Rivona Buddhist Caves

South Goa


Around 3km south of the village of Zambaulim, the road passes through Rivona, which consists of little more than a few houses spread out along the roadside. The Rivona Buddhist caves (also called Pandava caves) are rock-cut caves thought to have been used by Buddhist monks in the 7th century. Look out for strips of red cloth, hung auspiciously from an old tamarind tree nearby.

The main cave’s entrance is just beside an ablutions tank and small well. Ask directions in the village and look out for a small sign pointing to Shri Santhsa Gokarn. The caves are a short way up the dirt track, which comes to an end at a tiny temple,


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby South Goa attractions

1. Usgalimal Petroglyphs

2.46 MILES

One of Goa’s least visited but most fascinating sights is deep in the countryside at Usgalimal: a series of prehistoric petroglyphs (rock art), carved…

2. Shri Damodar Temple

2.74 MILES

Approximately 12km southeast of Chandor and 22km from Margao, on the border of Quepem and Sanguem talukas, is the small village of Zambaulim, home to the…

3. Palácio do Deão

5.17 MILES

About 8km southeast of Chandor is the busy small town of Quepem. Here the Palácio do Deão, the renovated 18th-century palace built by the town’s founder,…

4. Salaulim Dam & Botanical Gardens

5.65 MILES

About 26km southeast of Margao, Salaulim Dam is a major reservoir supplying irrigation and drinking water to South Goa. For visitors the dam wall is quite…

5. Shri Chandreshwar Temple

6.99 MILES

Approximately 14km southeast of Margao near the village of Paroda, a number of hills rise out of the plain, the highest of which is Chandranath Hill (350m…

6. Fernandes House

8.78 MILES

A kilometre east past the church, and open to the public, is the Fernandes House, whose original building dates back more than 500 years, while the…

7. Braganza House East Wing

8.9 MILES

The East Wing of Braganza House is owned by the Pereira-Braganza family. It’s not as grand and well-maintained as its western counterpart, but is…

8. Braganza House

8.9 MILES

Braganza House, built in the 17th century and stretching along one whole side of Chandor’s village square, is the biggest Portuguese mansion of its kind…