Koyna Dam - River Koyna

About:

The Koyna River rises in Mahabaleshwar and is a tributary of the Krishna River in western Maharashtra, India. Unlike most of the other rivers in Maharashtra which flow East-West direction, the Koyna river flows in North-South direction. The Koyna River is famous for the Koyna Dam which is the largest hydroelectric project in Maharashtra. The reservoir — Shivaji Sagar Lake, is a huge lake of 50 km in length. The dam is situated in Koyna Nagar in the Western Ghats. The river meets the Krishna River, which is one of the three largest rivers in southern India by Karad.

Koyna Dam being one of the largest dams in Maharashtra and lies in Koyna Nagar, nestled in the Western Ghats. The Dam is easily reachable if availed the state highway between Chiplun and Karad in Maharashtra. The Koyna Dam supplies water to western Maharashtra as well as cheap hydroelectric power to the neighboring regions with a capacity of 1,920 MW. The Koyna project includes four dams, with the Koyna dam encompassing the largest catchment area. The gross storage of Koyna Dam is around 105 TMC and the height is 103 metres, while the width is 808 metres.

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History:

The Koyna River dams the catchment area of the river and forms a huge lake - the Shivajisagar Lake, which is almost 50 kilometres long. The Koyna Dam was completed in 1963 and it is one of the largest civil engineering projects specially made after Indian independence. The Maharashtra State Electricity Board runs the Koyna electricity project. Most of the generators of the Koyna Dam are installed in excavated caves almost a kilometre deep, inside the depth of the surrounding hills.

The dam is prone to the epidemic of earthquakes in the recent past. In 1967 a shocking earthquake almost shook the dam. Unfortunately, the dam developed major cracks. Geologists are still into researchers, if the Koyna Dam is responsible for the rise in in seismic activity.

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Mount Malcolm:
It used to be the most famous building in the olden days. it was built in 1829 with magnificient architectural skills. Unfortunately, it has lost a lot of its old charm now.

Catholic Church:
A visit to the old Raman Catholic Holy cross church is worth a detour. although the church is practically falling apart, its stained-glass windows are still a sight to behold. this deserted church is now looked after by a Hindu family.

Mahabaleshwar Club:
The club was built in 1881 and is still flourishing and well-maintained. Only members of the club can stay here. It is very popular for its well-tended roses and lovely jogging track. Christmas is grandly celebrated by loyal members every year. Fortunately, one facility is open to visitors; who can use the golf course whenever they feel like it.

Morarji Castle:
Also worth a look is this old structure. Mahatma Gandhi once lived here in 1945.

Pratapgad Fort:
This is 24 Kms, away from Mahabaleshwar. The fort was built in 166 by Moropant trimbak Pingle under the command of the Maratha rular Shivaji. It was here that the mighty General of Bijapur, Afjal Khan, was killed by Shivaji. The fort has a great view.

Arthur's Seat, 12 km from Mahabaleshwar, looks out over a sheer drop of 600 meters to the Konkan coastal strip

Mahabaleshwar:
This popular hill station was the summer capital of the Bombay presidency during the days of the Raj. It has pleasant walks and good lookouts, and the area has interesting historical connections with Shivaji.

Dudhsagar waterfall, Thoseghar waterfall, Lingmala fall, Dhobi waterfall, and Chinaman's waterfall are the important waterfalls in Maharashtra. Dudhsagar waterfall, situated at Someshwar is a favourite destination for youngsters where they come often to liven up their spirits. This is one of the best picturesque spots in Nashik. The waterfalls are 10m long and the water is milky white, so it is called Dudhsagar waterfall.

Thoseghar, near Satara is famous for its serenity, clam and quiet nature. It is a newly developing picnic spot. Thoseghar is really a wonderful place where one can enjoy the beauty of the nature. July to November is the best season to visit Thoseghar. Dark woods and a clean lake add to the beauty of this hilly region. There are also other small waterfalls here, which are about 15-20 meters high. The highest one is of around 500 meters. Satara is on the Pune - Bangalore Highway, and is about 115 km from Pune.

The Mahabaleshwar Temple and the Gokarna Temple of Mahabaleshwar attract visitors from all over India. The Gokarna Temple has the statue of Lord Mahabali, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, in a linga form which is considered the holiest of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India.

Wilson Point happens to be the highest in Mahabaleshwar. There are special observation towers from where you could enjoy the spectacular views. Sunrise is simply heavenly from the Wilson Point.

Bombay point is one of the earliest known points in Mahabaleshwar. Every evening visitors rush to the peak to get a spectacular view of the sunset.

Babington point has spectacular vistas of the Koyna valley and Chinaman's waterfall. Helen's point has lush fecund fields on the Blue Valley Road. Bombay Point remains an all time favorite among the nature watchers for its sunset. And how could you miss your echoes at Echo point. Connaught peak or the Mount Olympia is favorite spot amongst the riders that also offers picturesque view of Vena Lake and Krishna valley.

Tapola

On the south of mahabaleshwar down the tapola ghat in the koyna valley is a small town on the extreme backwaters of the triveni sangam of the koyna, solshi and the kandhati river. Locally coined, as Mini Kashmir due to the serenity and the beauty of the shivsagar lake is an excellent boating and picnic spot.

Galoni Point

1274 mtrs off the tapola road past the maharul village, awalk leads to this point above the tapola ghat giving a view of the mahabaleshwar plateau and the koyna and the blue river valleys. It is recommended to take the assistance of the local guide here.
Baghdad Point

Past the satara road on the kelghar ghats towards the villages of rengdi, it is easier to locate it as the end of the road takes us to backwaters of the kanehar dam a beautiful spectacular view of the mahabaleshwar plateau and the valleys below.
Robbers caves

Scary as it sounds is also known as shin-shin gully located on the tapola road on the ride just a few yards before the village of manghar towards tapola on leading the ride one comes to a opening in the ground which has a sudden fall leading to concealed fall in the form of a cave.

Cannought Peak

On the road to kshetra mahabaleshwar this small hillock is perhaps the second highest peak in mahabaleshwar after the Wilson point. Initially known as mount Olympia until 1890 and named after the duke of cannought who adored the beauty of the place very much and often visited this place.Like Wilson point it gives a spectacular of the mahabaleshwar plateau in all directionsand is a popular sunrise and sunset point, a popular picnic spot is also ideal for outings and forest trek along the point rides to Arthur seat point.

Lodwick point

The most exotic view of the forest, from the parking area a walk leads to the top of a summit where lies a monument erected in the memory of general lodwick erected by his son in 1870. Seen below is the serpentine Fitzgerald ghat with the pratapgadh fort in the front and at the foothills the historic village of jaoli. Makarandgadh seen to the south west, and north east ward seen the elphinstone point. Northwards from the monument is a point led by a very narrow walk between the two ravines has a shape to resemble that of an elephant's head. The nose tip was also known as the Sydney point. It is said that the sea was very clearly visible from here on very clear days.

Lamington Plateau
Off the satara road a walk from the ganesh mandir leads up to the lamigton ride on taking the first right and then the subsequent left one reaches the only second plateau after Wilson point also known as the kings thrown, said so because was often visited by the raja pratapsingh and a hierarchy of british officers. Give an encompassing forest view of al sides of mahabaleshwar. It is recommended to take the assistance of a local guide here at the vast plain below. The berry farms here are another tourist attraction.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

• Raighad Fort
• Koyna wild life sanctuary
• Satara
• Aundh
• Kanhar Dam
• Kas Lake
• Karad
• Sajjangad
• Chapal

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• MTDC guest house
• Ripon Hotel
• Dreamland Hotel
• Regal Hotel
• Fredrick Hotel.

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