Bhandardara
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
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.
Location
It is located about 185 kilometers from Mumbai, 155 kilometers from Ahmednagar and 73 kilometers from Nashik. Bhandardara sits by the Pravara River, and the natural environment, waterfalls, mountains, Wilson dam, Arthur lake and Randha falls are tourist attractions.
History
Bhandardara attractions include Wilson Dam and Arthur Lake. There are number of historic and natural places of interest near the dam. From Bhandardara, visitors can climb up to see the Ratangad and Harishchandragad forts. Or visitors can 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 this trek is Bari Village, located 12 km away from Bhandardara. Atop, there is a small temple located at the summit, with views of Sahyadris and Bhandardara. The toughest trio-forts in Sahyadri namely Alang Fort, Madangad fort and Kulang gad (also called A-M-K) located on the southern side. A very narrow Sandhan valley is on the Western side of the dam.
Places of interest
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.
Bhandardara has a number of trekking and hiking routes, including a trek to Ratangad fort, which is reached by boat over a small lake near the village Ratanwadi. Ratangad is a fortress situated at the edge of ghats with a number of water cisterns and caves. It also commands views all around and is said to be the favourite fort of the Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Attractions
- 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
भंडारदरा
भंडारदरा भारत के महाराष्ट्र राज्य के अहमदनगर ज़िले में स्थित एक गाँव है। यह पश्चिमी घाट में स्थित एक पर्यटक स्थल है और प्रवरा नदी के किनारे बसा हुआ है।[1][2]