Bhandardara near Pune

Bhandardara a remote village area, nestled in peaks of Western ghats, is lesser known tourist spot outside Pune. By road it seems to be closer to Nashik
rather then Pune or Mumbai.




Until reaching Bhandardara I wasnt very sure of its worthiness, initial plan was for overnight stay at Bhandardara spend 2/3 hours and then drive towards Malshej ghat.

Infact until Ale Phata, town near Malshej ghat, locals didn't know exact directions for Bhandardara which was supporting & adding onto my apprehension. But was also encouraging that we would be able to get overnight accommodation because it seemed lesser known and well known places were fully booked even before starting from Pune.



After a long 4 hours drive we started seeing signs for Bhandardara and also could see landscape gradually transitioning from dry and brown to pleasant green.
Drive after Rajur, town just before Bhandardara, changed drastically from green farmlands to mountainous terrain.

Weather was bright, sunny and clear i.e perfect for photography. Though dry trails of waterfalls on the far mountains meant lesser interesting views, but some places did have gushing waterfalls.

Speelway gate was first impressive offering of Bhandardara which immediately cleared my apprehension. Very impressive Civil engineering work to control very active water reservoir.

Since we still had to hunt for overnight accommodation, we rushed past Speelway and grudingly compromised onto poorly equipped Hotel Aishwaryam due to time constraint, location of overlooking Bhandardara Dam reservoir and biggest of all its proximity to MTDC Bhandardara resort.




After confirming our booking, we drove back down to base of Bhandardara Dam and enjoyed a small track to overpowering Umbrella falls. Havent seen such strong
Waterfall upclose. Turely captivating sight of HUGE dam and STRONG waterfall.

We went back to Speelway gate, enjoyed the panaromic view along with savouring the Vada Pav and hot cup of tea. I was now convinced that visiting Bhandardara was right choice.




Randha falls, our next stop, has beautiful twin strong waterfalls. Best view is enjoyed by 10 minutes walk to the tip of the cliff, where both falls can be
seen and merging into surprisingly tranquil stream. Top view of waterfalls easily reminds one of Grand Canyon.


On Sunday, inspite of hectic Saturday, we managed to complete our breakfast and start by 9:30 am. After unhappily paying entry fee of Rs 110.00 we started
our drive through preserved area towards Harishchandra garh and Kalsubai.



Rustic Panjra village had uncountable waterfalls and took us almost 30 mins to drive through a very small village. Unlike yesterday it was raining steady and
too many. Omen of good journey ahead.

Kalsubai, highest peak of Maharashtra, and nearby peaks were all covered by mobile clouds but driving around them revealed rich craftmanship of nature.



KonakanKada was our next stop a great location overlooking a dam, thankfully clouds sparsed enough for us enjoy the sight.




Amruteshwar Temple, of God Shiva, is impressively located near a pond and surrounded by hills. Very peace instilling location.

50 kms of loop took us three long hours because of indescribable beauty of nature and countless waterfalls acting as magnet; forcing us to stop, drench and
absorb in the flow.




Malshej, 80 kms from Bhandardara was our next stop, took about 3 hours to reach. Mainly due to backroad drive and the battered roads. Banana, Wheat, Brinjal
and numerous other farms along the routes are worth driving the route.



Around 3:30 pm we reached Malshej, after a quick refreshing break at Atur town. Malshej ghat was covered by thick clouds with visibility of bearly 5 meters.

Route is very narrow and heavy trucks and buses plying on it could easily prove fatal so we had to turn quickly around for safety reasons.

Though nothing like Bhandardara dam, Pimple Joga dam was pleasing with birds flying around and fishing.
Highway 222 connecting Ale phata to Kalyan, is already my faovrite route to drive around.

Click for more Photos

My video capture of Bhandardara on YouTube:

Randha falls Video

Bhandardara waterfalls Video

Kalsubai mountain peak Video

Umbrella waterfall Video

Konkankada Site Video

Nearby Places to see:

Malshej Ghat, Pimple Joga dam, Nashik City, Ojhar and Lenyadri Ashtanvinayak Ganpati temples, Shinveri fort at Junnar, Bhimashankar temple

Directions:
From Pune its about 200 kms, takes about 4 hours due to single lane Nashik Highway (NH-50). After crossing Manchar and reaching Narayangaon, make sure you ask villagers the directions for Bhandardara.
Malshej ghat is 40 KMS after turning left from Ale Phata, which is NH 222, Bhandardara can be reached both ways either continue straight from Ale phata (NH-50) or by taking left towards Malshej continue right and then turning right on reaching Autr town ( about 20/30kms) on NH-222

Panshet day trip

Panshet Dam's biggest tourist attraction is the water sports facility.Panshet Dam's tourist can enjoy motor boat, jet sking, rowing in theresevoir etc.
Panshet Dam's water reservoir is called Tanaji Sagar.

Group motor boating is for 8-10 persons. Panshet motor boatinghas two packages and lasts for 15-25 minutes in the silentand secluded hillocks.

But unsophisticated motor boats are noisy and disturbing.Nevertheless they offer a good view of the Panshet dam's wall.Boats are not allowed close to the Panshet dam wall

Surprisingly motor boats ride are in the drinking water of Pune.It is indeed a health hazard.

Kids and Teens have more to do at Panshet dam, it has a micro-small race track with mini-scooters and mini-cars. Panshet Dam vacationers can enjoy teens doing small stunt in the Panshet race track.
Trekkers in Panshet dam have plenty of option and canget good view from height of few hundred feet, but didn'topt for any such adventure since we started late afternoon.

Panshet drive dam is not bad, actually one can easily climb the Panshet dam wall - but its illegal. We didn't climb the wall stleast I didnt want to spoil me outing by getting in legal row

Time to visit
Post monsoon and winter one see plenty of delighful birds on the way to Panshet Dam.

Nearby Places
Panshet Dam's visitors can plan a days vacation to Panshet dam area.
Khadakvasla and Varasgaon dam are within 5-12 kms.

Hisoric Singhgad fort is much before Panshet dam and is normallycrowded. Many people visit Singhgad during weekend for trekkingand jogging.
Farther trail of Singhgad fort offers a breathtaking view of thevalley including the Panshet dam.



Spiritual center of Yoganandaji is also on the way. Organisation was started by author of internationally acclaimed book Autobiography of a Yogi

Directions
Panshet Dam, South West of Pune, is about 45 kms from Pune and takes 1 hour to reach.

Parking charges, Boating Charges, Race Track Charges. Parking charges can be avoided by parking outside the property,while Race track charges arr only for riders.Boating charges cannot be avoided, else there would be hardlyanything to do.

Chaturshringi : mother of Pune University

Since the Chaturshringi temple of Pune is peacefully overlooking the Pune unversity area, I like to call it mother of Pune University.
Chaturshringi temple offers good package of spiritual and physical well-beingChaturshringi temple is located opposite Pune university on Senapati Bapat Road or S B Road.

Chaturshringi is most crowded during both Navratri (9 days of spiritual devotion) of the year and elaborate people co-ordination perparations are done.

Ambience of Chaturshringi temple impressive due to beautiful hillscaping and fine maintenance. A virtue which many temple trusts of India need to pick and learn.

More Photos

Chaturshringi Temple Grand entrance

Chaturshringi Temple Steps

Devotees have to climb more than 100 steps to reach the actual goddess Chaturshringi shrine on the hill.
Whats striking is that phera (Divine walk around the idol) is on small hill which offers a pleasing view on Pune University Road.

During afternoon do wear socks to avoid feet burn due to intense sunlight.
Temple also has God Ganesh temple and includes 8 miniature idols of Ashta Vinyaka along the periphery.

Hillscaping offers a good place to relax for family, visitors, tourists of Chaturshringi temple. Early evening is good time to visit to enjoy beatuful birds and solace ofthe place.

Chaturshringi temple of Pune is also used for quick getaway from hustle-bustle of chaotic Pune traffic.

Many groups organise scoial gathering in big campus of Pune Chaturshringi temple.

Bhimashanker God Shiva's Jyotirling temple near Mumbai Pune

Bhimashanker temple, one of the 12 jyotirlinga temples of God Shiva, is of spiritual and religious significance. God Shiva's Bhimashanker temple is very ancient, but due to current renovation only few parts of temple reveal the ancient construction.Intricate artwork on the solid stones at the narrow entrance door of the temple is one area which proclaims the historical value.
Bhima river originates from Bhimashanker.


More photos:
Bhimashanker Temple
Small dam near Ambegaon on-way for Bhimashanker temple
Scene before Bhimashanker temple

Maha Shivratri (somewhere in Feb / March) is the good time to visit the temple as devoteesand followers make the atmosphere vibrant and overwhelming.To grasp the true vibrations of the place we visited during Navratri.



Travelling to Bhimashanker, about 120KMs from Pune, is climbing on 2 land planes.One near Manchar and second aclivity near Ghodegaon. Overall drive is very good, after Manchar is road gets narrow and uphill drive slows average speed but thats when good part of the drive starts, i.e. from Ghodegaon area.

Tourists and trekkers can enjoy a half day trek on the rocky waterfall path of the temple.Yes dont venture during the monsoon to avoid being washed into Shayadri ghats.
Bhimashanker promises adventures for tourists, travellers as there are no proper signsto walk down the long multi-trails. Avoid the trails if you are short on time.

Bhimashanker temple of God Shiva had a nearby MTDC resort but it was closed for renovation.For overnight camping and picnic near Bhimashanker temple of God Shiva, there few local resortsand hotels. However Blue Mormon jungle resort reveals quality and is good, safe place for family with small kids and children. Blue Mormon jungle resort is named after local butterfly.

A small dam beautifies the valley near Ambegaon while driving from Pune to Bhimashaker temple of God Shiva.

Parking Charges are Rs 10.00. After parking one has to walk for 1 km to reach the temple

Directions:
From Mumbai, take central railway train and alight at Karjat station. From Karjat take a bus or a local trnasport.
From Pune, Take Nasik highway - NH 50. After 60 kms at Manchar, turn left on state highway 53 towards Ghodegaon. At the mosque turn left towards Ambegaon and continue for 60 kms.

Blissful Mulshi Dam with Sai

Mulshi Dam is a ideal place for a quick family day picnic or an overnight adventure at outskirts of Pune.
Located at high altitude of Sahyadri ranges, in Western Ghats, Mulshi Dam area offers a good combo pack of a scenic Mulshi dam, beautiful winding roads, calm Mulshi lake, refreshing greenery, simple farming villages and abundance of flora, fauna.


More Photos at ....
Mulshi photos ...

Mulshi Dam is not only good for short family vacation but Trekkers too can enjoy Mulshi area with numerous small trails and a majestic viewof Tamhini ghat leading tourists towards Konkan region.

Nature Photographers have plenty to quench their artisitc thirst in the serene Mulshi Dam area.

Tourists ideally visit Mulshi during monsoon, but winters in Mulshi is also good option for tourists with choice of overnight trip in one of local resorts.

We stayed at private farmhouse Silver Oaks at Malle village near Mulshi.A remote village with no disturbing cell phone but easy roadconnectivity and steady power supply.

Sliver Oaks farmhouse near Mulshi has plenty of sugarcane farms around it, also big lawn for small children to play around etc

Mulshi trip highlight was late night camp fire at farmhouse and early morning Sun-tea of cold winter is still relished.

I enjoyed the bliss of idyllic strolling in farms, melodious birds and yoga in clean open air of winter morning with dewdrops on green grass.

On 2nd day we visited grand Sai Baba Temple and Satya Sai baba ashram at Haadshi village about 15 kms from Mulshi. The Spirital centre is located on a flat hillock circled by bigger mountains ... one naturally feels elevated.


Grandeur of the Sai Baba ashram and its beautiful geographical location overloking small vliages is mesmerizing.

Our luncheon was at Girivan - man made hilltop town. Its location reminded me of Amby Valley near Lonavala and Lavasa high profile scam townships. Food was acceptable but Girivan was bit run-down due to poor maintenance.

World renowned Chinmaya mission's Sadhana (Meditation) center is located nearby.
Mahindra's prestigious and expensive World Institute is located about 8 kms from Girivan on another hill.

Directions:

Mulshi dam is in Mulshi taluka (sub-district) and is located on state highway 60 of Maharashtra state, about 40 kms from Pune.

Rs. 15.00 per car Toll atChandni Chowk, Bavdhan.

Rs 50.00 per head entrance for Girivan.

It costs around INR Rs.1750 per night and extra charges for food at Mulshi resorts or farmhouse.

Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar : Kashmir of Maharashtra

Panchgani - 5 hills, Mahabaleshwar - God of great power.
.Hope the travel experience is good Mahabaleshwar guide and Panchgani guide for vacation and tourism. Enjoy the Mahabaleshwar photos and Panchgani photos.
I like to term Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar as Kashmir of Maharashtra.
(Kashmir is considered to be more beautiful than renowned Swiss Alps Ranges).

Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar are ideal location for tourists planning overnight vacation of 2-3 days in the cloudy Sahyadri hills on Deccan Plateau overlooking the mystic blue river waters of different reivers are Venna, Koyna, Krishna etc .... from height of few thousand feet.
For trekking and backpacker Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani offers good terrains to adventure from hill top to the lush green villages along the lake shores.

Bhilar waterfalls of Panchgani

Panchgani is a well set small tourist town with plenty of hotels, lodges, restaurants. Generally people stay at Panchgani during night and enjoy sightseeing of various points like famous Table Land, Parsi point, Bhim Chula, Harrisons valley.

Local travel options include horse cart, private taxi's, bicycle, atuo rickshaws etc
No Panchgani Visitor can unnotice the numerous boarding (resident) schools for kids.
Many parents in Mumbai and Pune aspire their kids to be educated in one of these schools.
Travelling in Panchgani is along straight hill while sight seeing in Mahabaleshar is along a loop.

Kates Point, Needle Hole point is one of the first and most popular places of Mahabaleshwar. Elphinstone Point, Lodwick Point, Wilson Point etc ...many more on-cliff points make Mahabaleshwar vacation excursion slightly adventerous.



For nature lovers and photographers, Mahabaleshwar offers colorful and delightful sights.

Old Mahabaleshwar is a must see for any tourist, spiritual seekers, travellers, historians

Travel to Mahabaleshwar has one additional advantage, apart from scenic beauty - travellers can can also visit gets the 5000 yrs old historic temple of Lord Ganesha.
But spiritual seekers desire more for the pilgrim of the nearby Lord Shiva temple.
Lord Shiva temple in old Mahabaleshwar is one of the 12 Jyotir Ling (intentional Self appearance of Shiva Ling) temples in India.
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Legend goes as that Lord Shiva temple in Mahabaleshwar was built by Dharma Guru of Pandavas of Mahabharata based on vision in a dream. (Mahabharata is the worlds biggest epic and is contexted in Bhagvad Gita - a widely used popular text where Lord Krishna teaches great warrior Arjuna the spiritual gems of Vedantna - seprate comprehensive texts containing reality and purpose of life analysed, studied, practised and documented by ancient Rishis (spiritual scholars) eons before modern civilisation.

Big solid stones of all three temples in Mahabaleshwar very easily overwhlems not only the spiritual devotee but also any visitor.

Historians, Archeiologist, Interior designer can get a education quick tour of ancient Indian culture and construction capabilities.


Walking inside the the Lord Shiva temple of Mahabaleshwar is like travelling few thousand years back in time into ancient India. Temple very impressive from inside a true privilege for a visitor like me.

Panchganga temple of Mahabaleshwar is another must see place for tourists.
Constuction of Panchganga - 5 rivers is also imppressive with open water pool collecting the fresh mountain stream water … visitors of Panchganga temple of Mahabaleshwar can safely taste the sweet water.
Panchganga name signifies the confluence of Koyna, Krishna, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri rivers.
All Five rivers are very aptly modelled in the ancient Panchganga temple of Mahabaleshwar and their refreshing sweet waters being stored for devotees and tourists in open dynamic pool.



Family with small kids and women can equally enjoy Mahabaleshwar as it offers horse riding, boating etc at Lake Venna.
And yes please don’t forget to enjoy the corn fritters - corn vadas.

Visitors interested in history can stretch 30 kms further to visit Maratha kingdoms Pratapgarh fort when Shivaji Maharaj was the king.

15 kms from the fort is Dambhod village which offers spectacular mountaineous views similar to ones in Lord Of the Rings.

Hope it server as Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani guide and help you in tentative trip planning for one day or 2 or 3 days. Enjoy your road trip to Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani

Tolls:

Both Panchangi and Mahabaleshwar have tolls of about INR 30.00 per 4-wheelers and INR 15.00. So around INR 100.00 - INR 200.00 goes on toll (depending on number of people - drivers are spared :-) ).

Good news is that toll receipts are valid for 7 days in Panchangi and Mahabaleshwar, so tourists dont have to pay everyday

Directions:
Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar are in Satara district of Maharashtra state of India.
Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar barely 20 kms apart are located on hill-top.
From Pune or Mumbai take the Mumbai - Pune Expressway and continue on Banglore Expressway for another 120kms.
From village of Wai, ascent of the hill begins and takes to Panchgani.
Near by Places:
Pratapgarh Fort, dozens of cascaded peaks make you feel as in stone age.
Time To Visit:
June to January. I prefer June to September when all hills are lush green due to rainy season
and plenty of waterfalls with easy acess.
Monsoon also wipes out the smoggy pollution of the atmosphere.
Risk of monsoon is that beauty of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani is held hostage by layers of clouds.
Fun to Fly paraglider in Panchgani
Decent Resorts, Hotels and lodging in Panchgani Mahabaleshwar:
MTDC resort, Shreyas Resort, Swiss Country Resort Saj resort, Sumn Raj Resort, Dina Hotel, Hotel Rajesh, Vimal Garden
Economic Resorts, Hotels and lodging in Panchgani Mahabaleshwar:
Madhuban, Regal, Satkar, Hotel Apsara, Hotel Mountain View, Ravine Hotel, Cliff Inn Resorts, Mount Castle Bungalow Resort