Away from beaches, Goa Tourism now developing bubbling pond

Panaji, April 2: Goa will soon add a bubbly bit to the bouquet of tourism experiences the state has on offer. And it's nothing to do with champagne.

State tourism authorities will spend over Rs.2 crore to spruce up 'Budbudyachi Tali', a remote temple pond in south Goa's Sanguem sub-district whose otherwise still waters are known to bubble mysteriously every now and then.

The pond is already a known religious and tourist attraction, but the "beautification" project, according to Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, will put it on Goa's tourism map properly .

"This mega beautification plan for 'Budbudyachi Tali' will begin shortly and Goa Tourism is focusing strongly on this project which is right in the heart of the state's hinterlands," said Parulekar, adding that the project could help develop hinterland tourism.

The pond lies adjacent to the 14th century Lord Gopinath temple in Netravali village in Sanguem sub-district and is located around 80 km from here.

While the exact cause of the bubbles constantly rising to the surface has not been documented, the water from the pond is known for its medicinal properties.

Goa is one of the most popular beach tourism destinations in India and attracts four million tourists annually out of which half a million are foreigners.

IANS