Dimbhe Dam ( Dimbhe Khurd ) Trip!

It's was short planned trip with scope of previous day evening 3pm onward and return to Pune by 11am next day.

There are other spots to visit and see for you more exploring:

• Ghod River bridge point:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/7KYfduZjaLtq8QxC9
• Lake view:  https://www.google.com/maps/dir//19.0962889,73.7464815/@19.094694,73.7466096,715m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0?entry=ttu 
• Lake View point 2 : https://www.google.com/maps/dir/19.0998043,73.7504954/19.0962889,73.7464815/@19.1002528,73.7494985,580m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!4m4!1m0!1m1!4e1!3e0?entry=ttu 
• Temple: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kothai+Devi+Temple/@19.1016885,73.726689,2137m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m5!3m4!2zMTnCsDA2JzA2LjEiTiA3M8KwNDQnMjMuNSJF!8m2!3d19.101696!4d73.739853!3m5!1s0x3bdd45b5dc08f723:0xdf34bb9b9a1c36b4!8m2!3d19.0996168!4d73.7234672!16s%2Fg%2F11kqg2l_hw?entry=ttu
• Temple: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Satwai+devi+Mandir/@19.1016885,73.726689,2137m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m5!3m4!2zMTnCsDA2JzA2LjEiTiA3M8KwNDQnMjMuNSJF!8m2!3d19.101696!4d73.739853!3m5!1s0x3bdd451118c21947:0x9f11a7e1ab1aa0a8!8m2!3d19.1006826!4d73.7202269!16s%2Fg%2F11fsnwx71d?entry=ttu
• Fish farm: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pCDWhqCvM2jFYBcy5 ( Enable satellite view to see) 
• Another camping + food spot nearby: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Back+To+The+Nature+Camping+Site/@19.1090506,73.7569095,2137m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x3bdd4766add4f97d:0x22e7f760b5807a23!8m2!3d19.1069273!4d73.755606!16s%2Fg%2F11g0zp6y5p?entry=ttu
  

You can park car on road and walk down the lane to find water reservoir. I enjoyed this sunset view from there. It was great pleasure and feeling although sun goes behind the mountains but reflection it creates on dam water is really nice. Also depends on which time of year you visit the place and what level of rainfall is received in region. Water level will allow us to explore area accordingly. 

 I would suggest to go https://www.google.com/maps/dir/19.0998043,73.7504954/19.0962889,73.7464815/@19.1002528,73.7494985,580m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!4m4!1m0!1m1!4e1!3e0?entry=ttu for night camping if you have the tent and setup. 

Good for bachelor group of 4-5 guys. Mr Kiran Borade +91 95944 38990 takes care of the place and food. Stay location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UkZsjaKELFKxF7Nt8 . Mr Kiran arranged nice bonfire and food for us!

I would highly recommend his home made matka biryani and fresh water fish. Fresh fresh water fish are too fresh and freshly brought from dam within just 2-3 hours before they are prepared. Taste is really awesome for both of these items and I suggest to have it in lunch to fully enjoy with full appetite. 

Word of caution of those who are more in salt water fish, number of small bones on fresh water fish are little more. Still go with Chilapi and you won't be upset.

Ask Mr Kiran to prepare food and bring your own table/setup for dinner. Keep locals informed to avoid any issues. Local villagers/farmers have Fish farm setup on other side of dam. Mr Totre has huge setup for fishing. You may find him at https://maps.app.goo.gl/iZ4sw6HJs6BmJuKU9 where you can get fresh fish if there are fishermens around the spot. Also note that fish prices are way way too cheap here so it's also nice idea of bring storage and get them eating later at home. Prices were around 150/- per kg, same is sold at 400-600/- per kg in Pune or other nearby town places.

There is fish point, competitor of folks whom we visited/met there. https://maps.app.goo.gl/DtcaL7etsi4cYfdV9 (check photos)

Fish Farms:

Ghod River bridge point:

 

Sunset lake view:

Bon fire:

Chickoo (Sapodella or Sapota) plant flowers: (Ref https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilkara_zapota )  aka sapote, chicozapote, chicoo, chicle, naseberry, or nispero, soapapple

Important Note:

Do NOT swim in dam without supervision and locals informed, its deep and backwater has lots of muddy clay which can make you drown if stuck in it. There had been such death instances.

Do NOT enter in water! There are no crocodiles but slippery and sharp rocks can harm you. Most fishes smell the blood in water to enjoy the fist! Never know who eats whom! Water is their territory!

Do NOT argue with locals, they recommend things for your safety! It's always ok to pay and get their services and enjoy your trip!

Last but not the least, whole trip expense was 2500/- for 4 of us. per head 650/- including:

• Diesel in my car (Kia Carens),
• Snacks: Pakoda, Tea and later on hot and fresh Fish fried (may be half to 1kg)
  
• Dinner:  Matka biryani, Fresh fish, roti, chicken curry and chuliwarchi bajri chi bhakar along with bonfire!
• Night stay arrangement. (no camp but indoor bedding)
  
• Next day breakfast misal on way back

If you are family and want to enjoy more peaceful place with luxury of good resort stay, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/fSPQyMKCaiaqM4eU9 Squirrel Resort OR https://maps.app.goo.gl/AbEHa7pS871fA6tB8 La Moire Resort. Both are having good reputation/rating and good to family stay with more luxury (and cost!) and peace! You can still call Mr Kiran to get his Matka biryani and enjoy it!

 

 

One day Trip to Bhigwan/Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary : Flammingos, Herons, Ducks and many more birds!

 

One fine morning my 6year old daughter got seriously curious to see Flammingos. I guess, main reason was pink being her favorite color. Another question that comes is which animal is pink in color? You already guessed which bird is pink: Flammingo! 

So with some research and word of mouth publicity, idea of visiting Bhigwan came! We did unplanned trip with family to Bhigwan! There were two major motivations:

1. Seeing birds and Flammingos 

2. Eating fresh water fish

 

 Map:

Kranti Flamingo Point

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kranti+Flamingo+Point/@18.2649046,74.80022,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x3bc379954f8e05ff:0x8f0437de213fc684!8m2!3d18.2648995!4d74.8027949!16s%2Fg%2F11c20qdbky?entry=ttu 

Best time to go: Jan mid to Feb end.

Preferred time in day: morning 6-9am 

Evening activities at 5-6.30pm 

 

Place offers:

1. Stay
2. Food
3. Snacks
4. Wonderful Labrador dog to play with!

Distance from this point to lake is not far. One can take their own car/SUV or go on bike with boat navik. Person is knowledgeable with bird migration, place bird visit, breed and travel.

Although boats are available anytime of the day but go on preferred time. Do call on the google map number so you know the schedule and boat is arranged for you.

Charges: 1000/- per boat per hour per capacity of 4-5 people.

Things to Carry:

1. Cap
2. Water
3. Camera(s)
4. Binocular

There are plenty of photos on Google maps. Do not forget to have lunch there with tasty fresh water fishes: Chilapi and Rau. 

 

Fun facts:

1. Flamingos come from Siberia (see in GMap to find where it is)
2. Some birds also come from Egypt
3. Flamingos go to Gujrat coastal area for nesting. There nest is a little peak of sand and they put their egg on top of that sand peak. Not sure on logical reasoning. 
4. Flammigos get their pink color from algae they eat
5. Painting stork is bird with feature wings of black paint design
6. Herons are commonly seen seating patiently for their pray.
7. Flamingos can fly at speed of 300 km/h
8. Flamingo can be as talk as 4feet
9. All birds come at Bhigwan for food. They go their breeding nests in evening for sleep
10. Flamingo sleep on one leg (always!) and keep their folded long neck on their back
11. Raptors and Falcons are seen in morning. Mostly doing hunting of other birds.
12. Keep exploring!