Located in Ahmednagar, the Bhandardara is a hill station that attract thousands of tourist every year, find near places to visit, best timing, things to see, picnic spot and attraction, waterfall for a weekend trip & distance. Bhandardara is encapsulated in the Sahyadri mountain range in Maharashtra on the banks of river Pravara. Folklore says that pleased with Agastya ‘muni’s’ penance, blessed him with river Parvara, a stream of river Ganga. The valley of treasures as it literally means is the seat to one of the largest lake and oldest dams with gushing waterfalls during the monsoon makes it an adventurous visit for the tourists.
How to Reach Bhandardara
The holiday resort village near Igatpur is located in the Ahmednagar district of the state of Maharashtra 185 kilometers away from Mumbai, 171 kilometers from Pune and 72 kilometers from Nashik. The state does not have an airport of its own but the nearest railway station is the Igatpuri railway station, only 35 kilometers away from where visitors can board state buses or taxi to reach the destination. Since the distance isn’t much, visitors can choose to drive to this place from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik or other nearby places.
Things to Do in Bhandardara
This hill station offers quite a few sightseeing attractions.The Wilson Dam situated here is one of the oldest dams in our country built on the Pravara river at 150 meters above the sea level. The garden at the base of the dam offers a great picnic spot for families. Two waterfalls, Randha falls and Umbrella falls that spout down during the monsoon months add to the scenic beauty of the place.
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The Arthur Lake formed from the Pravara Lake is the reservoir behind the Wilson Dam. The place surrounded by thick canopies of forest and hills provides a spectacular view and an amazing backdrop for clicking excellent photographs. The spot is a great camping site and visitors may enjoy a dip in the river or take a boat ride amidst the breathtaking scenery. Close to Arthur Lake is the Amruteshwar temple carved out of stone standing surrounded by peaks which is believed to have been built by the Pandavas in one night.
Amazing many trekking and hiking routes of Bhandardara, one such route leads to the two thousand year old Ratangad fort which was a favorite place of Shivaji and was captured by him. The fort has four gates and one needs to climb up ladders in order to enter the main area. Another place that tourists can track up to is mount Kalsubai, the highest peak the mountain range. The place offers a bird’s eye view of the entire place. At the same place is located the Kalsubai temple devoted to the local deity called Kalsubai.
Places to Visit near Bhandardara
So here are some best places to visit in Bhandardara during a weekend trip or new year picnic with your family and friends:
- Ghatghar, located 22 kilometers away from Bhandardara offers an overall view of the western ghat mountains.
- Sandhan valley, located 25 kilometers away, is a home to various waterfalls that are only active in the monsoon season.
- Saputara is another beautiful hill station 153 kilometers away from the spot situated on the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The place not only offers a panoramic view but it’s hills, sanctuaries and garden attract tourists. Igatpur which is the railhead of the hill station makes an ideal place for a pleasant weekend stay.
Nasik, Pune, Mumbai are some of the nearby cities that tourists can drop by.
Best Time to Vist
The mountain village of Bhandardara hasn’t been commercialized yet thus, the place offers nature’s beauty in the rawest form, making it all the more attractive. To experience the rustic charm of this rural village of Maharashtra, the best time to visit is between the months June and October that is during the monsoon months when the cascading waterfalls are in their full force and the climate is soothing.
Bhandardara Weather Overview
Sr. No. | Month | Temperature |
1 | January | 15-31 Degree Celsius |
2 | February | 18-33 Degree Celsius |
3 | March | 20-34 Degree Celsius |
4 | April | 23-36 Degree Celsius |
5 | May | 26-36 Degree Celsius |
6 | June | 25-33 Degree Celsius |
7 | July | 24-29 Degree Celsius |
8 | August | 24-29 Degree Celsius |
9 | September | 23-29 Degree Celsius |
10 | October | 21-32 Degree Celsius |
11 | November | 16-33 Degree Celsius |
12 | December | 16-32 Degree Celsius |