Detailed Description

The Umbrella Falls, is one of the most popular destinations in Bhandardhara. The Bhandardara Dam is one of the oldest in the country, and was built in 1926 and is popular for its Umbrella Falls, which is real treat for eyes.

 

 

 

Umbrella waterfall is actually not a natural waterfall, but it is an excess water release from flood gates of Bhandardara dam that flows down on the rocks creating delusion of umbrella. Generally in monsoon tourists will be able to see this falls.

 

 

 

Every year during monsoons, the local authorities generally give an advertisement in local news paper before releasing water, which is very useful for tourist as well as for local people's safety.

 

 

 

There have been several some movies shot at this location, and when here.. there is just one word to describe it … E N O R M O U S !!!. 

 

 

 

Timing: Sunrise to Sunset.
Duration: 1 day outing.
Height of the waterfall: 45 meters (150 feet).
Best time to visit: During monsoon season from June to September.
Entry Fee: N.A.
Open days: All days of the week.
Visit Duration: 2 - 3 hours.
Photography: Allowed.

 

 

 

How to reach

 

 

Bhandardara is located near a small village called ‘Shendi’ in Ahmednagar district and can be reached by road and rail.

 

 

By Road : At a road distance of 149 km (Via National Highway 3, State Highway 44) and 163 km (Via National Highway 222), time taken to reach Bhandardara is about 3 to 4 hours depending on your mode of travel i.e. private / rental car or AC buses. Tour operators from Mumbai ply up to Igatpuri station and from there tourist can board an MTDC / S.T. bus or hire a local vehicle like cab / auto. From Igatpuri, Bhandardara is at a distance of 45 km and takes about an hour to reach.

 

 

By Railway: Nearest station is Igatpuri which is about 45 kilometers on central railway route. Once you reach the station, follow the MTDC or ST bus as mentioned above to reach Bhandardara.

 

 

How to reach Bhandardara from Pune

 

 

By Road: The distance between Pune and Bhandardara is 162 km via NH50. It can be reached in approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. One can opt to drive through NH50. This route involves driving from NH 50 to Narayangaon.

 

 

After that, one has to take Otur-Ozar Road to NH222, and then drive along MH SH21 and MH SH44. There are 2 more routes that lead to Bhandardara from Pune.

 

 

One involves driving via Rajya Mahamarga 46 while the other goes via Kopargaon-Shirdi-ahmednagar-Pune Highway.

 

Pune –> Nasik Phata –> Narayangaon –> Otur –> Bhramanwada –> Kotul –> Rajur –> Bhandardara

 

 

 

By Railway: Board a train from Pune to Igatpuri. The total length of this stretch is 133 kilometers by train. After reaching Igatpuri, tourist can hire cabs, taxis or MTDC /S.T buses in order to reach Bhandardara.

 

 

 

Best Time: August – February

 

 

Monsoon and winter season is the best time to Bhandardara. The place is famous for 3 major attractions dams, waterfalls, and trekking to mount Kalsubai, all are related to water and rains. Winters are extremely cool, but precautions must be taken during summer as the climate is quite hot.

 

 

Activities:

 

- Sightseeing
- Photography
- Picnic with friends and family

 

 

 

Beware

 

The waterfalls are a spectacular sight, but tourists must be extremely careful when approaching the water and the water cascades down with great force and could lead to mishaps.

 

 

Places to see near Waterfalls

 

 

- Bhandardara Lake (Arthur Lake)
- Wilson Dam
- Randha Waterfall
- Trek to the nearby forts and peaks
- Amruteshwar Temple

 

 

Where to eat

 

 

There are limited options for eating in Bhandardara. However, there are numerous food stalls offering misal pav and vada pav.Tourist can try out traditional home-cooked food prepared by locals, varan bhat (dal-rice) is easily available but can be spicy.

 

 

MTDC offers a multi-cuisine menu and tourist can choose from the vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Chinese and tandoor items on the menu. Recently many new hotels and restaurants have come up in Bhandardara due to the increase in tourism. Bhandardara is also famous for sweet peda which is easily available at every nook and corner.

 

 

 

Camping

 

There is no official arrangement or infrastructure for camping at the falls.

 

 

But adventure enthusiast seeking adventure can try their luck and seek permission from the local authorities and enjoy a camp near the falls.

 

 

A humble request

 

 

While visiting Umbrella Waterfalls please do not litter and help keep the nature and surroundings clean by carrying back your thrash and disposing it in a decent manner.

 

 

Kindly support nature as these small actions by each one of us will help preserve our beautiful waterfalls.