This is probably the easiest way to experience the lakes of switzerland, right in Maharashtra! Bamnoli village on the banks of the Shivsagar lake formed due to the Koyna dam is a small community of people, who mainly cater to the tourists wanting to visit Vasota fort, Nageshwar Shiv Temple and also Tapola.
Click here to see a bigger version of the above panorama
How to go to Bamnoli: Bamnoli lies at the end of the Kaas plateau. You have to go to Satara, cross the city and then take the right at the fork at the end of the city. The road at the left (through a tunner) would go to Thoseghar. Once on this road you have to drive for around 30 kms (crossing kaas lake and the beautiful flower beds) and then climb down to the shore of the Shivsagar lake. Though google maps doesnt show this road, this exists and is a good condition road, not the offroading type. As you descend the ghats onto Bamnoli, you are rewarded with views as comparable to european lake destination (provided you visit this place around the monsoons/winter).
Once in Bamnoli, you can choose from lot of boating options. You can just go for a ride around the shivsagar lake. Or, go for a boat trip to Tapola, also known as mini kashmir. The rates are reasonable, provided you have a group of 5-6 people. Otherwise, you anyway have to pay the group price. If you have time, you can also go on a guided tour to Vasota fort or the famous nageshwar Shiv temple. The waters are right up to the roads inside the village. In fact, there are few buildings which are half-submerged. I guess the end of the village is defined by the amount of water in the backwaters. There is even a Bank of Baroda branch here. So, if you want to, you can even open an account here!
I was just looking around for stuff to photograph, when i noticed something big flying overhead. Thinking it to be a big bird, i followed it and then when it came into view, i realised that it was a big bat. Then i saw the hundreds of bats on the few trees next to the shore. They were there only on these few trees. I was lucky to see this as i would have just returned to my car if not for this low flying bat.
You can go to Bamnoli as a separate trip and then spend the day with a boating trip to Tapola or combine Bamnoli with a visit/drive to the Kaas plateau, as we did.
September 24th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
This was really interesting! I had no idea about this place or even the lake for that matter….
October 23rd, 2010 at 10:09 am
Its awsome place,thanks to give this info can u pl give details of hotels or accomodation in Bamnoli
March 29th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
hi, I have been to thoseghar few years ago and planning a weekned getaway at kas-chalkewadi, can you suggest good route? I looked up Google maps but the thing is it goes through satar( I am coming down from pune) and I think taking sharp left from valase will increase me about 13 km, can you suggest alternative route plz ??? Eagerly waiting!
March 31st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
There are two routes – one of which goes thru satara and the other avoids the city.
The route given above goes through satara.
The other, slightly shorter route, is a little ahead of the turn to Satara from the highway.
Dont take the actual turn to satara from the highway. Go a little further and you will find another road on the right to satara.
This will avoid the city and take you directly to the tunnel from where you can follow the same directions (as above) to Thoseghar.
May 24th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
this is my born place
August 3rd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Send detail of lodging & boarding.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:37 pm
is there any accommodation here if we have to go for an overnight picnic
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:52 pm
not any “recognised” hotel in Bamnoli, though you can do a sleepover at the temple premises.
The nearest place to stay would be Satara (around 30 kms away)
September 25th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
it is my vallege. it is very butiful place. there is verious hotels and botting facilities are vailable. please visit this place.
October 31st, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@suraj ya ya..that was reolly fuunii….
November 3rd, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Very Nice….
When is the right time to visit these places…. like Kaas valley, Thosheghar water falls, Bamnoli Village…
Am Planning to go this November, is that fine…?
November 4th, 2011 at 8:35 am
yes november is fine, though u wont see flowers at Kaas and not the full flow at thoseghar, but if you have never been there. Go there now, enjoy it. Then, return next monsoon and you would appreciate it more
November 12th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
verry nice
November 18th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Need details & we want to come on Saturdy 19th Nov 2011.
Need Urgent Details
November 18th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Supriya, what details do you need? Bamnoli is a village and the route map is given.
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Do we need permission for forest visit & can we stay any decent place..or can we make it one day trip..
November 24th, 2011 at 8:46 am
Supriya, you need permission to visit vasota, but it can be obtained in Bamnoli itself.
trekking grps going to vasota usually stay overnight in the temple and then proceed to vasota fort in the morning.
The nearest “proper” acco would be at Satara, around 32 kms away.
February 16th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Hi
seems like a great place.
Can u suggest the best time to visit this place?
its Feb ryt now , shall i delay this to the monsoon season as right now it wouldnt be having much water .
please reply soon.
Can drop a mail too .
Thanks in advance
February 27th, 2012 at 10:27 am
SUPERB PHOTOS WANTS TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO BAMNOLI VILLAGE TO STAY
July 18th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Hi Rajaram,
I have been following your blog only recently. I ve been living in Pune for so many years, but never knew that these many beautiful places existed around Pune apart from the very famous and crowded ones which every other site on tourist places around pune boasts of. Your site has given me so many options, i am planning to cover most of them this monsoon. Awaiting your next post on anything new to explore around pune this monsoon..
A splendid job indeed, keep it up….!!!!
August 7th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Hi Ramesh,
I am planning to go Bamnoli village / Thoseghar / windmill farm on 118th and 19th of August, whether I can enjoy the folowers at Kaas now.
Please advice.
Ravindra Nerpawar
August 13th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Dear Rajaram,
For visiting Bamnoli, do we need to cross through Kaas Plateau? Or is there any other route bypassing Kaas? As there are restrictions now to take vehicles on the Plateau (need to park them about 2 kms prior), how can we go to Bamnoli avoiding Kaas?
Kaustubh.
August 15th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Excellent write-up and pics. I am visiting on 18th, will touch Bamnoli as well. You made my trip thank you.
August 15th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Hi Rajararam
I am satish.I read your blog and obtsained valuable information about places around pune.Thank you very much.
August 18th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
there is a side (little kuchcha) road just before the main area which goes to bamnoli.
September 5th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Hi Rajaram, I am a vivid reader of your blog and really appreciate the details provided by you. I also do visit a lot of places but it never occurred to me that I should share this with others.. a very splendid job done by you indeed! Many thanks. Am planning to visit Bamnoli soon!!
October 18th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Hi Rajaram,
i was doing some research on the web for Kaas and Bamnoli and stumbled upon your blog which is very informative. We plan to visit Kaas and Bamnoli and Google map says i have to go via Satara from Kaas to make a trip to Bamnoli. Your blog says there is a kachha road and i think that would be my route (hoping that its not too Kachha). I’ am on a 4WD SUV, but there are women and children in the group who may not be able to take the grind of a way too kuchha road.
Also will try to use your tip about driving upto the road forking to Bamnoli and park the vehicle there and walk to the Kaas plateu (although my visit is on a Thursday and i hope there wont be much restrictions as mentioned by you for weekdays).
November 12th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
hi rajaram… awesome info.. planing to visit kaas by this month end. but i wont be having any vehicle of my own and will be alone. what are the options of transportation for me…? i love travelling alone. would be great if u could mail me..!
thanks in advance
January 12th, 2013 at 11:53 am
torist attraction
January 12th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
any resort or hotel in bamnoli…. plz display the hotels name or contact no.
January 13th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
no hotels in bamnoli. there is a temple though, where trekkers stay for the overnight
April 15th, 2013 at 2:57 pm
is so beautifull,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
May 14th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
No resort in Bamnoli.
Best place to stay is Satara, you will be able to cover the Thoseghar as well over the weekend.
Tip for Kas Visit – If you have bicycle, please carry. Car parking is around 3 KMs from Kas plateau entrance.
May 15th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
You can also visit Yavateshwar temple while going to Kaas. http://www.deepakgaikwad.net/index.php/2009/03/21/yavateshwar-a-unique-shiva-temple-in-satara.html