12 Best Tourist Places in Igatpuri

Igatpuri, a little town, is a beautiful hill station and one of the most well-liked weekend getaways from Mumbai and Pune. Igatpuri, a village in Maharashtra's Nashik district, lies in the Western Ghats' lush vegetation. Igatpuri is the ideal location for a relaxing holiday because of its pleasant temperature, charming historic fort, waterfalls, and breathtaking mountains. At some point during the monsoon, when the thick forest there turns greener, and the waterfalls spring to life, the beauty of this location multiplies several times. Trekkers and environment lovers must visit Igatpuri. It is a hiking and trekking paradise with many forts in the area.

1. Kalsubai Peak

One of the most well-known tourist destinations in Igatpuri is Mount Kalsubai, the most delicate summit of the Sahyadri Mountains. It is well known that the peak provides fantastic views of the magnificent mountains near Bhandardara. Given that it is the best peak in the whole state, Kalsubai Peak is known as the Everest of Maharashtra. The height also allows one to trek and investigate the summit most daringly. However, the hike is lengthy and challenging, and even seasoned hikers may encounter difficulties as they attempt to reach the summit. There are also artificial steps to go to the top for those who don't want to hike.

2. Tringalwadi Fort

At the height of 3000 feet above sea level, the Tringalwadi Fort is located behind the Ghatandevi Temple. From the castle's size, a beautiful view of the Konkan and Nashik road can be had. The stronghold is said to have been constructed in the tenth century and draws hikers and trekkers.

The Tringalwadi Fort has a turban-like summit providing a panoramic view of the mountain range. Near Tringalwadi Lake, a Hanuman shrine is at the base of the hill. The Talegaon Lake was created a few kilometers distant by using the little dam.

3. Vihigaon Waterfalls

Vihigaon Waterfall, a seasonal waterfall located 13.5 kilometers from Igatpuri, is a popular weekend getaway destination from Mumbai and Nashik. It is regarded as one of the best herbal falls in Maharashtra's Vihigaon village, which is part of the Thane district.

Vihigaon is predominantly a monsoon waterfall that falls from 120 feet height into a pool. Hiking through the dark, foggy woods on the route to the waterfall allows seeing some unusual birds. During the monsoon, when every tree and foliage are at their best, you may face the risk of falling when rappelling among them. For people who want to travel and stay here for as long as possible, this destination is perfect. Do you realise that? This waterfall was featured in the Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahrukh Khan film Asoka. Overall, this area provides the most fantastic weekend getaway destination. This is one of the attractions in Igatpuri where you may explore the area and learn about Adivasi culture.

4. Vaitarna Dam

It is an artificial water reservoir and one of the largest dams in Maharashtra, making it one of the most well-known sights to view in Igatpuri. It is also known as the Upper Vaitarna Dam. It is located 30 kilometers from the town center. It was constructed in 1973 across the same-named river, close to the Saturli settlement. For certain sections of Mumbai, this dam is the primary source of water and electricity.

The dam is an ideal location for a picnic or day trip for Pune, Nashik, and Mumbai inhabitants since it offers a panoramic view of the far-reaching backwater, mysterious woodlands, and the lovely Western Ghat. Several transit options are available to get to the Vaitarna Dam, or one may easily use their vehicles, such as a bike or car.

5. Vipassana Institute of Meditation

The Dhammagiri Meditation Center, also known as the Vipassana Institute, is 2 kilometers from the Igatpuri train station. It is one of the best things to visit in Igatpuri since it is one of the world's most well-known Vipassana meditation centers. The Vipassana Institute of Meditation, established in 1976 AD by S. N. Goenka, is renowned for providing a range of curricula on Vipassana, a classic meditation technique Gautama Buddha discovered over 2500 years ago to alleviate illness.

With the Vipassana meditation, one may purify their mind and body. They begin by concentrating on their breathing, and as they continue, they begin to feel intellectual calm, fortitude, and egolessness. The best aspect of this meditation is that everyone may participate and perform, regardless of gender, caste, religion, or any other characteristic. There are several character meditation cells located throughout the Center. The school offers a 10-day training, and participants come here from a distance to participate. No student can talk to another during this class, and the outside world is completely cut off. These ten days offer the chance to focus on oneself and discover inner tranquility.

6. Bhatsa River

The Bhatsa River is another outstanding sight beside the Camel Valley viewpoint, about 5 kilometers from the Igatpuri train station. It is a popular destination for tourists passing through and around Igatpuri.

One cannot fully enjoy the grandeur of the flowing Bhatsa River from the valley due to the surrounding plains and ghats. Due to its position on the Mumbai-Nashik National Highway, travelers frequently stop here, especially during the monsoon season when the valley seems lush and green and comes to life with waterfalls all around. It is a must-see spot among the places to visit around Igatpuri in the monsoon. The virgin blanket covering the dewy mountain is a sight to treasure always. There are also several magnificent rock formations. Bhatsa River Valley is one of the well-known locations in Igatpuri because of the river, the woodlands, the dewy hills, and the bright foliage. Spend some quality time with your love ones.

7. Amruteshwar Temple

In the Igatpuri area, one of the earliest Shiva temples is Amruteshwar Temple. The Archaeological Survey of India cares for the region and is one of the most well-liked tourist attractions in Igatpuri. Many Shiva worshippers visit this temple, which was constructed by the Shilahara dynasty around 1200 years ago, to pay homage and cultivate happiness. The entire temple was built by etching a rock, and several black and purple stones were also employed in its construction. Take note of the superb murals that decorate the temple's walls and ceilings. Using a cab or a private vehicle would be wise as they can get you straight to this location. To get to the temple, visitors must walk.

8. Darna Dam

Darna Dam, which has a height of 28 meters and a length of 1634 meters, was constructed in 1916 by the British government with a catchment area of 404 square kilometers. As the name implies, it has been built as a gravity dam across the Darna River and is one of the top tourist destinations close to Igatpuri. The rainy season is the best time to visit and appreciate the pristine landscape around the Darna Dam since the lagoon fills up with water. If you're lucky, you might be able to see the water pour through the dam.

9. Camel Valley Viewpoint

One of the best viewing spots in Igatpuri is Camel Valley Viewpoint, among the top six sites to see in Igatpuri and located on the Mumbai-Agra National Highway. The undiscovered treasure of this little town is Camel Valley. From a distance, the two massive rocks resembling a camel's head gave the valley its name.

Enjoy the 360-degree vistas of the Bhatsa River Valley and the thundering waterfall that roars from a 1,000-foot mountain. Post-monsoon or during the monsoon season, the area resembles Tè Fiti, an island goddess from the Moana film. Put your faith in the valley's untouched beauty.

10. Ghatandevi Temple

The Ghatandevi temple is 5 kilometers from the Igatpuri railway station on the outskirts of the city. Ghatandevi Temple is one of Igatpuri's most prominent tourist attractions. Devotees pray to the goddess Adishakti, the Ghats' guardian, at the Ghatandevi temple.

Experience the sense of quiet and tranquillity in the air with delightful views of the Durbar, Utvad, Trimbak, and Harihar peaks in the background of the sacred sanctuary. In addition, this temple is a fantastic tourist destination close to Igatpuri for history enthusiasts and photographers.

11. Avandha Fort

The Avandha Fort is located in the Sahyadri mountain range and is around 4,300 feet tall. Its structure comprises five water reservoirs and rock-cut caverns, and you may travel to them from Girwadi and Kadwa Colony.

In recent years, the castle has begun to draw tourists and trekkers, and as a result, it is no longer a good option for families because the trekking route is challenging. Due to the numerous broken stone stairs built into the fort, climbing it is exceedingly challenging.

There are few remaining constructions on the defense, except rock-cut cisterns and steps that mount to the highest point. One of the most well-known attractions in Igatpuri is the fort, which features a vantage point from which you can overlook neighboring forts, including Patta Fort, Aad Fort, and Mhasoba Hill.

12. Karoli Ghatwat

Karoli Ghatwat makes for a beautiful monsoon walk. Witness reverse waterfalls, dense vegetation, and several waterfalls and streams. A Karoli Ghat road starts in Samrad Village and ends in Dehne Village. In the winter and summer, locals use this route for buying and selling activities. Many small waterfalls and other natural scenes can be seen along this ghat route.

Furthermore, Sandhan Valley is a water-carved valley roughly three kilometers long and 200 feet deep. It is situated in Samrad hamlet on the west side of the breathtaking Bhandardara area. Due to pouring water flooding a small space, the valley is kept closed during the monsoon season. This valley's beauty during the rainy season is a puzzle to be solved. We shall learn more about this suspenseful story to see how it might seem in a monsoon. Experience the 700-foot-tall reverse waterfall from the pinnacle, and then get a whole perspective of it as you make your way down the Karoli Ghat hike.

Conclusion

The monsoon season, which lasts from June to October, and the winter season, which lasts from November to January, are the finest times to visit Igatpuri. The neighbouring meadows in Igatpuri are at their finest during the monsoon, when a variety of vivid flowers bloom and turn the area lush. Igatpuri transforms into a veritable adventure playground in the winter. Along with seeing the numerous Igatpuri tourist attractions, one may go hiking, camping, and other enjoyable activities.