Visiting the Baba under a Banyan Tree – Arambol – Goa

Surreal sunsets, 4 AM Beach Parties, mouth-watering seafood, Bikini-clad Russians, Night out at Shacks, and Cheaper than water alcohol. Yes, I am talking about Goa. But no, it is not about those absurd Goan stories which you would have heard many times.

This is about a banyan tree baba and his peace garden. Surrounded by people from different parts of the world, coming diligently to visit him for peace and tranquility with their family and friends. It’s an experience you should not miss the next time if you are traveling to Goa.

How I came to know about baba?

On my stay at one of the Hostel near to Mandrem beach, I met a nomad from Austria named Alex. He told me about a baba situated near to the Arambol beach. Not that one of the religious bunch, but what all I had heard about that baba was exciting enough to give him a try. I was told that I have to take some fruit for the baba and in return, he gives a magical booti as prasad. I was also told that I can have a mud bath at baba’s ashram and converge with many of the other foreigners who visit baba’s peace garden.

How to get to the Banyan Baba?

One has to start walking towards north of Arambol Beach Cliff. After 10 mins of leisure walk on the Cliff, we will be able to find a secluded stretch of beach with the mighty sea on one side and a sweet water lake on the other. Set amongst a small forest of palm trees on the backside of the beach, the still water echoes the rippling ocean. The picturesque landscape surrounding the Sweet water lake, is locally known as Vagkolam Lake.

Keep walking to the end of the lake and you will find a clean way climbing up the hill in the grove. Keep chasing the path. The walk will take around 30 mins to be covered. You will be surprised by travelers from around the world who cross by you. Also, you will be guided to the path by a couple of really friendly dogs.

These trails have a few messages for you, if you are carrying a beer-bottle or plastics in hand you are intended to dump it somewhere in the grove. Halfway into the trek, you are greeted by a small portion of the lake, that leaks the ‘Multani Mitti’ rock deposits. These are nothing but a clay substance that is hugely popular for its healing property against scars and acne. It is very rich in magnesium chloride. Just keep following the trail applying the mitti stuff and you will reach the Banyan Baba.

Ready to meet and greet you, baba will be surrounded by his followers. Though the Baba as told is not a constant one changes every 4-5 months he sits under the Big Banyan tree. Travelers come here with pots and enjoy the peace, chanting mantras being played in the background and tourists sharing fruits and chillum around them in circles.

Once you have attained peace and taken in the whole fresh air there, its time to descent down. People often apply Multani Mitti from the small lagoon-like lake on their way back.

Once we reached down, near the origin of the freshwater lake, our attention will shift to the beautiful isolated stretch of Arambol beach. The last time I did the trails it was in the afternoon on a hot summertime. I reached there around 2.45 and returned at 5:40 pm, just in time of sunset. I took some easy chairs and a bottle of beer and settled down to enjoy the beautiful sunset to make that more memorable.