"Usgalimal" is a famous place among the European tourists who visit Goa. To Indian tourists, other than the localites, this place is rather unknown. We happened to read about this place some time back and made sure not to miss it during our next visit to Goa. This Ugadi gave us a chance of making a trip to Goa and there we were!
Usgalimal is a small hamlet on the banks of the river Kushavati. In the year 1993, some villagers had found mysterious rock carvings on the river banks. The same had been brought to notice of the required authorities who further investigated and found various such rock carvings in the area. The archeologists assign these carvings to the Mesolithic period (around 9000 years old) as indicated in the brochure printed by the Govt. of Goa.
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| Brochure Of Usgalimal Rock Engraving |
The rock art is full of carvings depicting symbols of religious cult, cosmology, triskelion, animals like bison, bull, deer, dog, peacock etc., as well as figures of labyrinth and mother goddess. Most probably, the engravings were carved using specially prepared using sharp pointed stone tools.
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| Bull - Usgalimal Rock Carving |
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| The Peacock |
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| Bison |
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| Dancing Lady |
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| Mother Goddess |
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| New Born Child |
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| Large Hoof Carvings |
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| Two Dancing Ladies |
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| Hunting Trap |
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| Human Feet |
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| Labyrinth Usgalimal Rock Carving |
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| Wounded Bison |
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| Probably a Water Pond |
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| A walk across the River |
There is no entrance fee to this place though there is a full time care taker who also guides the tourists. This place requires more attention and the maintenance. Since the carvings are open to sky, utmost care needs to be taken for protecting them. There are also chances of damaging the carvings due to walking over them. They can be best protected by creating a glass enclosure (see below pic) similar to the one in
Shravanabelagola .
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| Glass Enclosure to Protect Inscriptions |
Directions from Panaji: Panaji - NH17 - Margao - Take left turn - Quepem - Tilamol - Right turn - Rivona - Colomba - Right turn near mining area - Follow the Protected site board .
Distance from Panaji: 75 kms
Places to Visit around: Rivona,
Kurdi,
Surla, Canacona, Margao,
Arvalem and many more.
Trip date: 5 April' 2011
Related Posts:
1.
Prehistoric sites of Sanganakallu and Kappagallu
2.
Standing stones of Byse, Shimoga
3.
Neolithic Ash mounds of Kudatini
Very interesting..The river must have looked very serene in real. I have seen the mica protection in Shravanabelagola as well. Good idea.!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a must see place in Goa :)
ReplyDeleteanother gem! thank you!
ReplyDeleteI do hope they take steps to protect these and they are fascinating! Terrific captures as always! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Absolutely brilliant, the carvings are very interesting and what terrific captures!
ReplyDeleteLast May I was in Goa , one more trip would be there by the end of 2011. Shall check here what I have missed during my earlier visit.
ReplyDeleteamazing carving pics ..well captured!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting place. I should definitely visit it during my next visit to Goa. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteoh amazin n interestin ya :D
ReplyDeleteThis unheard place is really interesting. This is now in my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteIt seems so old just out of the history.
ReplyDeleteI had heard about this place and also mentioned it in a blog comment on another topic but have never managed to go there yet.Thanks for the post and pictures, make me want to put this on top of the list!
ReplyDeletethanks for this post guys. This one is Unknown to many. Good photos.
ReplyDeleteRajesh.
beautiful pics
ReplyDeletebeautiful art work
I wasn't aware of this place. Great shots.
ReplyDeletesomething very different!
ReplyDeletewow. Sanguem? Never been there. how is the beach
ReplyDeleteThat is what i call discovery, great to be first one in the spot.....seems inviting by your photos and description. kudos.
ReplyDelete