Bhushi Dam, Lonavala

TRIP TO BHUSHI DAM

Last Saturday, we went to Bhushi dam .Bhushi dam is located in Lonavala, Maharashtra. It is 50 km away from pune. Unlike any other dam, Bhushi dam is different. 

In other dams the water comes out of the shutters, but in Bhushi dam the water flows down the steps. We started at 11 am in the morning. We took the Mumbai - Pune expressway road. As it is the rainy season, we saw a lot of greenery on the way and we saw a lot of falls, all these beautiful things made the journey wonderful. When we were climbing the mountains we saw more and more falls.

Now we were worried whether we would get a place to park the car as it was very crowded. My mom advised to eat something hot before entering the dam. We should cross a small stream, where the water is up to the knee. After crossing stream, we went to the main Bhushi dam. Dam was crowded more than we expected. After a while, we found a place to sit on the steps .The water was very cold, but my father insisted me to lie down on the water.

We headed to a falls that is 1.5 km away from Bhushi dam. Again we had to cross a stream with water level up till knee. We reached bottom of the falls. It was really very hard to climb to the top as it was very slippery. I slipped and fell into a puddle .But finally we reached the top of the falls and it was worth the trouble and a mind blowing sight. We started coming down.

We had tasty Maggie and went once again to the Bhushi dam steps to sit.  It was so much fun.  My father told that it is getting late and we should head home. I felt very sad to leave Bhushi dam. We bought some clay crockery items and Chikki from Maganlal’s, which was running since the time of British. We came home at 6 pm. I wish we could go to Bhushi dam again.

Tips from Thegna

1. We advise to carry zip lock and polythene covers to keep your electronic gadgets safe from water.
2. It rains almost every hour, carry good umbrella to cover yourself
3. Not many hygienic food centers, carry your own or eat in Lonavala town

Kodaikkanal

Trip to Kodai

Hotel - Mount Pleasant

Kodaikanal is a city in the hills of the taluk division of the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest".  Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations". Kodaikanal is also referred as Kodai in short form.


My parents and me did not visit Kodai at all so for. We had long pending desire to visit Kodai. During the 2013 summer school holidays, my first trip was to Thekkady and Kodaikanal.  We are all set to start on 28th Mar 2013. You know what, it was my last working day of grade 3 at school. We head started from Bangalore to Kodai on the same day evening at 3:30 PM ( What a lucky Girl i am !!). I jumped out of my school bus straight in to the CAR.

Kodai  is 450 kms  away  from  Bangalore, we took NH7 route via Hosur, Krishnagiri, Salem, Namakkal, Dindigul. We took dinner break at Thoppor A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavsn). My daddy is the sole driver ( I was denied driving license by government stating my age.  I am eagerly waiting to attain 18 years to start driving). So, we have to take break at Rock Fort Palace hotel in Dindigul  for the night.

The next day I and  my father ate bread and jam. We had packed it from Bangalore itselg. My mother said she doesn't want to eat bread and  tried some hot tiffon in Meenakshi bhavan (opposite to Rockfort Palace hotel), but at last she said that  bread would be more healthy to eat. I do not recommend either RockFort Palace hotel or meenakshi bhavan restaurants.

We head started to Thekkady. It is 137 kms from dindigul .On the way to Thekkady,  there was a dam it was called Chinnamanur dam.

Chinnamannur Dam

Then we went for a boat ride in Thekkady. I  and my mother felt  bored  because it took long time to finish (90 mins boat drive in natural lake). It is very hot and humid. We could not enjoy much with Tiger reserve.

Thekkady Periyar Lake

After the boat ride we ate lunch at tandoori hotel.Then we headed towards Theni. We stayed in ABM Grande , Theni. It is my favorite hotel.The next day breakfast was provided as part of the package. After breakfast,  we took some photos at the hotel  since it was my favorite hotel. Then we started to go to Kodaikanal. On the way to Kodai there was a  falls called Kumbakarai falls. it was so beautiful. Then my mom said she wanted to eat in Thalapakattu and my father asked what I wanted. I wanted Fanta , my parents wanted sprite.

We continued to Kodai in non stop way. as we climbed the mountain,  the temperature started to decrees from 36 degrees it became 30 degrees in few minutes. Road was nice so it was easy for my father to drive. the view was so beautiful . Temperature falls by 2 degree in every 5 Kms climb. In Kodai temperature was 23 degrees. Silver cascade waterfalls welcomed us to Kodai. we cannot take bath  at the falls. Place is crowded with lot of Bhajji stalls.

Silver Cascade Waterfalls

Then we started to look for our booked hotel.The road to the hotel was narrow and steep but the hotel was beautiful . It looked like a villa. Name of the hotel is Mount Pleasant Boutique  Bung-law. We ate lunch packed from Thalappakattu briyani .

Mount pleasant hotel

Hotel - Lawn view

After lunch we went to Kodai lake.We went for 1 hour boat ride.It was a pedalling boat .So I pedalled the whole time as a treat for my parents.When we finished it became dark.We also bought homemade chocolates. Then we went back to the hotel.

Lake - Pedal

The next day we went to Pine tree Forest.My mom said lot of movies were taken here.

Pine Forest

Next we went to Guna cave. My dad said Guna cave is also called the devil's kitchen.Then we went Pillar rock.the clouds were hiding the rock .

Pillar Rock

then we went to Brayant park.It is full of grass.

Brayant Park

My Dad studied in Coimbatore. He insisted to eat in Kovai Annapoorna hotel. We ate lunch at Kovai Annapoorna. We do not recommend this hotel at Kodai to any one. My father said to buy everything at sunday market, but at last it was a local market. Then we went to the lake. As boating is the best rated tourist attraction in Kodai, We went boating for the 2nd time.I and my mom went cycling and horse riding together.Then we went back to the hotel.the next day we started to go home.I felt very sad to come out of Kodai.

Horse Riding - around lake

My Dad insisted to go via Palani route. We went via Palani,thirpur Salem,Hosur, Bangalore.The Palani route was very steep ,dry and dangerous.Me and my mother felt scared and bored. We ate delicious lunch at Sree Saravana Bhavan at Salem. It is great place to have lunch.

My trip to Kodai is one of the best trip. My favorite pick in Kodai are Pine tree Forest and Kodai Lake.

Thegna Praya - Grade 3 (waiting for results)
References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodaikanal

 Credits to My Dad - Driver and Photographer.

Lake and Clouds

View from Upper Lake

Manjalor Dam