2 DAY TRIP FROM PUNE | BHANDARDARA - RATANGAD FORT

Hill Station | Adventure / Trekking

Photo Credit: Flickr
This trip demands considerable trekking / walking

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Trip Starting Point: Pune Junction

Mode of Travel: Car (or Cab)

Trip Duration: 2 Days

Ideal Start Time: 6 AM (Day 1) & 8 AM (Day 2)

Total Places Visited: 5

Day 1 Destinations | Day 2 Destinations
Day 1 Attractions | Day 2 Attractions

DAY 1 : RANDHA FALLS - WILSON DAM – UMBRELLA FALLS

Travel from Pune to Bhandardara

Waterfall

Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry

At a distance of 10 km from Bhandardara Bus Stop, 156 km from Pune & 177 km from Mumbai, Randha Falls is a beautiful waterfall located on the Rajur - Bhandardara road in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

The waterfall is formed over Pravara River and cascades down from a height of 170 feet into a beautiful gorge. Considered as one of the prominent waterfalls in India, the jaw-dropping Randha Falls is a must visit place during monsoon and also one of the popular places to visit in Bhandardara. It is the chief source of hydro power in the Bhandardara region. There is a temple on the banks of the river and a viewpoint just above the falls provides a great view of the waterfalls. The rocky sides of the gorge are home to colonies of bees and one can see huge hanging hives under the rocky ledges.

Lake & Backwaters

Duration of visit: 1-2 Hours
Timings: 8 AM to 7 PM
Entry Fee: Rs. 200 per Person for 1 Hour

At a distance of 500 m from Bhandardara Bus Stop, Arthur Lake is formed due to the construction of Wilson Dam and is fed by Pravara River. This lake is also known as Lake Arthur Hill or Bhandardara Lake. It is one of the top places to visit in Bhandardara hill station.

The clear and placid lake is bounded by thick forests of the Sahyadri hills. This lake is around 34 km long and the stream features a wonderful waterfall, named Randha Falls that come down from over 45 m height. This lake also holds religious importance, as Agastya Rishi meditated at this place.

Arthur Lake acts as a reservoir for the Bhandardara Dam or Wilson Dam. The construction work of the dam was started in 1910 AD and was completed in 1926 AD by the British. The dam is one of the oldest dams in India at a height of 492 feet and is famous for the nearby Umbrella Falls. When the gates opened, the outflow creates two huge cascades of water creating a spectacular sight. The dam was inaugurated by Lt. Col. .....

Waterfall

Duration of visit: 30 Mins - 1 Hr
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry

At a distance of 500 m from Bhandardara Bus Stop, Umbrella Falls is a beautiful seasonal waterfalls situated at the Bhandardara Dam in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is one of the top places to visit in Bhandardara and also one of the best waterfalls in Maharashtra.

When the Wilson dam overflows during monsoon, water gushes out from a small opening in its northern end over a semicircular rock, forming the picturesque Umbrella Falls. The water body is also used for hydro­electric power generation. There is a bridge right below the waterfall, tourists can get a full view of the waterfalls standing on the bridge. The waterfalls can be enjoyed only during the monsoon season, when the dam reaches full capacity.

The falls can be easily reached by walk from Bhandardara Bus Station which is around 500 m.

Overnight Stay in Bhandardara

DAY 2 : RATANGAD FORT TREK

Travel from Bhandardara to Ratangad Fort

Historical & Heritage | Pilgrimage

Duration of visit: 1-2 Hours
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry

At a distance of 17 km from Bhandardara, Amruteshwar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple situated on the banks of holy river Pravara at Ratanwadi village in the Igatpuri region of Maharashtra. It is among the popular Bhandardara tourist places and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be over 1,200 year old. This beautiful stone carved temple was built by the rulers of Shilahara dynasty in 9th century AD. This is one of 12 Shiva temples built by King Jhanj. Ratangad Fort is also located at a close distance from this Shiva temple.

The Amruteshwar Temple has been constructed in Hemadpanthi architectural style with beautiful rock carvings on the main shrine. It was built with black and red stones. The ceiling and the walls of the temple are decorated with some impressive and lovely murals. There is a mantapa with 12 pillars. All the pillars have beautifully carved statues and flowers.

The temple is .....

Adventure / Trekking

Duration of visit: Half Day to Full Day
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry

At a distance of 6 km from Ratanwadi, 23 km from Bhandardara, 183 km from Pune & 197 km from Mumbai, Ratangad is an ancient hill fort situated at Ratanwadi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is one of the best forts in Maharashtra and an ideal place for trekking around Mumbai & Pune.

The Ratangad Fort is one of the most popular places to visit in Bhandardara and the place leaves visitors spellbound with its rich heritage. The fort is located at a height of 4250 feet. Ratangad Fort is 400 year old fort, which was used by Maratha warrior Shivaji. The fort was initially ruled by the Mughals and it was conquered by Shivaji Maharaj.

Ratangad has a natural rock peak with a cavity at the top which is called Nedhe or Eye of the Needle. The fort has four gates known as Ganesh, Hanuman, Konkan and Trimbak. There are two caves on the Ratangad Fort, one of the caves is smaller and can accommodate 8-10 people, while the .....

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