Bhandardhara Review - Tranquility at its best
Bhandardhara - As usual we planned the trip just a week in advance and could not get accomodation at MTDC resort. There were just handful of accomodations available on the net and we went with the option that if the accomodation was too expensive or if it was bad then we would head back same evening. I am glad we did not came back same day.
Onward journey from Mumbai - We took Eastern expressway - goti - Bhandardhara route , though on google there was another option available, Eastern expressway - Bhandardhara via SH44. The latter was not known and many people had doubts so we took the former. The journey was way too smooth with main stretch on the NH3 and greenery on either side. Goti to Bhandardara was as expected bumpy , but we did not mind as the drive was very scenic and weather pleasant.
Accomodation
Below are the options we got from the internet - MTDC, Anandvan, Yash resort, Amruteshwar hotel. We checked Yash resort first as it was first on the way and for 4 people in one suite with three meals ( we planned for 1 night stay) it was costing 9400/- with the 10% discount the manager offered. It was higher than our budget so we checked anandvan , extravagantly priced , then MTDC - completely booked. Did not like the facade of other hotels so we turned back to yash. However if you would go as a bachelor or big group, can try others.
Yash Resort was also overpriced but given the limited options available , this was not bad. The rooms were spacious, not great views ( if you want a lake view go for MTDC or Anandvan) but nicely done place. Do not expect too many games or recreation facilities but we were surprised to find the swimming pool clean and decent size with kids pool attached. Food was below average but am sure MTDC would not be great either , have had MTDC food at other places. Anandvan we did not check out because our food was included in the package. One can bargain on the package and may try food at Anandvan.
SIGHTSEEING
For one night stay, best is to start around 7-8 in morning reach Bhandarda at about 11-12. Check and refresh, have lunch and head out for the dam. About 5 km from the resort is the dam, you can see the rear view of it and if you are ucky and gates are open then the view would be magnificent, we were not so lucky. But we were not disappointed as we saw something for the very first time. Imagine you are standing , and in front of you is a big tub / tank and you can see the surface of the water at your eye level. Now replace this tub with the lake and you would go mad at the sight which is so overwhelming. The lake itself is so big that some say its about 16 km long, am not sure though. We would come back to lake later. Then we headed for the randha falls where water falls to a good hieght and a gorge is seen. the view was good.
BEST PART OF THE SIGHTSEEING, NOBODY WOULD TELL YOU
After covering randha falls, come back to the MTDC from where you can trek down to the lake. There are both motor boats and rwoing boats available. We were sepnding time leisurely so decided for the rowing boat and we did not rue the decision. They charge about 30-40 per person and take you around the lake for about 20-25 minutes. We paid double and spent double the time inside. In the middle of the lake stop the boat and lie down on your back , watch the sky. Imagine the forms of dinosaur or elephant which the clouds make, take a nap if you want to. Its so calm that you would not want to go back to the world. But since needs are different from our wants we headed back to resort.
Next morning we went to lake again and sat there for about half an hour , came back had breakfast. After about couple of hours went to the pool and enjoyed for about an hour, refershed ourself checked out to leave for the Brick and Mortar i.e. Materialistic Mumbai vowing to come back again to this serene calmness.
Onward journey from Mumbai - We took Eastern expressway - goti - Bhandardhara route , though on google there was another option available, Eastern expressway - Bhandardhara via SH44. The latter was not known and many people had doubts so we took the former. The journey was way too smooth with main stretch on the NH3 and greenery on either side. Goti to Bhandardara was as expected bumpy , but we did not mind as the drive was very scenic and weather pleasant.
Accomodation
Below are the options we got from the internet - MTDC, Anandvan, Yash resort, Amruteshwar hotel. We checked Yash resort first as it was first on the way and for 4 people in one suite with three meals ( we planned for 1 night stay) it was costing 9400/- with the 10% discount the manager offered. It was higher than our budget so we checked anandvan , extravagantly priced , then MTDC - completely booked. Did not like the facade of other hotels so we turned back to yash. However if you would go as a bachelor or big group, can try others.
Yash Resort was also overpriced but given the limited options available , this was not bad. The rooms were spacious, not great views ( if you want a lake view go for MTDC or Anandvan) but nicely done place. Do not expect too many games or recreation facilities but we were surprised to find the swimming pool clean and decent size with kids pool attached. Food was below average but am sure MTDC would not be great either , have had MTDC food at other places. Anandvan we did not check out because our food was included in the package. One can bargain on the package and may try food at Anandvan.
SIGHTSEEING
For one night stay, best is to start around 7-8 in morning reach Bhandarda at about 11-12. Check and refresh, have lunch and head out for the dam. About 5 km from the resort is the dam, you can see the rear view of it and if you are ucky and gates are open then the view would be magnificent, we were not so lucky. But we were not disappointed as we saw something for the very first time. Imagine you are standing , and in front of you is a big tub / tank and you can see the surface of the water at your eye level. Now replace this tub with the lake and you would go mad at the sight which is so overwhelming. The lake itself is so big that some say its about 16 km long, am not sure though. We would come back to lake later. Then we headed for the randha falls where water falls to a good hieght and a gorge is seen. the view was good.
BEST PART OF THE SIGHTSEEING, NOBODY WOULD TELL YOU
After covering randha falls, come back to the MTDC from where you can trek down to the lake. There are both motor boats and rwoing boats available. We were sepnding time leisurely so decided for the rowing boat and we did not rue the decision. They charge about 30-40 per person and take you around the lake for about 20-25 minutes. We paid double and spent double the time inside. In the middle of the lake stop the boat and lie down on your back , watch the sky. Imagine the forms of dinosaur or elephant which the clouds make, take a nap if you want to. Its so calm that you would not want to go back to the world. But since needs are different from our wants we headed back to resort.
Next morning we went to lake again and sat there for about half an hour , came back had breakfast. After about couple of hours went to the pool and enjoyed for about an hour, refershed ourself checked out to leave for the Brick and Mortar i.e. Materialistic Mumbai vowing to come back again to this serene calmness.
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