[parsh]

It was 31st Dec 2012, the New Year's eve and sudden thought came up to leave aside work and get a refresh on the New Year's first day. The school was also 2 days away from re-opening. It was just a spur of the moment and the plan made immediately for 1st Jan 2013.

The plan was to try get up early in morning, prepare food for picnic, leave around 8-9 AM latest on old NH4 enjoying the drive slowly, enjoy the day at Pavana Dam with a small picnic, do a quick stop at Pune, return by the old NH4 again with a stop at Sunny's for dinner.

And again the late latif as we are, end up starting at 12:15 PM in the afternoon. That was a gross delay beyond anything before, but the New Year's eve party the night before in society was partly to blame, we having dozed off late at around 2 AM. Was pretty late that time but decided to still do it whatever small time we may get and atleast enjoy the drive through, especially since this was the first time we were going to do it. And what a drive it turned out to be. Awesome and wanting for more in this year's coming monsoon.

Do not expect the snaps to be too great. This time we were handicapped even more as my Panasonic TZ7 gave up and had to be put in for repair. Nevertheless, we got decent views using Samsung Ace. However, the drive and the experience of the place was beyond words and we just decided to enjoy without camera for once.

Earlier, on 31st Dec as the plan was formed, did some googling and mapping to get the routing done and set up in E72.

The route as was planned, about 305 kms via old NH4 only.

A/E - Start/End
B - Pavana Dam
C - Pune stop
D - Sunny Da Dhaba



The route as turned out finally, about 308 kms via old NH4 only but with a diversion via Paud road to Pune instead of toward NH4 after Pavana Dam.



The junctions to follow to get to Pavana Dam. Was a bit confused at Satyanad Tirthdham junction, an aged gentleman guided nicely. But should have been easy to spot the road was to Left from here as that is relatively better looking road. Also, the Dudhiware Khind is a Must Drive if you love driving but seems to have an alternative route which I skipped. The road is below average so thread on it cautiously.



Why did we take a detour and why it turned out good?
Had thought going straight at the junction after Pavana Dam and join the old NH4 further on as planned. However, at the junction saw the nicely done board for direction to Paud and Pune and the view too looked exciting with the other side of Dam becoming visible and Tikona Fort coming into the view. So decided to tread on this one and what a road it turned out to be, not the quality of the road, but the splendid views that it gives, a MUST Drive.



A view to the Pavana lake to begin with with a backdrop of Tung Fort hills. The pinnacle in the center is the Tung Fort. Observe how the picnics are going on under the tree on the hill. We didn't have it there (it seemed just too crowded), nevertheless, a nice spot to have your lunch besides the lake.

[parsh]

[parsh]

[parsh]

Mor(e) pls...





Watch the Slope







Fields Of Gold



Tikona Fort

















Finally, leave with a promise to return in the coming monsoons

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing!

Here's my Pawna Report : Link

[parsh]

Originally Posted by GTO

Here's my Pawna Report : Link

Thanks GTO. That was the prime inspiration to make this Pavana Dam trip happen inspite of the late start.

[SDP]

Thanks parsh for the nice snaps! Rekindled my memories.

The 'khind' that you have mentioned - isn't that the place from where you have an alternate access route to Lohagad?

BTW, do you have a pic of the 'khind' itself? When I was there some 2-3 years back, all I could get was a shaky picture from the camera.


Edit: Just re-read. You took an alternate route. Sorry.

[parsh]

Originally Posted by SDP

Thanks parsh for the nice snaps! Rekindled my memories.

The 'khind' that you have mentioned - isn't that the place from where you have an alternate access route to Lohagad?

BTW, do you have a pic of the 'khind' itself? When I was there some 2-3 years back, all I could get was a shaky picture from the camera.
Attachment 1034717

Edit: Just re-read. You took an alternate route. Sorry.

Unfortunately, when I reached the khind, there was a problem of vehicles getting stuck with some traffic going both ways and hence we could not stop and click as well as could not get a running shot of it. But it is the same khind as in your pic. The road just dives down immediately after the khind. Lovely drive.

The alternate route is before this as in modified junctions map below, where there is fork and the right one seems to be the alternative route which I skipped. The Lohagad junction is near-about the khind and it will not go to Pavana Dam but only towards Lohagad and Visapur forts and then towards highway, atleast as per the Google map as I saw. Didn't have time for forts so skipped the forts' junction and headed straight to Pavana Dam.

[Dieselritzer]

wow. Just got the guide book for my next trip :-)

[anjan_c2007]

Thanks for the Pavna dam pictures and the travelogue Parsh. I had been to this very place about ten days back and have clicked a few pictures.
The Pavna Dam is quite a serene and picturesque place for outings from Pune and from Mumbai too. Khadakvasla Dam though picturesque has its crowds these days.
If we skip the Highway/ Expressway and follow the alternate route via. Paud, Lavale and towards Pune from Pavna Dam the villages are typically rural Pune. Its a breather from the regular Pune life.

[ampere]

There are so many good places around Pune! Looks like a perfect place for a weekend. Nice snaps. I wonder it would be beautiful in the golden light. (As I remember one of Rudra's brilliant snaps. )

[parsh]

Originally Posted by ampere

There are so many good places around Pune! Looks like a perfect place for a weekend. Nice snaps. I wonder it would be beautiful in the golden light. (As I remember one of Rudra's brilliant snaps. )

Absolutely superb place for outing, a serene place away from crowded city life. Got to be absolutely wonderful to experience in the Golden Light. Next time I am going to plan that way.

[parassoni]

Originally Posted by parsh

Thanks GTO. That was the prime inspiration to make this Pavana Dam trip happen inspite of the late start.

Great Post Parsh! As with the last post on Saputara, here too you seem to have pipped me to the place first! Was planning to visit during the first rains or so!

I hear there is an awesome restaurant at the Lake or at "The Lohagad Boat Club"! Did u visit the place or have any recommendations of a stay/dine options that are not the usual run-of-the-mill Lonavla haunts! Or do you think its better to drive down from Mumbai and be back the same day??

[parsh]

Originally Posted by parassoni

Great Post Parsh! As with the last post on Saputara, here too you seem to have pipped me to the place first! Was planning to visit during the first rains or so!

I hear there is an awesome restaurant at the Lake or at "The Lohagad Boat Club"! Did u visit the place or have any recommendations of a stay/dine options that are not the usual run-of-the-mill Lonavla haunts! Or do you think its better to drive down from Mumbai and be back the same day??

It sure will be absolutely and totally different place in the rains. Am also waiting for the rains to go there again.

The Lohgad Resort is right on the banks of the lake and is probably the only good place near for food and stay. We did munch on some food there, some snacks only and not much. It seemed decently nice and clean with nice food. The setup is great. They have decent rooms too and the boatclub. That would be the only place to stay around I guess. Although there may be others, but I did not find anything readily as such. A place to visit for must for sure.

If you drive leisurely, it could take 2.5-3 hours from Mumbai. I took the route of old ghat that too leisurely. It is surely possible for a day's picnic outing from Mumbai at ease and seems to be good enough, though it is subject to ones mood. I could have spent a night at the lakeside for sure if time was on hand.