Weekend / Monsoon 

Picture this – a resort overlooking a picture perfect turquoise-blue lake, waterfalls where water gushes down 170 ft , a boat drive to an unique fort and Maharashtra’s tallest peak for company. If all this sounds exciting then you need to visit Bhandardara this monsoon.

Accommodation: Best option at Bhandardara is the MTDC Resort, Bhandardara.(Phone:02424 257032) Book directly at the MTDC site . A more expensive option is the Anandvan Resorts

Reaching Bhandardara:

By car from Mumbai (170 Kms) : Drive down to Igatpuri on the Nashik highway and proceed straight to a village called Ghoti.  At Ghoti, turn right and proceed on the local road to reach Bhandardara. The drive experience from Ghoti to Bandardara during monsoons in itself is worth the trip as you get to admire different hues of green.

By Train : Alight at Igatpuri and hire a Jeep (Rs.300 - Rs.500). Also, there are ST buses from Igatpuri that ply to Bhandardara.

To See and Do at Bhandardara: 
Pride of Bhandardara is the Bhandardara lake, that was formed when the Wilson dam was built on Parvara River. The lake sits in midst of dense greenery and offers picture perfect scenery with hills encircling the lake. MTDC resort at Bhandardara overlooks the lake and you can spend hours just gazing at the lake in the cool comforts of the patio. At MTDC, Bhandardara quality of food leaves a lot to be desired. That said, the unbeatable location of the MTDC resort makes up for all the short comings.

Bhandardara Lake

Sunset at Bhandardara is a magical. As the sun disappears behind the mountains, it creates an illusion of sparkling diamond and is a sight to behold. The most ideal place to watch the sunset would be Konkan Kada which is a bit away from the village of Bhandardara but the drive is definitely worth it.

Randha falls near Bhandardara is enchanting during monsoons. The water from the dam overflows into a deep gorge creating a spectacular sight. Not surprisingly, Randha falls have served as the backdrop for song and dance sequences in a number of silver screen blockbusters.

Treks:
For those who seek a bit of action, Bhandardara provides plenty of opportunity for small treks and hikes. The most interesting is the small trek to Ratangad fort. To reach Ratangad fort,  take the boat over the small lake near the village Ratanwadi (there is also a motorable road in case the boats do not operate). Ratanwadi is at the foothills of Ratangad. You can visit an ancient Shiva temple at Ratanwadi.

Even those who do not plan to trek to Ratangad fort can visit Ratanwadi for the scenic boat drive.That said, the climb to Ratangad is recommended as it is not very tiring. There is a small iron ladder that takes you almost to the top. Ratangad is an interesting fortress, situated at the edge of ghats with numerous water cisterns and caves. It also commands an excellent view all around and is said to be the favorite fort of Chatrapati Shivaji

Randha Falls, Bhandardara

More adventurous ones can plan a trek to Kalsubai Mountain. There is certain amount of thrill in climbing Maharashtra’s tallest peak. It is an interesting climb that can be accomplished in three to four hours. It is extremely enjoyable in the early part of the monsoon or at the fag end of the monsoons. During peak monsoon, it becomes a bit dangerous and slippery. To climb Mt. Kalsubai, reach a nearby village called Bari and hire a local villager as a guide Rs. 100 or less.

Accommodation: Best option at Bhandardara is the MTDC resort, Bhandardara. Book directly at the MTDC site . A more expensive option is the Anandvan Resorts

In the summer months, Bhandardara gets back to being just another village waiting for the monsoons to come again so that it can transform itself like a Cinderella. In the monsoons, trip to Bhandardara is highly recommended both as a weekend getaway and also as the base for treks to nearby hills and mountains 

Contribution by D. Rajesh Kumar

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