Are you up for some monsoon magic? If yes, then get inside your car and jettison off to the ghats in any direction, away from the coast. Goa is blessed with the abundance of the Western Ghats in Sattari and Dharbandora talukas.
The Chorla Ghat in Sattari taluka and Anmod Ghat in Dharbandora taluka are two corridors that connect Goa to Karnataka. These ghats are rich in biodiversity and come alive in the monsoon, offering motorists some of the most scenic views of the valleys. On the way up or down, one will also find several seasonal waterfalls on these ghats.
Anyone making his way into Goa through Karnataka has to pass either Anmod Ghat or Chorla Ghat, depending on the route chosen. Besides Anmod, there is the Amboli Ghat in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, which is another important route to enter Goa.
One also cannot ignore the Tillari ghat in Dodamarg, Maharashtra. This is one of the steepest ghats in this region and there is no room for mistake while manoeuvering this steep road.
Besides these ghats in the bordering areas of Goa, if one travels on the route to Karwar, the Karmal Ghat section on Canacona also offers some mesmerising views to the discerning traveller.
Journeying through any of these ghat sections will leave you spellbound. Let us check how high these ghats can get you.
AMBOLI GHAT
This ghat is a mountain pass in the Sahyadri, bordering Goa and Maharashtra, and, for Goans, it is the closest hill station. If you’re driving into Goa from Kolhapur, passing through the Amboli Ghat is something you cannot miss.
Since the Ghat is surrounded by thick forests, the monsoon brings an added charm of lush greenery to it. The best part is the major waterfall, here, known as the Amboli dhabdhaba (which means waterfall in Marathi) where tourists flock in large numbers in the rainy season.
Amboli Ghat offers some of the best viewing points from where one can see the forested valleys. One can also visit the ruins of the Madhavgad Fort in Amboli. This place is known for its rich flora and fauna since it is an important corridor of the Western Ghats.
CHORLA GHAT
This ghat is located at the intersection of Goa and Karnataka border. It is located in the Sahyadri mountain range like the Amboli Ghat. If you’re travelling from Belgaum to Goa, commuting through this ghat is a must.
Chorla Ghat boasts of being home to rare species of wildlife. On the route, one will find the Nature Conservation Facility which has been set up to monitor the Western Ghats and its biodiversity.
As for the interesting things you can do while driving through Chorla, make it a point to visit the Vajrapoha Falls and the Peak of Lasni Temb. These locations are popularly known as trekkers' paradise.
ANMOD GHAT
Anmod is a village located in the state of Karnataka and it lies on the Belgaum-Goa route. The forests of Anmod, which are known for their biodiversity, are moist, mixed, and deciduous. And, a few predominant tree species found here are Terminalia crenulata, Lagerstroemia parviflora and Stereospermum colais to name a few.
Apart from the beauty of the valley and curvy roads, you can also enjoy the seasonal waterfalls on this ghat during the monsoon season.
KARMAL GHAT
The Karmal Ghat in Canacona taluka starts from Barcem village in Quepem and ends at Gulem village in Canacona. While passing through this ghat, one can see paddy fields and terrace farming for which Canacona is known.
Though this ghat looks easy to drive on, it has seen several accidents, so a bit of caution will do good while driving.
One attraction of this ghat is a plant variation of the Bauhinia racemosa which is known as Aapto in Konkani. This plant is found easily on the Karmal Ghat on the way to Canacona.