Bhandardara
Bhandardara is a holiday resort village on the western coast of India. The village is located in the Ahmednagar district of the state of Maharashtra, about 185 kilometers (115 mi) from Mumbai.
Bhandardara sits by the Pravara River, and is a blend of natural beauty, waterfalls, mountains, tranquility, greenery, invigorating air and pristine ambiance. The Bhandardara Lake and the Randha falls are major tourist attractions.
Bhandardara, set at an elevation of 750 meters above sea level, is located on the banks of the Pravara river. The place is endowed with striking view. The area extends a unique chance for nature based tourism. The place can be explored by those who wish to break up from the hustle and bustle of city life. Nature lovers and trekkers would be captivated at Bhandardara as there is a lot to see and do. The area is sprinkled with forts and history.
How to Reach:
Bhandardara is easily accessible by road also from Mumbai which is around 185 km far and Pune which is around 191 km far. Please be careful with the narrow roads while driving on the ghats towards bhandardara.
The nearest airport is in Mumbai, while Igatpuri Railway Station, 45+ km away, has the nearest railhead. One can board a state transport bus from Igatpuri to reach Bhandardara. Regular buses are available from both the cities to reach Bhandardara, or you can also hire a taxi to reach the destination.
Accommodation:
MTDC Resort is available having Deluxe Rooms, Special Room, Standard Room, Lakeside Cottage, Twelve Bedded Group Accommodation & Twenty Bedded Group Accommodation.
Tourist Attractions:
Ratangad Fort
Agasti Rishi Ashram
Amriteshwar Temple
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
Wilson Dam: Built in 1910 across River Pravara, Wilson Dam is situated at a height of 150 m above sea level. It’s one of the oldest dams in the country. The opening of sluice gates creates two 60 to 80 feet cascades of water that plummet to the rocks below. It’s a spectacular view. Tourists can amble in the circular garden located at the base of the dam.
Umbrella falls formed under wilson dam, bhandardara
Arthur Lake: The clear and placid lake is bounded by thick canopied forests of the Sahyadri hills. The Lake gets its water from the Pravara River. The Lake and its surroundings offer an enchanting spectacle.
Randha Falls: Randha Falls is a good waterfall to visit. The roaring River Pravara descends down from a height of 170 ft into a beautiful gorge. However the waterfalls are magnificent only during monsoons and are not so great in other seasons
Ghatghar: Located 22 km from Bhandardara, Ghatghar is a popular viewpoint in the area. It offers a panoramic view of the Sahyadri ranges.
Mount Kalsubai: from Bhandardara Tourist can see the highest peak of the sahyadri range, mount kalsubai. Kalsubai with its height and view is popular for trekking and so are the hills near kalsubai. The trek is physically demanding, as Bhandardara is located on a hill and to reach this place one has to do lots of trekking. Ratnagad : Ratnagad fort was captured by chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj. The fort lies near the Maharashtra tourism resort and has ample of grounds to interest trekkers. The fort commands a good view of the surrounding areas.
Weather:
Bhandaradara experiences hot climate as ell as pleasant climate.
Summers (March to May) in Bhandardara are very hot and dry when temperature gets almost high as 40 °C.
Monsoons (June to September) offer relief from the hot temperature and the humidity levels goes up during this season. Monsoon seasons make the humidity high and sultry due to heavy showers and cold winds. Rainy seasons are quite enjoyable and offers good views of waterfalls.
Winters (December to February) are cooler here with temperature dropping down to 10 °C. Typically the tourists prefer this climate for visit in Bhandardara.
Best season to visit Bhandaradara is just after the monsoons and winters from October to February.
March to June is good for exploring the natural attractions.
In July to September, the scenic umbrella falls are seen only during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
October to February is amazing with pleasant climate and is ideal for sightseeing.
