Igatpuri is a hill station and a city in the Western Ghats located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, 130kms from Mumbai. Located on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway, Igatpuri is a heaven for nature lovers. It also has some of the highest peaks of the Sahyadri range.
Igatpuri is primarily known for the Vipassana International Academy, the headquarters of the world’s largest Vipassana meditation institute. It teaches the strict form of meditation first taught by Gautam Buddha in the 6th century BC. A popular weekend getaway from Mumbai and Pune, Igatpuri is one of the best places to visit in Maharashtra in monsoon. It is also a major railway station in Maharashtra connecting surrounding major cities.
Apart from old forts, majestic waterfalls, and tall mountains, Igatpuri is also a great place to indulge in activities like rock climbing and trekking. For photographers and nature lovers, Igatpuri offers Bhatsa River Valley, Camel Valley, Konkankada valley and the Randha falls, decorated with rivers and waterfalls. For trekkers, Igatpuri houses Trngalwadi Fort, placed at an altitude of 3000ft. You can cherish a mesmerizing view from the fort.
Places To Visit In Igatpuri
Tringalwadi Fort: Behind the Ghatandevi Temple lies the Tringalwadi Fort, situated at an altitude of 3000 ft above sea level. The height of the fort offers a scenic view of the Konkan and Nashik route. Believed to have been built in the 10th century, the fort attracts trekkers and hikers.
The top of the Tringalwadi Fort looks like a turban and overlooks the entire mountain range. A Hanuman temple is located at the foot of the hill next to the Tringalwadi Lake. The Talegaon Lake formed by the small dam is located a few kilometers away from the area.
Ashoka Waterfall: Vihigaon Waterfall is a perfectly refreshing weekend getaway in the lap of nature’s bounty near Nashik. The waterfall is known for its captivating natural beauty and the 120 feet fall where the visitors can engage in rappelling for about 30 minutes. The hike stretch to the falls through the woods is also quite fascinating.
Kalsubai Peak: Mt. Kalsubai is the highest peak of the Sahyadri Ranges. The view of this majestic mountain is an amazing sight in Bhandardara. It is also known as the Everest of Maharashtra, as it is the highest peak in the state.
Ghatandevi Temple: A little ahead of Igatpuri, crossing the camel valley, a small road leads to the famous temple of Ghatandevi. It is said that this deity is known as ‘the protector of the ghats’. Behind the temple lies the Tringalwadi Fort.
Vipassna Centre: Founded by S. N. Goenka, Dhamma Giri Meditation Centre is a mutt that offers meditation courses following the Buddha teachings.
The entrance, the large golden pagoda that marks the Centre is a landmark for Igatpuri. Many visitors come to the mutt from India and abroad.
Bhavali Dam: Bhavali Dam is a huge dam built on the River Bham in the Bhavali village in Igatpuri, Maharashtra. With a height of 111.5 ft. and a length of 5090 ft., the dam is a popular tourist attraction in the region. People visit here to witness the scenic natural beauty and it is also a popular picnic spot in the region. Besides, the water from the dam is also used for irrigation and drinking purposes in the surrounding regions. Reverberating with serenity and peace, the place can be reached by climbing a flight of around 100 stairs.
Best time to visit Igatpuri
The best time to visit Igatpuri is during the monsoons (June to March) and winters (November – December). During the monsoons, the flowers are in full bloom and the sprawling meadows are a brighter shade of green, while in winter lgatpuri offers many activities for the ones seeking adventure. Summers are scorching and should ideally be avoided.
How to Reach Igatpuri by Air. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai at a distance of around 140km from Igatpuri is the nearest international airport.
