Goa's Rivona, where the 'rishis' once resided

ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Head towards the village of Rivona while enjoying a scenic ride, dotted with coconut trees lining up the road. If you are lucky, you may even spot peacocks on the way.

SANCTUARY FOR SAGES

Explore the picturesque village of Rivona, that gets its name from rishi vann (forest). It is believed that the rishis or sages once came to meditate in this village.

GREEN ESCAPE

Take a relaxed plantation walk and check out 150-year-old water tanks that have never dried up. Then, tuck into a tasty lunch with a view of the rustic kulagar.

PEPPY PEPPERS

In Goa, Kulagars (traditional forest gardens) typically grow areca nut, black pepper, bananas, coconuts and pineapples. The pepper vines often climb up areca nut trees, which not only support them but also benefit from the added nitrogen and humus in the soil.

LASTING SOURCE

One of the 150-year-old water tanks stands as a timeless testament, continuing to provide water for both irrigation and domestic use throughout the year.

CARVED HERITAGE

Head further into the village and visit these 6th century rock-cut caves believed to have been inhabited by Buddhist monks.

STONE CHRONICLES

On the banks of the Kushawati River lie ancient petroglyphs — a skeletal elephant, a deer with a distinctive tail, chakravyuha (maze), and a human form — each carving a silent story into Goa’s prehistoric landscape.

NEXT: Puran Sheti: The dying agricultural wisdom of Goa