Mandovi River
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The Mandovi River, is described as the lifeline of the state of Goa, India. The river, originating at Jamboti, with its cerulean waters and Dudhsagar Falls and Varapoha Falls is also known as the Gomati in a few places, has its origin at Bhimgad in the Western Ghats. Mandovi, along with the Zuari River, form the two primary rivers in the state. In the state of Goa, the river has a length of 77 kilometres.
The Mandovi enters Goa from the north via the Sattari taluka. The Mandovi flows through Cumbarjua, Divadi and Chodné along the way. The waters of the Mandovi and Zuari both flush out into the Arabian Sea at a common point at Cabo Aguada forming the Marmogoa harbour. Panaji, the state capital and Old Goa, the former capital of Goa, are both situated on the left bank of the Mandovi. The river Mapusa is a tributary of the Mandovi.
The Cumbarjuem Canal, which links both rivers, has made the interiors of the Mandovi accessible to ships which ferry iron ore, Goa's prime mineral, mined in the eastern hills. Three large freshwater isles — Divar, Chorao and Vashee are present in the Mandovi near the town of Old Goa. The island of Chorao, is home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, named after the renowned ornithologist Salim Ali. A regular ferry transports the inhabitants between the isles to the mainland.
Spanning across the Mandovi River near Panjim is the majestic Mandovi Bridge. The bridge was notorious for its collapses in the 1980s before a new bridge was constructed to ferry heavy transport vehicles. The Mandovi Bridge links the towns of Panjim to Betim.
During the winter months, the peak tourist season, special dusk cruises on the Mandovi complete with serenading bands add to the charm of the river.
