Tuesday 14 June 2011

Bhandardara Backwaters


The term Backwater is commonly used to refer to a large body of water (such as that of a river) that is held back by some obstruction, or stopped in its flow by an opposing stream.

In the case of Bhandardara, many people refer to the water that is held back by the Wilson dam as the backwaters of Bhandardara.

This Bhandardara backwater forms the beautiful Arthur lake whose calm and placid waters are an excellent activities such as boating and fishing.

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Bhandardara budget hotel


If you are looking out for budget hotels in Bhandardara, then probably the best option would be to check if rooms are available at the MTDC hotel in Bhandardara.

The MTDC hotel/resort has reasonable rates, and also is at one of the best locations as it directly faces the beautiful Arthur lake. The hotel is at the most strategic and vantage location in Bhandardara.

Also the hotel offers, different types of accomodation such as Standard rooms, Special Rooms, Deluxe rooms, Cottages, and also group accomodation in the form of 12-bedded and 20-bedded rooms which is quite economical and can suit the budget of most people visiting here.

The tariff rates at MTDC hotel are in the range of Rs.800 for standard double room to Rs. 3500 for cottage accomodation. Please note that these rates are based on information available on the web and can change over time. Hence it is best to check the exact rates with the hotel, prior to booking your stay.

It is advisable to book MTDC hotel rooms well in advance, especially if you are going to stay at Bhandardara during the weekends. Bhandardara is fast becoming popular as the best weekend holiday destination for city people who want to get away from the cities and closer to nature.

The MTDC resort is probably one of the best Bhandardara budget hotel that offers the most exotic views of Bhandardara.
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Bhandardara Best time to visit


The best time to visit Bhandardara is during the monsoon season, or just after the monsoon season is over. The main tourist attractions of Bhandardara are the Arthur lake, and the Wilson dam that is built on the Pravara river and its umbrella waterfalls, and the Randha waterfalls.

One of the best experiences that you can have at Bhandardara is boating in the lake, and the lake is full of water just after the monsoons. Also the sluice gates of the Wilson dam are opened during the rainy season to allow water to gush out from the dam. This gushing water results in the umbrella waterfalls, and can be seen in the monsoon season.

Hence the best season at Bhandardara and the best time to visit Bhandardara is the monsoon season. The lush green hills and valleys, and the waterfalls, the lake are at their best during monsoons.

However, in case you wish to go for trekking from Bhandardara to the nearby forts such as Ratangad and Harischandragad, or to the highest mountain peak in Maharashtra, the Kalsubai peak, then the rocks and trail can be slippery because of the rains, and hence trekking can be done better during dry seasons.

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Monday 13 June 2011

Aurangabad to Bhandardara


Aurangabad to Bhandardara distance is 167 kms.

Bhandardara hill station is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in India. The nearest railway station to Bhandardara is the Igatpuri railway station which is at a distance about 45kms by road.

Travelling from Aurangabad to Bhandardara:

From Aurangabad you can travel by train, and reach the Igatpuri railway station. The Igatpuri railway station and State Transport bus-stand are located quite close by. From the bus-stand there are regular buses to from Igatpuri to Bhandardara. The bus curves up the hills to Bhandardara and this bus journey takes about 1 and half hours.

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Bhandardara Attractions


Bhandardara Attractions / Places of Interest/ Places to Visit/ Things to Do

Some of the must see attractions at Bhandaradara are listed below:

Kalsubai Peak near Bhandardara:

The Bhandardara Hill station is situated at a height of 750m above sea level. In comparison, Lonavala-Khandala is at 622m, Matheran at 800m, and Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani at about 1334 m. So Panchgani hills are not located at very high altitude.

However very close to Bhandardara is the Kalsubai Peak (called Kalsubai Shikhar) which is at a height of 1646 m above sea level. The Kalsubai Peak is the tallest mountain peak in the state of Maharashtra in India, and attracts a lot of trekkers from all over the state, who want to scale this highest summit.

From Bhandardara you can go for trekking and climb up the Kalsubai peak. The trek trail starts from Bari village, which is just 12kms away from Bhandardara. The Mount Kalsubai also has a very ancient temple that you can visit.

Also from Bhandardara you can go for trekking and a climb upto the Ajoba peak and the Ghanchakkar peak located in the vicinity.


Agasti Rishi Ashram at Bhandardara:

It is said that in ancient times, the sage Agasti Rishi lived at the Ashram that is located close by on the banks of the Pravara river. It is also said that Lord Shri. Rama came to meet Agasti Rishi here, and the Rishi then gifted him a special arrow which Rama used to kill the demon king Ravana in the war.

On your visit to the Agasti ashram at Bhandardara, you can also explore the small cave that is located in its vicinity. It is said that Lord Shri Rama alongwith his brother Laxman stayed in this small cave for a short while.


The Wilson Dam / Bhandardara Dam:

The Wilson Dam also simply called the 'Bhandardara Dam' is the oldest dam in India, and also one of the oldest dams in Asia. It was built in the year 1910, and it blocks the waters of the Pravara river.

When the sluice gates of Bhandardara dam are opened during the rainy season, the water gushes out with full force, and it falls on the rocks below thus creating an artificial waterfall, which is known as the Umbrella waterfall of Bhandardara.
The Wilson Dam (Bhandardara Dam) is one of the most famous tourist attractions at Bhandardara.


Arthur Lake / Bhandardara Lake:

Perhaps the best tourist attraction of Bhandardara is the Arthur Lake that is formed by the Bhandaradara dam which is built across the Pravara river. The lake is very huge, beautiful and scenic and has calm and placid waters. One of the best things to do at Bhandardara is to go for boating and fishing in this lake.


The Randha Waterfalls (Randha Falls) at Bhandardara:

The Randha falls located just 11 kms from Bhandardara are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the rainy season. Water falls from a height of 45m at the Randha falls. Hydroelectric power is also generated at this place.
The Randha falls is the 3rd largest waterfall in India.


The Ratangad Fort & Harishchandragad Fort near Bhandardara:

From Bhandardara you can trek over to Ratangad and Harishchandragad forts that are located close by.

The 400-year old Ratangad fort was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and it is said that it was one of his favorite forts. At the base of the Ratangad fort, is the village Ratanwadi where you can also visit the 1000-year old Amruteshwar temple (Shiva temple) which has beautiful sculptures and attractive ancient architecture. To visit this place you can walk over to Murshet village, and from there take a ferry boat to cross the lake and reach Ratanwadi.

Best time to visit Bhandardara:
The best time to visit Bhandardara is during the monsoon season, or just after the monsoon season, so that you can get to see the Umbrella waterfalls, and the Randha waterfalls in their full glory. Also the lush greenery and the cool climate makes the place all the more beautiful in the monsoons.

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Bhandardara Hotels


Bhandardara, located in Ahmednagar is not yet become so very commercial, and hence does not have too many hotels yet. However there are some good hotels/resorts at Bhandardara, such as the Hotel MTDC holiday resort, the Hotel Anandvan Resort and the Hotel Yash Resort.

Bhandardara Hotels/ Resorts List:

List of the hotels/resorts available at Bhandardara is given below. You can click the title containing the name of each of the resort/hotel mentioned, to get further details about these hotels.

MTDC Bhandardara Hotel/Resort:

The MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) runs the MTDC Holiday Resort /Hotel, at Bhandardara.

This hotel is located at probably the best location in Bhandardara and faces the beautiful Arthur lake of Bhandardara. The MTDC hotel/resort offers standard, deluxe, special rooms, cottages and 12 and 20-bedded group accomodation. The hotel rates are also quite affordable and the facilities are also in accordance with the standards of MTDC hotels and resorts elsewhere in Maharashtra.
Pls. click on the title link to get more information about the MTDC Bhandardara hotel/resort.

Hotel Anandvan Resort Bhandardara:

The Anandvan Bhandardara Resort offers cottages, garden villas, and luxury suites to visiting guests. The rooms of this resort offer excellent view of the lake or the hillside. Cottages offering a lake view have a slight higher cost than those with hill view.
The resort provides excellent facilities for stay. Also they arrange for activities such as boating and fishing etc. Also the resort provides backpack tents on request.
Pls. click on the title link above, to get more information about Hotel Anandvan resort at Bhandardara.

Hotel Yash Resort Bhandardara:

The Yash Bhandardara Resort/Hotel has 25 rooms that are spread over the spcacious 3.5 acres of resort land. All the rooms are fitted with modern amenities and have a balconies that provide beautiful views of Bhandardara.

The resort/hotel offers several types of rooms such as Regular, Deluxe, Suites, Cottages etc. Also the resort has plenty of facilities such as swimming pool, indoor and outdoor games etc. You can also hire bicycles from this resort to roam around at Bhandardara.
Pls. click the title link above, to get more information about the Hotel Yash Resort at Bhandardara.

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If by any chance, all the Bhandardara Hotels/ Resorts are full and no rooms are available at Bhandardara, then the second best option is to get hotel rooms at Igatpuri, which is located just 45 kms away from Bhandardara.

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Bhandardara Resort


Bhandardara hill station is not yet very commercialized, and hence does not have a plethora of staying options. However there are some good resorts at Bhandardara, such as the State run MTDC holiday resort, the Hotel Anandvan Resort and the Hotel Yash Resort at Bhandardara.

List of Bhandardara Resorts / Hotels:

Given below is a short description about the Bhandardara resorts/hotels. You can click the title containing the name of each resort/hotel to check further details about these resorts.

MTDC Holiday Resort Bhandardara:

The MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) runs the MTDC Holiday Resort at Bhandardara.

This resort is located at the most strategic and vantage location in Bhandardara and directly faces the beautiful Arthur lake, which is probably the best tourist attraction in Bhandardara. The resort offers standard, deluxe, special rooms, cottages and 12 and 20-bedded group accomodation. The rates are also quite affordable and the facilities are also in accordance with the standards of MTDC resorts elsewhere.
You can click on the title link to read more details about MTDC Bhandardara resort/hotel.

Anandvan Resort Bhandardara:

The Anandvan Bhandardara Resort offers cottages, garden villas, and luxury suites to visiting guests. The rooms of this resort offer excellent view of the lake or the hillside. Cottages offering a lake view have a slight higher cost than those with hill view.
The resort provides excellent facilities for stay. Also they arrange for activities such as boating and fishing etc. Also the resort provides backpack tents on request.
You can click the title link above, to read more details about Anandvan resort at Bhandardara.

Yash Resort Bhandardara:

The Yash Bhandardara Resort has 25 rooms spread over the 3.5 acres of resort land. All the rooms are fitted with modern amenities and have a balcony that gives a magnificent view of the beauty of Bhandardara.

The resort offers several types of rooms such as Regular, Deluxe, Suites, Cottages etc. Also the resort has plenty of facilities such as swimming pool, indoor and outdoor games etc. You can also hire bicycles from this resort to roam around at Bhandardara.
You can click the title link above, to read more details about the Yash Resort at Bhandardara.

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If by any chance, all the Bhandardara Resorts are full and rooms are not available at Bhandardara, then the other nearest option is to book hotel or resort rooms at Igatpuri, which is located just 45 kms away from Bhandardara.

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Bhandardara Ratangad Fort


On your holiday trip to Bhandardara, you can also trek over to the historic Ratangad fort located in its vicinity. The fort is around 400 years old, and was won by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and people say that it was his favorite fort.

How to go from Bhandardara to Ratangad fort:

The Ratangad fort is at a distance of around 22 kms from Bhandardara. To go over there you can first walk over from Shendi village (Bhandardara) to Murshet village. From here you can get a ferry to cross the waters of the lake. After crossing the lake, you will reach Ratanwadi village which is located at the base of the Ratangad fort.

1000-year old Amruteshwar temple at Ratanwadi village:

Located in Ratanwadi village, is the ancient Amruteshwar temple (Shiva temple) which is considered to be over 1000 years old belonging to the Hemadpanthi era. The temple has excellent architecture and sculpting.

Attractions at the Ratangad Fort:

From Ratanwadi, you can start the upward climb to reach the top of the Ratangad fort. The climb is relatively simple, and on reaching the fort you can go through the magnificent 'Trymbak Darwaja' - the door/entrance of the fort.

The other attractions at the Ratangad fort near Bhandardara, include a rocky peak that has a natural orifice (hole) in it, (probably because of the constant wind beating the rock). This hole in the rock is called 'Nedhe' in local language, meaning the 'Eye of the needle'.

There are also 2 caves on the Ratangad fort, one of the caves is smaller and can accomodate 8-10 people, while the other cave is larger and can accomodate 40-50 people. Water is available in a water tank at the top of the mountain.

Other Trekking options near Bhandardara:

The other fort that is in close vicinity of Bhandardara is the Harischandragad fort, where it is possible to go for a trek.

Also another excellent option for trekking near Bhandardara is to scale the Mount Kalsubai peak, which is the highest mountain peak in Maharashtra, that stands at a height of 1646 m above the sea level.

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Bhandardara Amruteshwar temple


From Bhandardara it is possible to trek over the historic 400-year old Ratangad fort that is located in it's vicinity. The village at the base of the fort is called 'Ratanwadi'.

In this village of Ratanwadi, their is an ancient temple, known as the Amruteshwar temple. This Shiva temple is around 1000 years old, and is an excellent example of ancient architecture and ancient carved sculptures.

How to reach Amruteshwar temple and Ratangad fort - from Bhandardara:

From Bhandardara (Shendi village), you can walk over to Murshet village from where you can get a ferry to cross the lake. After crossing the lake, you will reach Ratanwadi which is the village at the base of the Ratangad fort. The Amruteshwar temple is located at Ratanwadi.

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Accomodation in Bhandardara


Accomodation in Bhandardara is available in the form hotel rooms & cottages offered by the State run MTDC resort and the private resorts.

The MTDC holiday resort at Bhandardara offers a splendid view of the Arthur lake and the resort meets the accomodation needs of the visiting guests by providing various types of rooms, classified as Standard, Special, Deluxe, Cottages and 12-bedded and 20-bedded rooms that can accomodate large groups who have come here for a holiday.

Amongst the private resorts that provide accomodation in the forms of rooms, villas, and cottages at Bhandardara are the Anandvan Resort, and the Yash Resort.

Bhandardara is fast gaining popularity as a weekend holiday destination, and hence if you need accomodation in the weekends at any of these resorts, especially in the monsoon season, then it is wiser to book the rooms well in advance.

Just in case, the resorts in Bhandardara are full, then accomodation can be sought at Igatpuri which is located at a distance of about 45 kms from Bhandardara. Regular state transport buses from Igatpuri to Bhandardara are available.

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Bhandardara


This article gives basic information about the Bhandardara hill station. You can browse through the archives of this blog for more details.

Where is Bhandardara located?

The Bhandardara Hill station is located in Sahyadri mountain ranges in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, in India. The nearest railway station to Bhandardara is the Igatpuri railway station which is about 45 kms away, and the nearest domestic airport is the Nasik airport.

Mumbai to Bhandardara distance is around 185 kms.
Distance from Pune is 191 kms.
Distance from Nasik is 70 kms.
Shirdi is just about 78 kms away.

How to reach Bhandardara:

Travelling from Mumbai to Bhandardara:
From Mumbai you can take the Mumbai-Nasik road, and just few kms. after Igatpuri turn right and drive through Ghoti village to the Bhandardara road which takes you right upto the Bhandardara hill station.
Or you can reach Igatpuri, by buses plying on the Mumbai-Nasik route, or by train, and from Igatpuri you can get State Transport (ST) buses as well as private cabs to go further upto Bhandardara.

Travelling from Pune to Bhandardara:
From Pune you can go to Sangamner, then turn left and go via Akola to Bhandardara. Also the other option is to reach Igatpuri first by bus or train, and then from Igatpuri go onwards to Bhandardara by ST bus or hiring a private taxi.

Bhandardara Legends:

Legend about the origin of Pravara river in Bhandardara
It is said that in ancient times, sage Agasti Rishi meditated at this place, which we now call Bhandardara hill station, and so intense was his meditation that he stayed here for a full year meditating and living only on water and air.
Pleased with his intense devotion, the Lord appeared at this location of Bhandardara, and blessed Agasti Rishi with a stream of the Ganga river, which is now known as the 'Pravara river'.

Legend about Ramayana (Lord Rama meets Agasti Rishi):
It is said that sage Agasti Rishi lived at the Ashram located close by on the banks of the Pravara river. (You can visit on your Bhandardara trip), and it is also said that Lord Shri. Rama came to this ashram to meet Agasti Rishi, who then gifted him the special arrow that he used in the war to kill the demon king Ravana.

(While you are visiting the Agasti ashram at Bhandardara, also explore the small little cave located in its vicinity. It is believed that Lord Shri Rama and his brother Laxman stayed in this cave for a short duration)

Bhandardara Attractions / Places of Interest / Places to Visit

Bhandardara is a beautiful hill station, heaven on earth, that has not yet been much commercialized. The hill station offers exotic views of the hills and valleys, and the Bhandardara dam and lake. There are several tourist attractions in the close vicinity which are also a must see.

Kalsubai Peak:
Bhandardara Hill station is located at an altitude of 750m above sea level, which is not too high, when compared with other hill stations in Maharashtra such as Lonavala-Khandala at 622m, or Matheran at 800m, or Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani at about 1334 m.

However very close to Bhandardara is the Kalsubai Peak (called Kalsubai Shikhar) which is at a height of 1646 m above sea level. The Kalsubai Peak is the highest mountain peak in the state of Maharashtra in India. From Bhandardara it is possible to go for trekking and climb up the Kalsubai peak. The trek trail starts from Bari village, which is just about 12kms from Bhandardara. Mount Kalsubai also has a very old temple that you can visit.
Also from Bhandardara you can go for trekking and a climb upto the Ajoba peak and the Ghanchakkar peak located in the vicinity.

Wilson Dam / Bhandardara Dam:
The Wilson Dam also simply called the Bhandardara Dam is one of the oldest dams in Asia. It was built in the year 1910, and blocks the waters of the Pravara river. When the sluice gates of this dam are opened in the monsoon season, water gushes out and falls on the rocks below, creating an artificial waterfall which is known as the Umbrella waterfall.

Arthur Lake:
The Arthur Lake formed by the Bhandaradara dam built across the Pravara river, is a very beautiful, scenic and huge lake that has calm and placid waters. It is possible to go for boating and fishing in this lake. The lake is undoubtedly one of the best attractions of Bhandardara.

Randha Waterfalls (Randha Falls):
The Randha falls is a natural waterfall located about 11 kms away from Bhandardara, and one of the popular tourist attractions in the rainy season. Water falls from a height of 45m at this waterfall. Hydroelectric power is also generated at this place. The Randha falls is the 3rd largest waterfall in India.

Ratangad Fort & Harishchandragad Fort near Bhandardara:
From Bhandardara you can go for trekking to the Ratangad and the Harishchandragad forts located in the vicinity. The Ratangad fort was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and it is said that it was one of his favorite forts.

Best time to visit Bhandardara:

The best time to visit Bhandardara is in the monsoon season, or just after the monsoons are over. The Randha waterfalls, and the Wilson dam and umbrella waterfalls can be experienced in their full glory in the rainy season. Also the place adorns spectacular greenery making the hills & valleys look all the more beautiful in the monsoon season.

Even if its not the monsoons, Bhandardara is still a great place for a nice weekend break away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The serene and tranquil beauty of Bhandardara leaves a person spellbound, and wanting for more.

Bhandardara Hotels and Resorts:

Though Bhandardara is not yet very commercialized, it still has some good resorts and hotels, such as the MTDC holiday resort that offers some of the best views of the Arthur lake. Also available is the Anandvan Resort and the Yash Resort. However, if the resorts in Bhandardara are full and rooms are not available over there, then staying at hotels in Igatpuri are the next best choice.

Bhandardara is fast gaining popularity as a holiday destination, and a large number of tourists now flock to the place in the monsoon season, especially on weekends. Hence it is better to book resort rooms well in advance.

To make a long story short, Bhandardara, is Heaven on earth.

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MTDC Bhandardara Resort


The MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) runs the MTDC Holiday Resort at Bhandardara. The resort is located at a very ideal and scenic location, and the rooms here offer some of the best views of the clear calm waters of the Arthur lake.

Accomodation and Rooms at MTDC Bhandardara Resort:

The rooms at the MTDC Resort at Bhandardara offer magnificent views of the beautiful Arthur Lake and the Wilson Dam. The Resort has 10 Deluxe rooms, 9 Special rooms, 8 Standard rooms, 9 Lakeside cottages, and one 12-bedded and one 20-bedded group accommodation.

MTDC Bhandardara resort Tariff Rates:

The Tariff Rates are in the range of Rs. 800 for standard double room, to Rs.3500 for Lake-side cottages, which is much more affordable than the private resorts.
Please note that these rates specified based on information available on MTDC site, and are only to give a rough indication of the tariff at this resort. The actual tariff rates can vary over time, and hence it is better to check the exact rates with the resort, prior to booking your stay.


MTDC Bhandardara Resort Contact details/ Address/ Location:

Post Shendi
District Ahmednagar
Maharashtra - 422601
India

MTDC Bhandardara Resort reviews: Review this resort/hotel:

Dear Reader, if you have stayed at the MTDC Bhandardara resort earlier, you can help others by sharing your feedback by writing a short review in the comments section below. Your review can help others know more about the Resort/Hotel and help them decide on where to stay on their Bhandardara holiday trip.
Thanks in advance.

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Yash Resort Bhandardara


Yash Resort Bhandardara is a well known resort at Bhandardara hill station that offers modern and comfortable accomodation facilities, amidst the natural beauty of Bhandardara. It has 25 rooms spread over 3.5 acres of its resort land.

Accomodation and Rooms at Yash Resort Bhandardara:

Yash Resort Bhandardara offers rooms with modern amenities such as Cable TV, Telephone with Intercom facility, 24 hrs hot and cold water etc.
All the rooms have a spacious balcony offering magnificent view of the beauty of Bhandardara

The various types of rooms offered at the Yash Resort Bhandardara, are categorized as Regular, Deluxe, Deluxe Premium, Suite, Suite Premium, and Cottages (having 2 bedrooms and 1 living room).

Yash Resort Bhandardara Tariff Rates:

The Tariff Rates at Yash Resort Bhandardara range from Rs.4000 per day, for the regular rooms that can accomodate 2 people to Rs. 12000 for the cottages (4 people).

These tariff rates mentioned are based on information available on the internet, and are meant only to provide a rough indication of the rates at this resort. (Please note that these rates may not be accurate and/or can vary over time, and hence it is better to check the exact rates and facilities with the resort prior to booking your stay).

Facilities at Yash Resort Bhandardara:

Landscaped garden,
Swimming Pool,
Children's Play area,
Indoor games such as Chess, Table tennis, Carrom and Darts,
Outdoor games such as Net Cricket, Volleyball, Basketball etc.
Discotheque,
Bicycles are available on hire.

Food at Yash Resort Bhandardara:

The Yash Resort Bhandardara has its own restaurent where you can eat.

Yash Resort Bhandardara Contact Details/ Address/ Location.

Yash Resort,
Bhandardara, Shendi Village,
Taluka: Akole,
District: Ahmednagar,
Maharashtra, INDIA.
Pin Code - 414601

Bhandardara is located in the Sahyadri mountain ranges of Maharashtra, India, and is home to the tallest mountain peak of Maharashtra, the Kalsubai peak which is located near Bhandardara.
Igatpuri to Bhandardara distance is 45kms.
Nasik to Bhandardara distance is approximately 70kms.
Mumbai is 185 kms away, while Pune is 191 kms away from Bhandardara.

Yash Resort Bhandardara Reviews: Review this Resort/Hotel:

Dear Reader, if you have experienced staying at Yash Resort at Bhandardara earlier, then you can help others by sharing your experience by writing a short review in the comments below. Your unbiased review can help fellow travellers to Bhandardara to decide whether this is the place that they want to stay at on their Bhandardara holiday trip. Also if you can mention the month-year when you stayed at Yash Resort, then it will make your review even more relevant.
Thanks in advance.

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Anandvan Resort Bhandardara



Anandvan Resort Bhandardara is a luxury resort located at Bhandardara that offers cottages, garden villas, and suites to visiting guests.

Accomodation and Rooms at Hotel Anandvan Resort Bhandardara:

Anandvan Resort at Bhandardara offers accomodation facilities to house about 50 visiting guests at a time.

Located in the exotic surroundings of Bhandardara, this resort offers cottages, villas with gardens having one, two, or three bedrooms, and luxury suites. All the guest rooms at Anand Van resort, offer breathtaking views of the peaceful Arthur lake, or the Bhandardara hills and valleys. (The cottages offering the Lake view cost slightly higher than the ones that offer a hill view)

The rooms have a private garden having outdoor furniture. Additional facilities include, Children's Pool, A/c in bedrooms, TV, Telephone, Mini-Refrigerator, Electric Tea Kettle, Newspaper service etc.
Anandvan resort is also a pet-friendly resort.

By the way, 'Anand' means happiness, and 'Van' means Forest in the local Marathi language. So Anandvan can be roughly translated as 'Happy Forest' or 'Happiness in the forest'.
Hotel Anandvan Resort Bhandardara Tariff Rates:

For a minimum stay of 2 nights on weekdays, the tariff rates of cottages for 2 people, is around 13900 to 14900. The charges are around Rs. 5000 more on weekends. The 2 bedroom garden villas that can accomodate 4 people have tariff rates of about 27800 on weekdays (+10000 on weekends), and the 3 bedroom garden villas that can accomodate 6 people are charged at 38700 on weekdays (+12000 on weekends).
Please note that these tariff rates mentioned above are based on information available on the internet, and only meant to provide a rough indication of the tariff rates at the resort.
(These rates may not be entirely accurate and/or can vary over time. Hence its better to check the exact rates and facilities with Anandvan Resort prior to booking your stay).

Other facilities at Hotel Anandvan Resort Bhandardara:

Anandvan Resort also has a conference hall for business clients. This A/c conference hall can seat around 50 people, and is fitted with facilities such as LCD projector and screen, DVD player, whiteboard etc.
The resort also offers Ayurvedic massage, and beauty treatments etc.
Backpack Tents are also available at the resort.
Indoor & outdoor games facilities are available.
You can also indulge in outdoor adventure activities such as Trekking, Boating or fishing at the Bhandardara Arthur lake, Camping etc.

Food at Hotel Anandvan Resort Bhandardara:

The dining restaurent at Anandvan Resort is named as 'The Oak' and serves veg. and non-veg. food. The outdoor Barbeque shack in the garden restaurent is named the 'Lake View Grill'. There is also a Bar & Lounge at the resort called the 'Wilson's Den' where you can enjoy your cocktail drinks.

Hotel Anandvan Resort Bhandardara Contact Details/ Location/ Address:

Anandvan Resort,
Ghatghar Road, Village Shendi,
Bhandardara,
Dist. Ahmednagar

Hotel Anandvan Resort Bhandardara Reviews: Review this Hotel/Resort:

Dear Reader, if you have stayed at Anandvan Resort earlier, then you can help fellow travellers to Bhandardara by sharing your experience of the resort, by writing a short review in the comments below. Your review can help visitors travelling to Bhandardara to decide whether this is the kind of resort/hotel where they want to stay at, on their holiday trip to Bhandardara.

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Sunday 12 June 2011

How to reach Bhandardara


The Bhandardara hill station is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in India. It is located about 185 kms away from Mumbai, and about 191 kms from Pune. It is at a distance of about 70kms from Nasik, and just about 45kms away from Igatpuri.

It is possible to reach Bhandardara by road or by train. The nearest railway station is the Igatpuri railway station on the central railway line. Maharashtra State transport (ST) buses are available to go from Igatpuri to Bhandardara.

How to reach Bhandardara from Mumbai by road:

Located at 185 kms from Mumbai, Bhandardara can be reached in about 3 to 4 hours from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan, Thane and other suburban areas of Mumbai, and can be an excellent weekend destination especially in the monsoon season.

To reach Bhandardara from Mumbai, get onto the Mumbai-Nashik highway. Just a few kms. beyond Igatpuri, there is a right turn, that takes you through the narrow road of the Ghoti village. After navigating through this road, you can get to the Bhandardara road, which will curve up the hills, and take you straight upto Bhandardara.

How to reach Bhandardara from Pune by road:

To reach Bhandardara from Pune you can take the Pune-Nasik road, and drive upto Sangamner. Near Sangamner ST stand, you can turn turn left onto a road that takes you via Akola to Bhandardara (Bhandardara is about 50 kms away from Sangamner).

How to reach Bhandardara by Buses/Train:

If you are going to travelling by State Transport buses, then you can first reach Igatpuri either by road or by train, and from Igatpuri ST buses are available to take you to Bhandardara. Igatpuri is the nearest railway station to reach to Bhandardara.

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Bhandardara Dam


The Bhandardara Dam also known as the 'Wilson dam Bhandardara' is one of the oldest dams in India and one of the oldest ones in Asia. The dam was built in 1910 across the Pravara river.

The stone-built dam, is said to have been named after Mr. Wilson, the person who was instrumental in building it. There is a circular garden located at the base of the Bhandardara dam, that is full of greenery, streams of water and huge trees. These trees are home to the harmless fruit bats that hang from its branches.

The Wilson dam at Bhandardara, has a height of about 150m above the water level. In the monsoon season, when the sluice gates of the dam are opened, a huge gush of water  plummets down to the rock below, thus creating artificial waterfalls, which are known as the Umbrella waterfalls of Bhandardara.

About 11 kms away from the Bhandardara dam is another famous natural waterfall of the area known as the Randha falls where you can see water falling down from a height of 45m.

Arthur Lake at Bhandardara

The dammed water of the Pravara river, also forms the beautiful Arthur Lake at Bhandardara, that is well known for its clean, clear and placid waters.

It is said that in ancient times, Agasti Rishi meditated at this place for a year, living only on water and air, and pleased with his devotion, the Lord descended to this place and blessed him with a stream of the Ganga river, which came to be known as the Pravara river.

About Bhandardara:

Bhandardara hill station. situated at an altitude of 750m above sea level, is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in India. It is 70kms away from Nasik, 185 kms from Mumbai, and around 191 kms away from Pune. The nearest railway station is Igatpuri station. State transport buses are available to go from Igatpuri to Bhandardara.

Bhandardara is also home to the tallest mountain peak in Maharashtra, which is the Kalsubai peak (known as Kalsubai Shikar) which is at a height of 1646 m above sea level. It is possible to trek over to Kalsubai from Bhandardara.

Bhandardara hill station is very clean and beautiful, and not very commercialized yet, like some of the other hill stations of Maharashtra, such as Lonavala-Khandala, Matheran, or Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani. There are however some hotels and resorts available to stay here. The State Govt. run MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) hotel is also available here. In case Bhandardara hotels and resorts are full, (as tourists rush here in the monsoon season), hotels can be availed at nearby Igatpuri, which is just about 45 kms away from Bhandardara.

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Bhandardara Altitude


Bhandardara Altitude: 750 m above sea level.

The Bhandardara hill station is situated at an altitude/height/elevation of 750 m, which is not too high, as compared to some of the other popular hill stations in Maharashtra.

(For example Lonavala-Khandala have an altitude of about 622 m from sea level, Matheran has an altitude of about 800 m, Mahabaleshwar has an elevation of 1372m, and Panchgani is at a average height of 1334m).

However very near from Bhandardara, is the tallest mountain peak in Maharashtra, the Kalsubai peak which has a height of 1646 m). It is possible to trek over to Kalsubai peak from Bhandardara.

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Pune to Bhandardara distance


The Pune to Bhandardara distance is about 191 kms. Time taken is about 5 hours or so.

You can travel from Pune to Bhadardara by road or by train. The nearest railway station to Bhandardara is the Igatpuri railway station which is about 45kms away.


Travelling from Pune to Bhandardara by road:

Regular Maharashtra State Transport (ST) buses are available to go from Pune to Bhandardara. You can take a bus to Igatpuri and from Igatpuri ST buses are available that go right upto Bhandardara.

If travelling from Pune to Bhandardara by car/own vehicle, then you can take the Pune-Nasik road, and drive upto Sangamner. Just after Sangamner ST stand, you will find a left turn, that takes you via Akola to Bhandardara (about 50 kms away from Sangamner).

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Mumbai to Bhandardara by road

Travelling from Mumbai to Bhandardara by road is quite simple.
The distance between Mumbai and Bhandardara in about 185 kms, and it is just a 3 to 4 hours drive away from Mumbai.

Travelling from Mumbai to Bhandardara by road - By Car/Own vehicle:

If travelling by road, then from Mumbai you have to get onto the Mumbai-Nashik highway (NH3). Just a few kms beyond Igatpuri, turn right and enter the small town of Ghoti. After manuevouring through the small stretch of narrow and crowded village road of Ghoti, you will reach the Bhandardara road, which will take you right upto Bhandardara, in about an hours time.

On the way from Mumbai to Bhandardara, you can stop for a break and quick veg.food at 'Bhagat Tarachand restaurent' about 80 kms away from Mumbai, and just before you reach Shahapur. Or you can have a short break at Igatpuri where you can grab a bite of food.

Travelling from Mumbai to Bhandardara by road - By State Transport (ST) Buses:

If you are planning to travel from Mumbai to Bhandardara by bus, then you can get Maharashtra State transport buses (ST buses). Mumbai to Nashik buses are available throughout the day, and you can get down at Igatpuri. From Igatpuri bus stand, ST buses are available to take you upto Bhandardara.

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Mumbai to Bhandardara distance


Mumbai to Bhandardara distance is about 185 kms by road.

Travelling from Mumbai to Bhandardara by Car

If you are travelling by car, then you can cover this distance from Mumbai to Bhandardara in about 3 to 4 hours. You can travel from Mumbai to Bhandardara, via Igatpuri, which is at a distance of about 45kms from Bhandardara.

Just a few kms beyond Igatpuri, turn right and enter the town of Ghoti. From Ghoti, in about an hours time, a long narrow mountain road will take you right upto Bhandardara.

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Bhandardara Nearest Railway Station


Bhandardara is located in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in India.

The nearest railway station to Bhandardara is the Igatpuri railway station on Central Railway line, which is located about 45kms away from Bhandardara. The Igatpuri railway station is located on the Mumbai - Nashik railway route.

From the Igatpuri railway station, ST buses (State transport buses) are available to go to Bhandardara, or private taxis are also available.

The nearest airport is the Gandhinagar domestic airport located at Nasik. The nearest international airport is the Mumbai international airport which is about 177 kms away.

Bhandardara hill station is located in the Sahyadri mountain range & very near from Bhandardara is the tallest mountain peak in the entire state of Maharashtra, the Kalsubai peak (which is also called Kalsubai Shikhar in the local language).

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