A hidden dam in the heart of Lonavala: Tungarli Dam, Maharashtra
Located about 89 km from Mumbai and 68 km from Pune is a lovely, peaceful and beautiful Tungarli Dam. Tungarli Dam built across the Tungarli Lake is a famous weekend picnic spot near Rajmachi. With Lonavala being highly accessible, one has plenty of options to choose from to get here.
There are two options of getting to Tungarli Dam the first and also the most economical way is to board a train from Mumbai or Pune. The train ride takes about 3 hours from Mumbai and 1 hour from Pune respectively and during the monsoon, the view from the train as it climbs the ghats is breath-taking with the whole place covered in greenery.
Tungarli Dam
The second available option is to hop onto one of the State Transport or ST buses from Mumbai or Pune, as Tungarli Dam is very close to the Lonavala ST bus stop. Frequent buses are available from Mumbai Central leaving after an interval of every 30 minutes. The buses from Pune ply every 15 minutes.
Tungarli Dam was constructed during the British era around the 1930s. The dam helps in the irrigation of the Rajmachi region. Tungarli Dam is a backpacker’s haven. The camping facilities for backpackers and tourists are available at the lake site. No permission of any kind is required to pitch a tent and set up camp.
The dam is placed in the backdrop of scenic surroundings with lush greenery. From the cliff top, views of beautiful bungalows, hotels and the entire hill station of Lonavala is visible. One can really relax and get some peace at this place.
The nearby Tungarli village, in the hills of the Sahyadri ranges, offers a picturesque, panoramic view of the downtown Rajmachi and also other places such as Lonavala and Lohagad. The major source of drinking water to the residents of this village is the Tungarli Lake which is a small lake with a rough approach road. The vada pav that is sold in this village is a must have along with the cutting chai (tea) that is sold in the small dhabbas.
There are plenty of options for food and budget backpackers as well as accommodation in the nearby village. However keep in mind that Lonavala is extremely crowded during weekends, since it attracts a lot of crowd from the cities of Mumbai and Pune, especially during the monsoons so planning a trip with this in mind is advised.
The best time to visit Tungarli Dam is during the months of September to March when the weather is cool and pleasant and the humidity is low. During the monsoons, the area around Tungarli receives heavy rainfall and the view is spectacular with the green meadows, the cascading waterfalls and the natural beauty of the place.
Tungarli Dam is an ideal place to visit for anyone looking to break away from their routine and experience the outdoors first hand by backpacking, camping, and trekking.
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