What's bubbling beneath!

Exactly 89 kilometres from Mapusa lies a tranquil village called Netravali, situated on the periphery of a 211.05 sq. km wildlife sanctuary that shares borders with the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and the state of Karnataka. As you enter the village, the quiet lanes lined with a canopy of trees signal that you are approaching a wildlife zone—home to some of the most splendid creatures of the Western Ghats region.

But this travelogue isn’t about the sanctuary, its residents, or the deciduous vegetation interwoven with evergreen and semi-evergreen habitats. It is about the ancient Gopinath Temple, located just a kilometre before the sanctuary’s gate.

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the historic temple was built by the Kadamba King Jayakeshi I. I found the structure simple, yet steeped in chapters of history lost to time. The house-like design, made from mud and coated with lime, radiated vibrant maroon and pink hues, suggesting it had recently undergone a thorough renovation due to its growing popularity.

Inside the temple stands a beautiful idol of Lord Krishna, playing the flute under the Kalpavriksha, the mythical wish-fulfilling tree. Outside, in front of the temple, lies the famous Budbudyanchi Tali (Bubbles Tank), a square-shaped pond near its steps. The water was crystal clear, and a few local boys were joyfully taking dips. They swam across the sacred tank like carefree fish, secure in the knowledge that no one would try to catch them.

Right in the middle of the pond stands a dilapidated Linga with a Trishul, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It might once have been a thriving Shiva shrine, now unable to withstand the test of time. Taking in the scene, I descended the laterite stone steps to let my feet experience the soothing embrace of the water.

And then, I did what many tourists do while standing near the water body—I clapped my hands. To my delight, I discovered bubbles leaping joyfully in response. Curious, I shifted my position and clapped again, this time a little louder. Once more, the bubbles emerged, rising to kiss the water’s surface. I repeated this over and over until my excited heart whispered, “Enough.”

The strange part was that I expected the bubbles to appear nearby, but they popped up unpredictably across the pond. It was delightful watching the ripples of bubbles and listening to the gurgling sounds, which felt as though a child was using a straw to blow into the water— or perhaps as if Lord Krishna himself was playing his flute to create soulful music through those bubbles.   

 

This entire episode felt mysterious, but a few years ago, science offered a different explanation—one that is yet to be fully proven. According to researchers, the bubbles result from methane and carbon dioxide gases produced by the decomposition of organic matter beneath a layer of sand used in the pond’s construction.

I thought, let the scientists delve deeper to uncover what’s bubbling beneath. Meanwhile, I decided to explore the surroundings.

The temple’s proximity to the sanctuary makes it a haven for many delightful birds. I spotted a few backyard species like bulbuls, barbets, and sunbirds, while others preferred to stay hidden among the treetops. Like the bubbles in the pond, they would appear briefly, only to vanish quickly into the layers of the canopy.