Chavdar Tale (pond) is a historical place in Maharashtra with social revolutionary importance from the British era. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar performed the famous Mahad Satyagrah at this pond by drinking water from this pond, which was restricted to the lower caste.

Districts/Region

Raigad district, Maharashtra, India.

History

The Chavdar Tale (pond) is well known in the world for the satyagraha by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on 20th March 1927. The pond measures 100 meters in length, 100 meters in breadth and has a depth of 5.5 meters.

Geography

Mahad is situated at the southernmost tip of the Raigad district in the Konkan region. Mahad is surrounded by Sahyadri mountain. Savitri River originates from the Savitri point in Mahabaleshwar and flows through Mahad enters into the Arabian sea. The city is located at an elevation of 59 ft or 18 m above mean sea level. Mahad offers beneficial climatic conditions for the growth of Alphonso mango and coconut trees.

Weather/Climate

The climate at this place is hot and humid with abundance of rainfall, the Konkan belt experiences High Rainfall which ranges around 2500 mm to 4500 mm. The temperature reaches up to 30 degrees Celsius during this season.
Summers are hot and humid, and the temperature touches 40 degrees Celsius.
Winters have a comparatively milder climate (around 28 degrees Celsius), and the weather remains Cool and Dry.

Things to do

Chavdar Tale satyagraha is a well-known part of history and to celebrate it lakhs of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and tourists visit the place on 20th March every year. 
The place also offers a beautiful multipurpose auditorium near this lake where one can come across various book as well as oil paintings of important historical events.
●    Raigad fort: - Situated 24.4 KM to the north of Chavdar tale, the fort was constructed under the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674. It has served as the capital of swarajya. At this fort, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned.

●     Lingana fort: - Situated at a distance of 32 KM to the west of Chavdar Tale, Lingana fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the year 1648 to secure central Konkan against the siddhis. It’s shape resembles to the Shivalinga, hence it is named as Lingana. It is one of the tallest forts in the surroundings of Raigad and Torna.

 
●    Mandle waterfall: - Mandle waterfall is situated at a distance of 11.5 KM to the north of Chavdar Tale. It offers a serene atmosphere owing to its secluded placement. The place offers fresh and cool air. It is located in the rear of small cliff and offers a picturesque sight. A tiny pond has formed at the base of it, it is too small to take a bath or swim in it. 

●     Alibaug beach: - Situated at a distance of 108 KM to the north west of Chavdar Tale. A very flat stretch makes an ideal place for the long walks. The sand has a hard texture and is a shade of black. It is popularly known as ‘Mini Goa’ due to its resemblance in the culture and water sports activities being provided in Goa. 

●    Akshi Beach: - Situated at a distance of 113 KM to the north west of Chavdar Tale and around 5 KM away from Alibaug. It is a white sand beach with numerous pine trees located along the shorelines. The beach is visited by a large number of tourers to witness variety of birds and different flora and fauna can be seen near it.

●    Jagadishwar temple: - Situated at a distance of 170 KM to the north of Chavdar Tale constructed during the time of the great Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Jagadishwar temple is an important shrine to be visited in Raigad. This temple is a portrayal of Hindu-Muslim unity as one can see the beautiful combination of both the culture in its architecture.

Nearest tourist places

●    Raigad fort: - Situated 24.4 KM to the north of Chavdar tale, the fort was constructed under the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674. It has served as the capital of swarajya. At this fort, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned.

●     Lingana fort: - Situated at a distance of 32 KM to the west of Chavdar Tale, Lingana fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the year 1648 to secure central Konkan against the siddhis. It’s shape resembles to the Shivalinga, hence it is named as Lingana. It is one of the tallest forts in the surroundings of Raigad and Torna.

 
●    Mandle waterfall: - Mandle waterfall is situated at a distance of 11.5 KM to the north of Chavdar Tale. It offers a serene atmosphere owing to its secluded placement. The place offers fresh and cool air. It is located in the rear of small cliff and offers a picturesque sight. A tiny pond has formed at the base of it, it is too small to take a bath or swim in it. 

●     Alibaug beach: - Situated at a distance of 108 KM to the north west of Chavdar Tale. A very flat stretch makes an ideal place for the long walks. The sand has a hard texture and is a shade of black. It is popularly known as ‘Mini Goa’ due to its resemblance in the culture and water sports activities being provided in Goa. 

●    Akshi Beach: - Situated at a distance of 113 KM to the north west of Chavdar Tale and around 5 KM away from Alibaug. It is a white sand beach with numerous pine trees located along the shorelines. The beach is visited by a large number of tourers to witness variety of birds and different flora and fauna can be seen near it.

●    Jagadishwar temple: - Situated at a distance of 170 KM to the north of Chavdar Tale constructed during the time of the great Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Jagadishwar temple is an important shrine to be visited in Raigad. This temple is a portrayal of Hindu-Muslim unity as one can see the beautiful combination of both the culture in its architecture.

Special food speciality and hotel

Maharashtrian food is the speciality of this place, since it is connected to the Mumbai Goa highway various cuisines are available at this place.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

Various hotels and restaurants are available in Mahad.
Hospitals are in the vicinity of Mahad. 
The nearest police station is at 1.1 KM.
The post office is at 300 mts.

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

The ideal time to visit the lake is from November to March
as winters are not harsh here. The weather remains
pleasant, and you will enjoy trekking or ropeway the most
during winters. Summers are hot in Raigad and should be avoided.

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi and Marathi.