Goa’s hinterland now ‘Discovered’ internationally. Its first stop is Rivona

This
may be a small beginning, but an important one for Goa’s tourism. The
international ‘lens’ as it were, is finally moving away from the beaches. Now
the Discovery Channel, has opened its new series, Lost Essence of
India, with Goa. As a pleasant surprise, they did not head to the beaches but
to the famed Rovona caves. To top it all they asked Professor Prajal
Sakhardande, one of Goa’s foremost heritage conservationists and historians, to
co-anchor the episode. The first episode was hosted by Meiyang Chang.
Sakhardande, Professor of History, Dhempe College helped him explore the Rivona
caves inSanguem taluka.  Sakhardande said “Discovery Channel got in touch
with the Mumbai team who in turn got in touch with Madhav Gad, (well-known
producer of ‘Home Sweet Home fame’) and Mohit Kakodkar, (cinematographer)
who coordinated everything here. They got in touch with me to provide inputs on
the places that were of interest to the channel”. Professor Sakhardande aid he was very excited to be
involved in the project because it would give him an idea to show the country
and the world the other side of Goa which was not showcased ever. He said
“People think Goa is all about fun and frolic and a place where only one
community dominates and where everyone drinks and dances. The channel wanted to
show Goa of the hinterland which is blessed with
heritage, temples and rock paintings. Basically South Eastern Goa which is not
projected”. The
episode focused on the Rivona caves, springs Pansaimoll rock art heritage site
on the banks of the Kushavati, Netravalli and the bubbles pond in Savari
waterwalls in Netravalli. The show required shooting for the entire day.
Sakhardande took Chang to the secret caves where the rishis would meditate in
silence. The place he said was known as the forest of the sages. This how he
said would showcase Goa as a cultural destination. People, he said would be
able to see the rock art on the laterite banks of the Kushavati river which is
approximately 20,000 years. Chang
described Goa as a kaleidoscope of a bit of everything. As he put it, this
drive off the beaten track exposed him to a side of Goa not known to a lot of
people in the world. Sakhardande
said his ambition to showcase Goa as much more than just parties had received a
fillip and he hoped tourists would visit these places off the beaten track and
give a boost to responsible tourism.