Arvalem: Goa’s Mysterious Caves

For many of us, the history of Goa is synonymous with Portuguese rule. But did you know that for many centuries before the arrival of the Portuguese, Goa was ruled by various Hindu dynasties? These early rulers have left their mark across the state.

About an hour’s drive from Panaji, the capital of Goa, is the small village of Arvalem in Bicholim town in North Goa. It is popular among tourists for its magnificent waterfalls. But a short walk from the waterfalls is a set of caves that goes back 1,500 years. Overlooking a quiet stream and resting in an idyllic setting, the Arvalem Caves are among the earliest Hindu architectural marvels in the state.