Introduction:
Sandhan valley is a very beautiful and fantastic place to visit in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. This valley is also known by another name as valley of suspense or valley of shadows. Sandhan valley also offers very dangerous adventurous sports such as rappelling, rock climbing, camping etc. There are also so many beautiful places near Sandhan valley and they are:-
- Ratangad Fort
This Fort is a 400 year old historical building where Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha king used to rest. This fort is situated near the Sahyadri range near the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). This fort is very beautiful and it is known for its beautiful surroundings and different types of tracks.
Suitable time to visit this place is between October and December.
- Randha Falls
Randha falls is a very magnificent waterfall and is situated in the Igatpuri region near the Arthur Hill. It is located at a distance of about 11km from the famous Wilson dam. Randha falls generally fall from a height of 45 m. Randha falls is also known for it is the third largest waterfall in the country. This waterfall gets water from Pravara river.
One of the best seasons to visit here is in the monsoon season.
- Mount Kalsubai
The altitude of Mount Kalsubai is about 1646 m and it is the highest peak of the Sahyadri mountains. Mount Kalsubai is also very famous for its trekking destinations like Kalsubai temple, Ratangad fort and Harishchandragad fort.
The most suitable time to visit here is from September to February because here in the month of October the locals organize the religious fair in the temple. People can also visit here in the month of July to March.
- Arthur Lake
This lake is formed from river Pravara and is popularly known as Lake Arthur Hill. Agastya Rishi meditated here for about a year and for this reason this place has religious importance. The dense forests covered this magnificent lake. The lake is about 34 km long and it also features a waterfall named Randha waterfalls which falls from a height of 45 m. Government uses the water for generating hydropower. People can also enjoy boating at this lake and boats are the main option for transportation to the nearby Barib and Ratanwadi villages.
The most suitable time to visit here is from July to March.
- Amruteshwar Temple
This beautiful temple is located near the Ratanwadi village in the Igatpuri region. The age of this temple is about 1200 years old. This time features Lord Shiva as the main deity. This temple is constructed in Hemadpanthi architectural style having beautiful rock carvings on its main shrine. This temple also has a close distance to Ratangad fort. Travelling to this temple by roads is a very difficult task due to the rough roads on the hills. People can take boats from Arthur lake to visit this temple. The distance from where people will take a boat to reach the temple is about 8 km.
The most suitable time to visit this temple is from September to March.
- Wilson Dam
Wilson dam is the most amazing and marvelous tourist spot near the Sandhan valley. It was built in 1910 on the river Pravara and in fact it is also an ideal picnic spot. There is a swimming pool and a circular garden situated at the base of the dam. It is located at a distance of about 11km from the Randha falls, it is one of the oldest dams in entire Asia.
The most suitable time to visit here is from June to October.
- Ratanwadi
It is situated on the Kalsubai mountain at the base of the famous Ratangad fort lies the small village called Ratanwadi. This village is the base or starting point for the trekkers who come here for trekking. This village also houses the most famous Amruteshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is a remote village and is far away from the main town. Traveling to this village is a little bit difficult due to the rough and not so connecting roads. Boat rides from Arthur lake are the suitable option to visit this village. It takes around 20 minutes to walk to the place from where the boat drops.
The most suitable time to visit here is from June to March.
Conclusion
So here are some of the places to visit near the Sandhan valley trek and all the places are fantastic and marvelous. Everyone should visit here with their family, friends and colleagues.
