Lavasa

Overview:

A private planned city being built near Pune, Lavasa is famous for its sheer natural beauty. Initially christened ‘Pearly Blue Lake Resorts’; Lavasa is being constructed by a unit of Hindustan Construction Company, Lavasa Corporation. It is advertised as the first hill station in India, post independence. The land circumscribed for Lavasa is located around the backwaters of the Varasgaon Dam in the Mose valley region of the Western Ghats. Initially the project ran into a judicial conundrum with the Indian Environment and Forests Ministry, but the gordian knot being cut, the land’s development is in full swing. Targeting Lavasa and its environs, Lavasa Corporation has initiated a number of CSR programs. Locals already living near Lavasa are being provided employment opportunities and vocational training. Diwali festivities for primary school students, from nearby villages is also hosted. The inhabitants of the planned city and the neighboring communities have access to a medical facility, free of charge. The structures of four hotels, a city center and a school are completely operational, as of today. Though some sections of the planned city are complete, the bulk of construction is scheduled to be executed and accomplished by the year 2020. Once realized it would comprise five towns built on seven hills. Nature trails through the lush green hills in Lavasa offer a cool refuge to soothe the mind, body and soul. There are also a number of parks, creches and gardens in the hill city that one must visit while in Lavasa.  Other places worth visiting in Lavasa include Games Arcade, and Dasvina Town & Country Club.Visitors traversing through Pune and Mumbai would appreciate the close proximity of both these mega cities with Lavasa, and grab the opportunity to undertake a short tour of Lavasa. The distance between the two cities is a little over 150 kilometres, and the ride from Mumbai to Lavasa by car takes around 3-4 hours. Mumbai to Lavasa taxi or car rentals, are a popular choice for travelling from Mumbai to Lavasa as they ensure a fast and comfortable journey. Lavasa is also a very popular weekend getaway for people from nearby cities. Some tourists prefer renting the cab for the entire duration of their stay in Lavasa, so that there’s always a vehicle at their service, which makes travelling within and around the city convenient.

Sightseeing:

Situated on the banks of the Mose River, the Varasgaon Dam is the chief attraction in the region. Suitable for various water sports, the Mose River is also the main water source for the city of Pune. The Varasgaon Dam is also called as the Veer Pasalkar Dam. The embankment of the dam is a popular picnic spot.

The dam on the river Ambi, Panshet Dam is sited at a distance of 50 km southwest of Pune. It is also known as Tanajisagar Dam.  The dam was Constructed in the late 1950s for irrigation along with three other dams nearby, it supplies drinking water to Pune. The Panshet Dam burst in its first year of storing water on 12 July 1961, due to the total absence of the ubiquitous reinforced cement concrete. Although it caused a significant loss of property, there was no loss of human life.

Temghar Dam, is an earthfill and gravity dam on Mutha river near Mulashi in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The dam is in close proximity of Lavassa.   Built for irrigation purposes, the dam is 139 feet high and 3527 feet wide. The gross storage capacity of the Temghar Dam is 285 cu mi. Khadakwasla Dam is another dam that is frequented by tourists for picnics.

Things To Do:

Xthrill Adventure Academy invites its visitors to experience the adrenaline rush with a host of activities like zorbing, kayaking, rifle shooting, jungle trekking, hiking, rock climbing, waterfall rappelling, camping and more.

Currently there are various options for of tourists. Lakeshore Water Sports, plays the perfect host to adventure enthusiasts, where they can indulge in exciting activities like water volleyball, pontoons, bumper boating, pedal boating, and jet skiing.

Initiated five years ago the Lavasa Women’s Drive is an annual event of Lavasa. It starts from both Pune and Mumbai culminating at Lavasa. Lavasa Corporation Ltd organizes this drive in collaboration with the Bombay Times; in aid of the Woman's Cancer Initiative of Tata Memorial Hospital. Multiple aspects like - fun, adventure and spirit of the Indian woman along with a social cause is graphically captured.

The bus and train tour conducted in Lavasa proffers an unforgettable experience, winding its way through the various sites of the hill city.