Bheera Dam

Bheera Dam
(Based on Latest visit Oct 2017)

The dam also known as Unnaiyi Dam. The Bheera village suddenly became famous in May 2017 as its Max temp. recorded highest in Maharashtra. Its also recognized as end point of Andharban-Jungle trek. It is a gateway of Devkund waterfall too.

Its a peaceful place to spend one day.

How to Reach :
Approx 100 km. from Pune.
Pune-Pirangut-Paud-Mulashi dam backwater road-Tahmini ghat-Nive-Plus valley view point- when tahmini ghat ends go straight,( Don't take left turn to Bhagad MIDC road which is wider)- go ahead- Varachi Wadi village-Take right trun to Patnus village (left turn goes to Kundlika river rafting - Mumbai) -Patnus village -take right turn to Bheera dam- Its Dam project place i.e. Tata Power House - Park your vehicle.
The road condition is good from Pune to Varchi wadi village. Varachi Wadi to Bheera dam its narrow road but condition is good. Road had bad condition from Chandani chauk Pune to Male villahe (Mulshi Dam).
Avoid night drive in Tahmini ghat in rainy and winter season.

Plus valley 

Plus valley view point 

 

Tahmini Ghat

Parking : 
Free Parking place is available at Bheera dam project i.e. Tata Power House. You can take vehicle upto the Dam wall place.

Food and Stay :
Many veg-non veg  restaurants are available from Pune to Tahmini ghat. Then small restaurants are there at Varchi Wadi and Patnus village. Many restaurants are opened only on Sundays. No tiffins are required. Many home made hotels are there. 

Home stay with food also provided in Patnus village which is nearest village to the dam.

Patnus village

Tata Power Project

What to See :
The Bheera dam is very calm and cool place. You can have look of beautiful scene of dam water and Kundlika Valley mountains at the background. Its the peaceful place to roam around in the nature.
The incoming running water channel after power project generation can be observed from one corner of the dam wall.

Inlet of Tata Power station

 

 

 

 

The way to Devkund wanterfall starts from here.

The end point of Andharban trail can be seen other side dam.  

Trek safety :

• Avoid on weekdays ! 
• Take care in monsoon season, the land become sleepery due to heavy and continuous rain. 
• Summers are hot. 
• Best season July to April. 

Neelkantheshwar

Neelkantheshwar
(Based on latest visit in November 2017)

Nilkantheshwar is a popular religious place for Hindus. It has a temple of Lord Shiva, called 'Nilkantheshwar'. Late Shri. Shankarao Sarje mama started the development of the temple.
The hundreds of statues of Indian Mythological Gods are the main thing of attraction e.g. Ramayan, Mahabharat, Purana etc.

How to Reach :

About 40 km from Pune. It would take apprx. 100 mins. to reach because last 8-20 km road condition is not good.

Pune-Warje-Shivne- OR- Pune - Sinhgad road- Dhayri - Nanded city - Kirkitwadi - Khadakwasla village- take right turn to dam wall - NDA road 
Then - 

- NDA-Peacock bay (15km)- parallel to Khadakwalsa dam back water -Kudje-Mandvi-Splendor country-Sangrun- Bahuli -Katawadi-take left turn board (25km) - cross a small bridge (its very rough road) - then take trun left - Davaje- take right turn from Jambali (35 km)- its little ascend- then after village little rough road- parking of Nilkantheshwar.

Parking : 

The paid parking place is available for buses, cars, bikes etc. A restaurant, wahsroom and Sarje mama paduka temple situated at the parking place.

 

Food and Stay : 

Small restaurants are there at the parking and on the top too. Parking restaurant open only on Sunday and religious days. Veg food, pakode, poha, tea, bottled water etc. are available. The vast shades are built near the temple for big groups especially for school students to eat tiffins. Stay facility is available for pilgrims. (Dharmashala). Many local people come to this place on special occasions.

About Trek :

Its a small trek of 30/40 minutes. Kids and senior citizens can ascend on it easily. The trekking route is well shaped and broad unlike forts. 

   

What to See :

You need at least 2 hours to see the temple, statues and surrounding view.

The temple of Lord Shiv named Nilkantheshwar is well maintained. It is situated on the top of the hill which is surrounded by the forest especially of Neelgiri trees.

Many statues of Hindu Gods are constructed telling stories from Hindu mythology from Puranas, Ramayan, Mahabharat etc.

You can see Panshet Dam, Varsgaon dam, Khakwasla dam,Confluence of river Mutha- Ambi river and Ambi-Mose rivers, Sinhgad fort, Torna fort and Rajgad fort.