To See & Do
There are jeeps available at the village square in Shendi, just 3 km away, to take you on a tour of the predetermined points of interest around Bhandardara, but this often ends up being just a long drive and not worth the money. Instead, set your own itinerary and take the hired jeep only to places of your choice, or just hop on and off the many jeeps that ferry locals from one village to another. The last option is cheap and you get a taste of how the residents commute. Some ferries ply on the lake but these are irregular. Check with the officials at the dam for details.
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Bhandardara Lake |
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Also called Lake Arthur Hill, the lake was created when Wilson Dam was built across the Pravara River. The dam, one of the country?s oldest and at a height of 492 ft, was constructed by the British to provide irrigation to the Ahmednagar region. The design and structure of the dam are interesting and unusual. When the sluice gates open, they create two huge 60-to-80-ft cascades of water that gush down the rocks below, creating a spectacular sight. At the base of the dam is a large garden that is a popular picnic haunt. The water released from the dam creates many tiny rivulets, which are channelled all around the park before converging at the main stream and rushing downwards.
Unfortunately, the park is now in a state of neglect with litter, paper and plastic scattered all over the place. The security personnel hanging around don?t seem bothered by the pollution or inspired to do their jobs to prevent it. They are mostly only looking out for an opportunity to extract money from you in case you attempt to take photographs. Still, the garden is worth a visit and a walkabout. It is home to many species of birds and is also the nesting place of hundreds of flying fox, or bats. These hang from the trees around and occasionally screech and fight for a favoured post. You can walk past the water gushing out of one of the sluice gates (on your right if you are facing the dam) and emerge near the top of the dam (there?s no access onto the dam though). A marble plaque up here provides some details about the dam?s construction.
Warning: No one is allowed onto the dam and no photography is allowed within the park or near the dam.
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Randha Falls |
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About 10 km down river, the tranquility is shattered by the roar of the Randha Falls. The Pravara River plunges 170 ft down into a gorge, creating a breathtaking sight and the third largest falls in India. There is a temple on the banks of the river and lately there?s been a mushrooming of several cold drinks and tea stalls. A lookout point just above the falls provides a great view and photo-op.
On the cliffs behind are about a dozen huge beehives. While interesting to watch, do not go near them if you?re smoking or wearing strong cologne, as strong smells may get them agitated and you in the first-aid clinic. For the more energetic, a footpath (steep in places) leads down to the pools below. Be very careful, however, as the currents in the pools can be strong and swift.
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Umbrella Falls |
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These picturesque falls in the vicinity should be on your itinerary only if you?re here during or post-monsoon. The other claim to fame of these falls is that they formed the backdrop to some of the scenes in the Hindi film Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka.
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Agasti Rishi Ashram |
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Situated on the banks of Pravara River, this ashram is a popular tourist draw. This spot is mentioned in the Ramayana as the home of Agasti Rishi, visited by Ram, Sita and Lakshman during their travels. The sage is said to have given Ram the magical arrow with which Ravana was killed.
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Angling |
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Set yourself up on the shores of the lake. There are large fish in there and if you have a good combination of patience and luck, they will bite. Have a go at casting or spoon fishing. No boating or using dinghies on the lake, though. Permits are a bit of a grey area, but casting a line along the river and the lake has been done without any questions being raised about permits. The pools at the bottom of the falls are a good point to go fly fishing or casting, if you are so inclined. You can also fish along the Pravara, where you will see the occasional villager with his bamboo fishing line. The dam itself is out of bounds, so no fishing there.
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Nature walks |
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Walk along the shores of the lake just beyond the MTDC Resort. It?s best just after the monsoons when the views are stunning and everything is lush green with a lonely cloud sailing across the blue sky.
You can also take interesting walks along either bank of the Pravara. You?ll catch sight of a variety of avian life during your perambulations. The river has plenty of fish as well as the jumbo freshwater shrimp which come down the sluice gates when the water is released. If it?s a good day, you may also spot the rare red fox that greatly resembles a dog.
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Trekking options |
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There are unlimited trekking options here, ranging from a simple climb up a nearby hillock to a tough climb up Ratangad Fort or Mt Kalsubai. The Ghanchakkar (or ?confused?) peak nearby is a complex hike, involving equipment for rock climbing. Ajoba is another interesting but difficult climb, with fantastic views from the top.
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Content Source:
Outlook Traveller
Contributed by:
Andre Morris
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