Curdi: A Seasonal Village That Appears Once a Year in May

Kurdi, or Curdi hamlet in Goa, is a somewhat popular place for something only visible for a little more than a month of the year. Confused? The Kurdi settlement was flooded in the 1980s when the Salaulim Dam produced a reservoir. Thus, visiting Curdi is like venturing into a part of Goa’s history that you know future generations won’t be able to see. Even if some of these signs of civilization were to endure, the state would change with each passing year. So, prepare to book cheap flight tickets to India from Canada with Tripbeam, and come along with us as we explore Curdi: A seasonal village that appears once a year in May.

Curdi Village

Whether submerged or not, Kurdi Village is situated in Sanguem, about 5 km from the Salaulim Dam’s catchment region. Every year, as the water level drops, the normally unseen village reappears at the height of summer, between April and May. Over these three to four weeks of resurfacing, the elderly people of Kurdi village come to view their once-loved home—or what’s left of it. This one brings back a lot of memories.

This yearly event gained popularity as more people saw the peasants’ solemn return to their homes.

In April and May, tourists can see the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel, the 18th-century Someshwar Temple, the crumbling boundaries of the Kurdi hamlet, and the remnants of the dwellings of approximately 634 households. Notably, a Hindu temple to the god Shiva from the tenth and eleventh centuries was moved to a nearby location.

When to Visit Curdi Village?

There’s a very short window of time in which you can visit the Goan village. The second half of May is the best time to visit the village. You can check the monsoon forecast and try to travel as late as possible to avoid Goa’s pre-monsoon showers.

The extent to which the settlement and its remnants are visible will rely on how far the water has receded. Thus, what you see varies a little bit every year, other than a few prominent spots like the hilltop Someshwar Temple. You can experience Goa from USA also at cheap flights from Tripbeam.com

History of Curdi Village

More than 17 villages in the Sanguem Taluka of Goa were relocated—not just Curdi—to make place for the Salaulim dam’s catchment area. The dam’s concept was first proposed by Goa’s first chief minister in the late 1970s. The villagers were relocated to the neighboring villages of Velip and Valkini in 1983–1984.

The village was located on the banks of the Kushavati River. The Someshwar temple was perched on a slope not far from the banks of the river. It still stands proud today, serving as a constant reminder of the hamlet that once surrounded it.

Salaulim Dam

The Salaulim Dam is a feat of architecture. The largest artificial reservoir in Goa is the resulting reservoir. Its fame stems from the duckbill spillway of Salaulim Dam. Its design permits the monsoon season’s excess water to escape through a semi-circular aperture. People are drawn to it because of its sinkhole-like appearance. So, browse through Tripbeam to book air tickets from Ontario to India today!

Temples of Curdi

The social life of a village in India revolves around its temple, which serves as the community’s religious and social center.

Sri Someshwar Temple

This had to be the main temple in the village. The sanctuary still stands with its two stories. This was the residence of the deity, Someshwar, a Shivalinga. Inside the temple is a stone slab with twelve markings on it, most likely representing the twelve months or the twelve zodiac signs.

The Deepstambha of the temple seems to be drowning, but it still stands tall.

In front is a concrete structure called Shezo. It has two arched doors one facing the temple and the other the river. There was formerly a stage between the temple and the river, and this served as the green room for performances. It served the artists and the temple as a storehouse and music room as well.

Curdi Mahadev Temple

This stone temple dates from the 12th century CE and was carried, stone by stone, to a location near Salaulim Dam. This accomplishment alone should make ASI proud. There are not many structures that have experienced such a thorough relocation.

It currently stands behind the Salaulim dam, with the stones displaying the ASI-marked movement.

The Devi Image

Here, a massive picture of the mother goddess was carved out of a laterite rock. This boulder was removed with care, and it was placed in the community of Verna, South Goan. It is accessible from the Verna location of the original Mahalasa Narayani Temple.

Travel Tips for Curdi Village

Margao is 30 kilometers southeast of Curdi. Make sure you go in a group as the latter portion of the route can be challenging.
Bring lots of water because it gets really hot there and there is no shade of any kind.
You won’t find any food there, so make plans appropriately.
Put on shoes that are comfortable to climb and descend.
Examine the area before stepping onto it; there can be loose mud.
Since this is a forested environment, be prepared to encounter a wide variety of wildlife, including reptiles.
Go there only during the day, and make sure you leave and return before it gets dark.
Nothing should be brought back from the area, especially forest goods.

To Sum Up

Curdi is a unique village that offers its fortunate guests a one-of-a-kind experience. This is a rare opportunity to witness the fusion of culture and environment. If you’re excited about discovering these undiscovered treasures and want to travel to Curdi, think about using Tripbeam to book cheap flights from Fort McMurray to India. We provide a variety of ways to find reasonable flights to India, increasing the accessibility of your trip to Curdi. So, take advantage of the chance to experience Curdi’s magic during its brief yearly visit in May.

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