Bhandardara

Bhandardara
Village
Arthur Lake
Bhandardara Location in Maharashtra, India
Coordinates: 19°31′45″N 73°45′5″E
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Ahmednagar
Government
• Body	Government of Maharashtra
Elevation	740 m (2,430 ft)
Language
• Official	Marathi, Hindi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Telephone code	02424
Vehicle registration	MH-17
Nearest city	Nashik Sangamner
Lok Sabha constituency	Shirdi
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Akole

Bhandardara is a holiday resort village near Igatpuri, in the western ghats of India. The village is located in the Akole tehsil, Ahmednagar district of the state of Maharashtra, about 185 kilometers (115 mi) from Mumbai, 155 kilometers (96 mi) from Ahmednagar and 73 kilometers (45 mi) from Nashik.

Bhandardara sits by the Pravara River, and the natural environment, waterfalls, and mountains are notable tourist attractions.

A village near Bhandardara

Village Folks at Bhandardara

Bhandardara attractions include Wilson Dam and Arthur Lake.

There are a number of historic and natural places of interest near the dam. From Bhandardara, visitors can climb up to see the Ratangad and Harishchandragad forts. Visitors can also follow the trails that lead to Ajoba and Ghanchakkar peaks. The highest peak in Maharashtra, Mount Kalsubai is 1646 m, and the starting point for the trek is Bari Village, located 12 km away from Bhandardara.

Tourist attractions

Bhandardara is home to Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak (5,400 ft or 1,600 m) in Maharashtra.

Another tourist attraction is the Wilson Dam on the Pravara River, which was built in 1910. The Umbrella Falls also draw visitors, although it can be seen only during the monsoons between July and October. About 10 km away from Shendi Village is the Randhaa Waterfalls. The Ratangad fort is around 22 km from Shendi/ Bhandardara, and is connected by both roadway, and ferry across the Lake Arthur. On the Kalsubai side, at the far end of a 22 km roadway across forests and tribal villages, is Konkankada from where there are views of the plains. Harishchandragad is another nearby mountain hiking spot with an ancient temple on top.

water level in rainy season at Wilson Dam

Bhandardara has a number of treking and hiking routes, including a trek to Ratangad fort, which is reached by boat over a small lake near the village Ratanwadi.

Other attractions include:

Amruteshwar Temple, Ratanwadi, Ratangad

• Ratangad (Fort)
• Agasti Rishi Ashram
• Amruteshwar Temple
• Sandhan Valley
• Randha Fall
• Necklace Fall
• Harishandragad (Fort)
• Kokankada (Ghatghar)
• Reverse Fall
• Nhani Fall
• Umbrella Fall
• Fire Flies
• Nilwande Dam

Places of interest

Official name	Wilson Dam
Location	Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra India
Coordinates	19°31′45″N 73°45′5″E
Dam and spillways
Impounds	Pravara River
Reservoir
Creates	Arthur Lake

Wilson Dam: Built in 1910 across the River Pravara, Wilson Dam is situated at a height of 150 m above sea level. The opening of sluice gates creates two 60 to 80 feet cascades of water that plummet to the rocks below.

Umbrella falls formed under wilson dam, bhandardara

Wilson dam backwaters

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.

Transportation

Bhandardara is easily accessible by road also from Mumbai which is around 185 km away and Pune which is around 191 km away.

The nearest airport is in Nashik around 90 km, while Igatpuri Railway Station, 45+ km away, has the nearest railhead. One can board a state transport bus from Igatpuri to reach Bhandardara.

External links

• Bhandardara travel guide from Wikivoyage
• MTDC, Bhandardara
• Bhandardara
• [1]
• Bhandardara City Guide