Bhandardara: Soul Of The Sahyadris
By Reema Sisodia /Mumbai

Close your eyes, take a deep breath and relax. Picture the image of an area with shimmering waterfalls winding its way through lush green nature, a lake reflecting the feeling of calmness and purity, a place truly pristine in form.

Fortunate enough to experience the images described, I didn’t have to travel across miles. Paradise in fact was close to home, in the state of Maharashtra and just a short drive from Mumbai. Tucked peacefully in the valleys of the Sahyadri’s, Bhandardara, is a place just right for the stressful minds and tired soles.

Being no exception to this stress wagon, a weekend break amidst the serenity of the Sahyadris worked as a soothing balm. Tracking down my memories of the weekend, I realised that Bhandardara had a therapeutic influence on me. Most of the elements of nature were in perfect harmony in this untouched region of the state. From the highest mountain peak in Maharashtra, to one of the largest lakes and oldest dams, completing its journey as cascading waterfalls especially during monsoons, this locale has it all.

Driving through the Mumbai-Nashik highway, diverting from a place called Ghoti, I reached the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) resort after dusk. The initial impression of the place was like just another habitat, where the true picturesque beauty of the region was hidden by the darkness. I was advised to wait till the crack of dawn to savour the true splendours of this getaway.

Unaware of how aptly located the resort is, I entered the reception area, to be welcomed by B H Galande, manager, Bhandardara Resort. Signing in just for a day, his immediate reaction was that a day would prove to be short in terms of experiencing all that this haven had to offer. The place has unique specialities in the offering for nature lovers of varied temperaments.

For those who are inspired by the mountains, Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak (1,646 metres) in the Sahyadri range, overlooking Bhandardara, is for you to scale. If you wish to journey into the spiritual world, the Amriteshwar temple is worth visiting. Thinking of walking through the pages of history, the Ratangadh fort, which lies a few kilometres away from the MTDC resorts, can prove to be an ideal ground for the same. The Arthur lake, in the heart of the region, serves as the home for waters flowing from the Pravara river. Keeping the water intact in its abode, is the famous Wilson Dam, built in 1910 and is 150 metres above sea level. Boating in the clear waters of the lake is also a popular pastime. The renowned Umbrella falls and Randha falls are the other specialties of the region, the magic of which can be experienced only during the monsoons. The Umbrella falls offers its splendour to mankind only during the peak monsoon seasons, when the water level in the lake is considerably high.

Making the best of the time in hand, I took off to a place called Konkankada, known for its unique splendours. Preserving the images of the place, next on my list was the breathtaking view of the Randha falls, where the showers emerging from the falls, reflect the colours of the rainbow, before moving onto its course. However, from sunrise to sunset, it was a day which I dedicated completely to nature.