Maharashtra, the western state in the Deccan plateau, has been endowed with rich geography. The Arabian Sea hugs its western borders, lending it great beaches over 750 miles of shore line and the ghats are the lungs with verdant forests. The state does not have a developed canal irrigation system a-la Punjab but the four prominent rivers and numerous lakes all over Maharashtra had been the major water sources for the natives. The construction of few dams, has also contributed to development of lakes for leisure activities; Panshet Lake is one example. The city of Thane is the “City of Lakes” with more than two dozen lakes and water bodies.
Tansa Lake and Tansa wildlife sanctuary is in the Thane district just North of Mumbai. The lake is a pleasant expanse of blue waters in natural settings of the sanctuary; a perfect place to shake off the stresses of the modern day mechanical life of the metropolis. The migratory birds can be sighted from September to March. The lake is also a major source of water to Mumbai
Upwan Lake is another famous weekend getaway of Thane. The area has been declared a pollution free zone by the district municipal authorities reducing the vehicular traffic. The clean air, quiet and peaceful settings have further added to the appeal of place. The Talao Pali Lake of the city is considered the most picturesque and the most visited one too. Apart from these lakes, the city has umpteen Talaos, which translate to ponds. These are named on various Marathi personalities and names of localities.
Vihar Lake. The largest lake of Mumbai is located within the Borivali National Park. The lake is fed with rain water from the catchments of Powai-Kanheri hill ranges. The Tulsi and Powai lakes are the other two lakes in its vicinity. Due to security reasons the access to the lake is banned for the general public, but if you can manage to remove the general public tag, the doors of the lake would open for you.
Powai Lake, 25 miles from Mumbai city is one the most scenic lakes of the financial capital of India. The Powai area is one the most happening places of Mumbai with well developed roads and residential layouts. Many of the Bollywood movies were shot in this locale before the fad of foreign locations set in. The premier Mumbai IIT is also located next to the lake.
Rankala Lake. The picturesque Rankala Lake is located in Kolhapur. The municipal authorities have recently completed the beautification project of the lake with a lakeside walk and cleaning up the lake water. The lake is also famous for boating and horse riding. The well kept gardens and lawns are the main attractions of the lake. It is especially famous with the kids and youth as a weekend getaway. The Shalini Palace Hotel, just yards away from the lake is the best option for stay for visitors and tourists.
Panshet Lake of Pune is a prominent picnic place and also known as the Chowpati of the city. Pune, once a laid back educational city of Maharashtra, is home to some lakes in scenic settings. The backdrop of Sahyadri hill ranges and several waterfalls give an ethereal beauty to the Panshet Lake. The lake is about 25 miles from Pune city. The other two prominent lakes of Pune are Pashan and Pimpri Lakes. Pashan lake is a few miles from Pune city and is a huge expanse of more than a hundred acres. The murky stagnant lake of today was once the water source for the residents of Pashan area and also the Governor’s House. The PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) has began its drive to spruce up the lake and its surroundings, some results are already visible but a lot is desired.
Pimpri Lake. The richest municipality of Asia, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipality has developed this artificial lake. The tastefully developed lake with boating and fishing facilities is a great attraction for the Puneites.
Lonar Lake. The lake in Buldhana district of the state is a meteor crater. This is the third biggest meteor crater lake of the world with a diameter of a mile and more than 500 feet deep. The lake has a constant water flow from ‘Gomukh’, a devine Hindu place with innumerable myths and legends.
Venna Lake is the pride of the hill station of Mahabaleshwar, located just a small walk from the town. The lake was built by the Satara King with the primary purpose of water storage and supply to Mahabaleshwar. The lake has been developed into a tourist attraction with boating, fishing, horse riding and a plethora of wayside eateries. The fresh succulent strawberries of the town are a great attraction with the tourists.
The city of Nagpur, in the northwest of the state, has Khindse and Ambazari lakes. The Ambazari Lake, just a few miles from the city is the place for kids with a giant dinosaur at the entry point and a musical fountain with dancing lights. The tiny-tot train, play grounds with swings and rocking Columbus boat would keep the kids busy and give a bit of time to their parents for a little chat. The aero modeling show of the weekend evenings is an attraction for the young and old.
Apart from the lakes, four major rivers the Godavari, Krishna, Tapi and Narmada flow through the state of Maharashtra. The Godavari is the main river of Mahrashtra with Indravati, Wardha, Mnajira, Penganga and Purna rivers as its primary tributaries. Krishna River with its origin at Mahabaleshwar flows through three states; Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There are some smaller rivers like Mulla Muttha of Pune, which have become an open sewage drain with industrial effluents and city sewers draining into it. It is a solace that the industrialization bug has not bitten the inner districts of Maharashtra.
Lakes in Maharashtra
