It is said that the only way to find yourself is to lose your way in the jungle. And the biggest of the wildlife sanctuaries in Goa will give you ample opportunity to do just that. The Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary is spread over an area of 240 sq. kms. So that there is space enough for hundreds of species of wildlife, miles and miles of endless forests, tribal villages, ancient temples, haunted canyons, gigantic waterfalls and shaded undiscovered corners waiting for the first footprints of man.

So let’s see what makes the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary one of the most important of the Goa tourist attractions.

Animals: The highlight of any wildlife sanctuary usually is its animals. And in this the Sanctuary is quite blessed. Barking deer, gaurs, spotted deer, sambar, graze happily, while lurking in the shadows ready to prey on them are the tigers and the leopards. However the most dangerous of the predators here are the doles, the wild dogs – merciless, ruthless and efficient killers. Usually safe from them are the birds. An almost infinite variety of feathered creatures including Drongo, Fairy Bluebird, Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, and the Indian Black Woodpecker.

Imitating their flight will be found a profusion of butterflies – Common Jezebel, Blue Mormon, Common Mime, Tailed Jay… the list is endless. Usually much closer to the ground are the reptiles. The Hump-Nosed Pit Viper, Cat Snake, Rat Snake, Malabar Pit Viper, Indian Cobra and the Common Krait.

Plants: Miles and miles of thick canopy of trees ensure that little sunlight reaches the ground. The reason why there is not much of grass around. The main type of vegetation in this sanctuary consists of Moist Deciduous Forests, West Coast Semi-Evergreen Forests and West Coast Tropical Evergreen Forests.

Temples: A must see according to any Goa travel guide is the 12th century Tambdi Surla Temple, a Shiva temple built by the legendary Kadamba dynasty.

Waterfalls: No Goa tour will be complete without a visit to the famous Dudhsagar Falls. The frothy cascading water gives it its name, the sea of milk. Equally picturesque but not as popular with tourists is the Tambdi falls. The reason – it is extremely difficult to reach.

Devil’s Canyon: Eerie as the name sounds, the Devil’s Canyon is a breathtakingly beautiful canyon, a must in every Goa travel.