This is the most famous lake in Goa and also one of the most popular tourist destinations on the itinerary of all the conducted sight-seeing tours. The lake is located in Bicholim taluka in north Goa, east of the market town of Mapusa. The region in which the lake is located is mostly unspoiled countryside full of sleepy villages. The lake itself sits on wooded shores in a landscape of low hills. Birdlife is plentiful here, with a variety of birds making their home on the shores of the lake. The placid waters of this lake are ideal for boating. Small pedal-operated boats are available for a charming boat ride on the lake. The lake has on its grounds a shady park which boasts of an excellent cafeteria and several other stalls, the most popular of which is the soft drink ones.
The GTDC-run Mayem Lake Resort offers inexpensive accommodation in self-contained cottages and dormitories. A short drive away from the lake is the residence and chapel of the erstwhile count of Mayem. En route is a small water fountain built-in 1927 as the plaque indicates which still supplies water to neighboring residents. Worth visiting nearby in the picturesque village of Mayem is the Kumbharwado where villagers belong mainly to the farming community. But they do not till the lands until after the celebration of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. They are engaged in an activity of an entirely different kind. Most families of the Kumbharwado locality make Ganesh idols out of terracotta which is shipped all around Goa for the festival. The idol making is an art passed on from generation to generation and produces some of the most beautiful and colorful idols in the state.
How to Reach:
There is a number of buses that operate from Mapusa and Panaji to Bicholim and from there to Mayem Lake. The nearest Interstate bus stand is the KTC bus station at Mapusa. You can also take a taxi or motorbike on rent from Panaji to reach this beautiful lake.
Distance:
25.9 km from Panaji via Britona to Aldona to Mayem – 48mins
39.9 km from Dabolim Airport via Carambolim to Divar Island to Mayem – 1hr 48mins
51.7 km from Dabolim Airport via Panaji to Britona to Aldona to Mayem – 1hr 17mins
53.6 km from Margao Railway Station via Borim to Betora highway to Usgao to Cudnem – 1hr 18mins
