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Kesarval Spring
:
The
spring at Kesarval is located 22 kms away from Panaji, near the Verna
plateau, off the main National highway road which goes on towards the
town of Margao. The spot can be reached soon after crossing the bridge
on the Zuari river and passing through the village of Cortalim.
There is
dense undergrowth surrounding the site and above its gorge the hills
stretch out in the east and south. A little further down the slope of
this ridge to the east, surrounded by the tropical woodlands and waving
betel-nut palms is the celebrated spring of Kesarval.
The word
"Kesar-val" is derived from the Indian word for eagles that used to
maintain a colony here among the magnificent forested slopes. Unlike
earlier when a stony zigzag trail was the only route to reach the
spring, steps were built in the 1950s below the hill so that bathers
could reach the Spring without difficulty.
The
spring has a reputation among the locals and the bathers who come from
faraway places, of having medicinal properties in its waters. It is a
very popular spa, where bathers go to wash out ailments once a year by a
course of "healing waters."
Many
middle-aged people, are seen giving a "pep-up" to their ailing bodies
with a good bath. Some folks still swear that the spring waters have
magical curative properties, which can heal skin and eye ailments.
The
Tourism Department has designated the Kesarval spring as a tourist spot.
The spring is at its resplendent best, during the monsoon when it
tumbles forward in a dashing cascade. But during the sweltering Goan
summer in April-May, when the hills above are parched for water, the
flow of the spring is broken and weak.
Kesarval,
with its rolling terraced hills, running down to the forested
countryside is a place where time stands still.
See Also
Other Waterfalls, Springs & Lakes :
(
Kesarval Spring |
Harvalem Waterfall |
Dudhsagar Waterfall |
Mayem Lake )

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