By Marcellus D’Souza
Apr 30: Planning a visit to Goa in the future, include a visit to the springs of Goa in your itinerary. The springs are refreshing and rejuvenating. It adds to the summer fun and is a trip off the beaten trail. The spring could be medicinal in nature and provide the body a relaxing open to sky spar.
The Boca de Vaca Springs is in Panjim. Situated next to the Mahalaxmi temple, it is named after the mouth of the cow. 'Boca De Vaca' literally means 'the face of the cow' in Portuguese. The spring was a major source of water to the capital city of Goa in the bygone days. Even today the people of Panjim queue up to fill their buckets and pots with the water which is believed to have medicinal properties. This massive Portuguese built structure was reworked and restored by Goa Tourism and Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC).
The Kesarval Spring is situated in the industrial town of Verna. Its waters are known to healing properties; Ana Fonta Spring is located in the commercial capital of Margao; the Rivona Spring in a spring in South Goa. Rivona is a small Village located in the Sanguem taluka about 2 km from the main road of Zambaulim.
I have enjoyed the cold water of Oxel springs. Fed from the mountain upon which stands the Lady of the Sea Church, the spring is a constant refreshing spout of water that runs throughout the year. Residents of Oxel not only bathe in the refreshing waters but collect water for drinking and cooking. The spring collects a crowd of local resident’s early in the morning or late at night.
Other springs include, Pomburpa Springs which is situated on the outskirts of Bardez. It is popular amongst local and overseas tourist. The spring is said to have medicinal prosperities and once belonged to the Church. Today it is being looked after by the tourism Department. Developed in 1915, by Augusto Mathias Pinto e Joaquim Vicente Pinto de Olaulim, the spring continues to hold its own charm.
The Shree Narshiv Temple tank is fed by a spring that can be found in its vicinity. Visitors are allowed to drink from the spring, which has medicinal properties but bathing is not allowed. The Challsamchi Zor in Margao is where God is said to have put together 40 springs.
Ambora Springs is located in the village of Camurlim. The village still maintains the rich legacy of a bygone era. The square which houses the spring is marked by a boundary wall and runs all year long. The water of this spring is said to repeal skin eruptions. The spring has small fish which provide free fish therapy. Udear Springs is located at Verna a few meters away from Ambulor Lake. Although called a spring, the waters gush down the mountain slopes with a current. This spring has a special attraction during the monsoons, when the frogs crock and the land becomes green with a carpet of fresh vegetation.
Sonalle Spring is located on the main National Highway 17 near Fr. Agnelo Ashram. Other springs that can be visited are Vhoddli and Dhakti Springs, Uddier/Amlar Spring, Patna Spring, Adollem Spring, Kanttem Spring, Remeth Sokol Spring, , Raia Spring, Padre Jose Vaz Spring, Betul Spring I, Betul Spring II, Betul Spring III and Mardol Spring.
These springs prove that Goa is much more than beaches and a trip to South Goa, North Goa or a song and dance routine on the Santa Monica Cruise. The springs may be not accessible from the main road, but once there, time flies away and it provides a day of fun and frolic.