical sites, and beautiful waterfalls. Goa also has a unique facade to it which not many have explored.

On a Thursday afternoon, we planned to go out for a long drive from Calangute, North Goa, and this gave the thought of visiting Harvalem or Arvalem Waterfalls. This iconic place is one of the smaller falls but is considered one of the most iconic.

The most famous waterfall in Goa is perhaps the Dudhsagar waterfall which attracts thousands of tourists every year during monsoons. But Arvalem Falls is not bad at all.

From Calangute it took us around 1 hour 15 mins, it’s a place 30 to 40 mins from Mapusa. The journey to these falls is just beautiful and one must take it when in Goa 🌻🌻

These iconic waterfalls are located approximately 2 km from the small town of Sanquelim in Bicholim taluka, North Goa. The Arvalem waterfalls are an ideal picnic spot 🍔 🍕  and the best time to visit these falls is just after the monsoons.

The village of Sanquelim in Goa is one of the most exciting locations because of the Pandava caves and the spectacular Harvalem Waterfall. You will also come across the waterfall is Arvalem rock-cut caves that were featured in Mahabharata. Even this is a historical site.

Within walking distance of the fall, these Arvalem Caves are believed to be places where the Pandava took refuge for a while during their exile. These Arvalem caves are patterned in the Buddhist caves and consist of 5 compartments each compartments holding the “Shivalingam”.

I am glad we did just after that as the monsoons ended 2 weeks back.  The rushing water cascades from a height of 50 meters into a shimmering, sizeable lake. It’s a lovely swimming spot for all kinds of swimmers  🏊 🏊

The area around Arvalem Waterfalls is full of greenery🌄 🌄 and is surrounded by lush green, fruit-bearing trees. You can spot coconut palms, banana trees, and a whole lot of other variables.

Another tourist attraction in the area is the Rudreshwar Temple that holds great importance for the Hindus. The steps leading to the temple leads one to the side of the waterfall from where one can have a mesmerizing sight of the waterfall.

When we were at this site, to our surprise, a short Hindi film was getting shot and the whole crew were in place that you can see in the picture below.

After returning from the Arvalem falls we stopped by the Mayem Lake which is 7 to 8 km from these falls. It is a beautiful lake and an ideal place for all bird watchers. Tourists do take a bird watching tour on this site. Mayem lake also holds a perfect place for all Bungy Jumpers and its right on the edge of the lake.

Overall it was a good outing and a lovely long drive full of scenic beauty, lush green fields, and pleasant nature 🎇🎇

We came back home 🏡 🏡 in the evening around 6: 30 pm, relaxed❤️❤️   and overjoyed ⛲ ⛲