Know about the sacred grove of Ghoteli in Goa

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SACRED WILDERNESS

Goa's allure is not restricted to its beaches and extends deep inside its forests and sacred groves, where nature and divinity intertwine, captivating the hearts of all those who enter its hallowed sanctuaries.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

ETERNAL SANCTUARIES

Sacred groves are community-conserved areas, protected and nurtured by locals for centuries as a testament to their cultural and spiritual existence.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

TIMELESS LEGACY

Beyond their spiritual significance, these groves are treasure troves of biological wealth and showcase varied facets of socio-cultural and archaeological heritage.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

DEVACHI RAI

The Devachi Rai of Ghoteli village in Sattari, North Goa, is a fine example of a sacred grove situated on the left bank of the Valvonti River which originates from the Western Ghats.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Valvonti river | Devachi Rai | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

PEACEFUL STILLNESS

To reach this grove, cross a few orchards of coconut trees, eventually emerging into a completely different and verdant area of lush greenery and calm.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Greenery | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

WILD WORLD

Though confined to a small area, this scared grove in Ghoteli is home to a breathtaking array of flowers, creepers, majestic trees, rare creatures, and species of birds, especially the Malabar pied hornbill.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Trees | Flowers | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

STEP INTO THE PAST

Amidst the canopy of trees, lie stone sculptures of Sateri (Mahishasurmardini), Kelbai (Gajalaxmi), Mahadev (Shivlinga), and Basava (Nandi), showcasing the grove's rich archaeological heritage.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Sculptures | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

AGE-OLD BELIEF

One can also find remnants of an old temple on the ground. According to local belief, the temple can only be renovated in the light of a single wick lamp and within one night.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Temple ruins | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

HEALING HAVEN

This serene patch of land provides an almost otherworldly sense of tranquility akin to an oasis in a desert.

Goa | Sattari | Sacred grove | Nature | Divinity | Oasis | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

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