Khadakwasla Dam, Pune, Maharashtra India

Khadakwasla with the peacock bay is one of the favorite evening hang outs of puneites. On weekends the atmosphere in Khadakwasla is more like a village carnival with numerous 'chat stalls' and villagers selling the roasted 'Bhutta'. Very near the base of the Sinhagad Fort Khadakwasla is also enroute the favourite cycling routes of Pune cyclists - 'Pune to Sinhagad' and 'Pune to Panshet' and is a must stop during the ride!

Khadakwasla is a dam situated 20 km from the City of Pune in Maharashtra, India. This dam is one of the main sources of water for Pune. In the vicinity of the dam, there is a Dental Centre, a Veterinary Hospital, the well-known National Defence Academy and Central Water & Power Research Station(CWPRS). Just a few kilometres up the road, lies Sinhagad Fort and the twin dams of Panshet and Varasgaon which mainly supply water for irrigation. In 1961, the Khadakwasla Dam had to be blown, as the Panshet Dam overflowed, causing devastating floods in Pune. The dam was later rebuilt. The original dam, built in 1879 as a masonry gravity dam was the first of its kind in the world.

Just 20km away from Pune, Khadakwasla is one of the most sought after picnic spots around Pune. Away from the common din of city life when you want to spend some moments of solitude, places like Khadakwasla become the perfect destinations. Khadakwasla is a village particularly famous for a big dam which serves as the main source of water supply for the city of Pune.

Apart from the dam, you find here a Veterinary hospital and a Dental Care. The famous National Defense Academy (NDA) and the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), too are in the vicinity. One of the famous forts in Pune, Sinhagad, too is not very far from Khadakwasla. Panshet and Varasgaon, the twin dams which are the main sources for irrigation to the neighboring areas are also pretty nearby.

1961 brought disaster to the city of Pune when the Panshet dam overflowed causing devastating floods in Pune. At that time the Khadakwasla Dam had to be blown to bring the flood situation under control. However it was rebuilt later. The original dam was constructed in 1879.

You can come here any time to make your weekends blissful. But usually the rainy season is considered to be the best time to visit such places as they are in the prime of their natural beauty during the rains. Among the main tourist attractions around the dam are Kudje Village, Peacock Bay and Neelkanteshwar. Neelkanteshwar is a beautiful hill where you find a beautiful Shiva Temple. This is the place where the eyes of art lovers rest on the exquisite cement sculptures in hundreds. These include the display of some of the important scenes from Hindu Mythology and also the great saints and revered personalities from the Indian History.

Over the years, with the increase in travelling and tourism, the Sinhagad Road bordering the dam, has become one of the thickly crowded picnic spots in Pune. Oodles of people prefer a perfect weekend spent on the Sinhagad road. Those who want to please their palate have got plenty of options as there is a chowpatty providing them with variety of food items and soft drinks.

Khadakwasla is one of the most romantic places in and around Pune. This is the reason why those who are interested in wooing and winning choose Khadakwasla as their secret place of meeting. Unless you behave indecently, it is indeed a lovely place for lovers.

 If one asks about the 'Chowpati' in Pune, the Puneits will go for Khadakwasla. Khadakwasla Panshet and Varasgaon are the three major dams near Pune which provides water to entire Pune city. Khadakwasla dam was constructed in pre-independence period. The dam is big one and many people enjoy their Sunday and holiday evenings here. The amazing view of Sinhagad and Peacock Bay is again a major attraction of Khadakwasla. Village Khadakwasla is just 12 kms away from Pune to the way to Sinhagad. It has a military importance as National Defense Academy (NDA) here is very famous in Indian Military History. Truly Khadakwasla, Panshet and Varasgaon not only are water storages for Pune but also developing as new picnic spots near Pune.