Bhandardara Dam was built on the river Pravara during the British rule in the Western Ghats region of India. It is one of the natural beauties in the Sahyadri range in Akole taluka of Ahmednagar district.

Districts / Regions

Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India.

Unique features / uniqueness

Bhandardara Dam, also known as Wilson Dam, was established on the Pravara River and was inaugurated in 1926. It is about 150 meters above the ground. The reservoir created by this dam is known as Arthur Lake or Bhandardara Lake.

Geography

Bhandardara Dam is located on the river Pravara in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra. It is also a popular hill station in the Western Ghats region. The dam is located south of Nashik, northeast of Mumbai and southeast of Kalsubai mountain.

Weather / Climate

The average annual temperature in the region is 24.1 degrees Celsius.

Winters are severe in this region and the temperature drops to 12 degrees Celsius.

The sun is very hot in summer. The region receives more rainfall in summer than in winter. In summer, the temperature rises above 30 degrees Celsius.

The average annual rainfall is about 1134 mm.

Things to do

Nature's gift of natural beauty, greenery, fragrant climate has been given to the treasurer. It is a popular destination for tourists traveling from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik. You can visit popular tourist attractions like Arthur Lake and Wilson Dam. Boating can be done on the lakes. There are two waterfalls in the area, Randha Falls and Wilson Falls, also known as Umbrella Falls, near the dam wall. Umbrella Falls is a popular tourist attraction during the rainy season.
There is a park next to the Umbrella Dam, which serves as a beautiful picnic spot. Firefly Festival: This place offers another natural wonder where at the end of May the presence of incomparable fires makes the trees shine.

Nearby tourist destinations

• Randha Falls: At a distance of 11 km from the dam, there is a beautiful waterfall known as Randha Falls on the river Pravara. The height is approximately 170 feet, during the rainy season the waterfalls become completely rough in the ghats.
• Kalsubai Peak: The highest peak in Maharashtra is 11 km northwest of Bhandardara Dam. Although trekking is difficult, it is advisable to take experienced trekkers and local guides from nearby villages.
•  Ratangad Fort: There is a beautiful fort at a distance of 16.5 km near Ratanwadi village. The fort is believed to be 2000 years old. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj accepted it in Swarajya during his reign. It has a famous temple of Shiva known as Amruteshwar.
• Alang Fort: Located at a distance of 28.5 km northwest of Bhandardara Dam, this place is also popular among trekkers. It is a rugged trek in the region known as Alang, Madan and Kulang in the Kalsubai range of Sahyadri. The trekking level is difficult due to the geographical features as well as dense forest and torrential rains.
• ● Igatpuri: Igatpuri is at a distance of 41.5 km from Bhandardara dam. This place is famous among tourists for its natural beauty. There are many beautiful places around it. It serves as a popular hill station on the Mumbai-Agra route.

Specialty food and hotel

Maharashtrian cuisine is the specialty of this place. Carnivorous foods, especially fish, are popular near the dam area.

Accommodation nearby and hotel / hospital / post office / police station

Maharashtrian cuisine is the specialty of this place. Carnivorous foods, especially fish, are popular near the dam area.

Visiting rules and times, the best month to visit

The best time to visit Bhandardara is in the rainy season. During the rainy season, the waterfalls and the surrounding area bloom.
Summer is harsh; Due to the dried up dam, it was dull from February to May. The end of summer is the perfect time to celebrate the Firefly.

Language spoken in the area

English, Hindi and Marathi.