The short answer
Tambdi Surla Falls: what visitors should know first
Go if you are reasonably fit and want a short, wet forest walk near Mollem. The trail starts at the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple and takes roughly 90 minutes each way. Monsoon access is often closed or restricted, so confirm before you travel.
History and context
The story behind Tambdi Surla Falls
The falls lie in the forest behind the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple, a stone temple from the Kadamba period protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation has run guided monsoon treks to the falls for several years.
Useful facts
Tambdi Surla Falls facts at a glance
- Location
- Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, from the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple
- Altitude
- Low forest trail; no significant altitude
- Experience type
- Waterfall trek
- Known for
- Forest, stream crossings and the temple at the trailhead
- Time or schedule
- About 90 minutes each way; access depends on season
Why it matters
Why Tambdi Surla Falls is worth your time
Tambdi Surla is one of the few forest walks in Goa that starts at a protected monument. The temple at the trailhead is the main surviving example of the stone temple architecture of the Kadamba era in Goa, and the falls give the visit a short, honest walk through Western Ghats forest.
The falls are also a reminder of how quickly monsoon water changes. Goa's forest waterfalls are often closed to visitors in the monsoon. After two people drowned at Mainapi in July 2023, the Forest Department barred entry to waterfalls in its areas, then reopened a list of low-risk falls with guards and ticketed entry; in 2024 it again told visitors to stay away from sanctuary waterfalls, and the minister later said monsoon access depends on periodic risk assessments of water levels and weather. Check the current status before planning a visit around them.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Temple trailhead
The walk begins beside the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple, a small Kadamba-era stone temple in the forest.
- 02
Stream crossings
Two forest streams cross the trail; they are higher on the way back after rain.
- 03
The falls
The trail ends at a waterfall in deep forest after a short, steep final climb.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The walk starts beside the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple, about 45 minutes by road from Kulem (Collem) railway station. A forest path of roughly 5 km there and back runs through dense forest, up and down, with two stream crossings. Some crossings rely on tree branches laid over the water, and fallen bamboo blocks the path in places, so expect to duck and scramble. The final stretch before the falls is steep.
Most people take about an hour and a half each way, longer after heavy rain when the streams are higher on the way back. Leeches are common in wet weather; long socks and a little salt help. Wear shoes with real grip, carry water and a change of clothes, and do not enter the plunge pool when the water is high.
GTDC has run guided Sunday treks here in the monsoon, with transport from Panjim, Margao and Mapusa and a guide and lunch included; dates and prices change each year. Leave time either side of the walk for the temple, which is the reason most people come this far.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm whether the falls are open before leaving
- Wear shoes with good grip
- Carry water, snacks and dry clothes
- Expect leeches in wet weather
- No smoking, alcohol or plastic inside the sanctuary
- Start early and be out before dusk
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, starting at the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple near Mollem
- Time needed
- About 3 to 4 hours for the walk; a full day from the coast
- Best time
- Late monsoon to early winter, when the falls still run, subject to forest department rules; little water in the dry months
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The walk crosses streams, uses fallen branches as footholds in places and ends with a steep climb, so it suits only steady walkers with good knees and balance. Older parents who prefer to stay on level ground can spend the time at the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple itself, which sits at the trailhead in a quiet forest clearing, while fitter family members walk to the falls.
- Tickets and access
- The falls are inside Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, so forest department entry rules apply and the trail may be closed during the monsoon. GTDC runs guided group treks in some seasons, booked through goa-tourism.com. Confirm current access, fees and guide arrangements locally before going.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Tambdi Surla Falls
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The walk crosses streams, uses fallen branches as footholds in places and ends with a steep climb, so it suits only steady walkers with good knees and balance. Older parents who prefer to stay on level ground can spend the time at the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple itself, which sits at the trailhead in a quiet forest clearing, while fitter family members walk to the falls.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How long is the Tambdi Surla Falls trek?
About 5 km there and back from the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple, roughly 90 minutes each way.
Are the falls open in the monsoon?
Not always. The forest department closes or restricts sanctuary waterfalls in the monsoon based on risk; confirm before you go.
Can older parents visit?
The temple at the trailhead is easy to visit. The trek itself is steep in places and involves stream crossings.
Sources and further reading
- The Goan: GTDC trek to Tambdi Surla waterfalls
- eSamskriti: Tambdi Surla Waterfalls
- The Goan: Forest minister on waterfall safety (2024)
- ThePrint: Goa forest dept bans entry to waterfalls (2023)
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
