Ever dreamt of experiencing a night sky full of fireflies? Well, now you can fulfil your dream in your very own Maharashtra! The Bhandardara Kajwa Festival is a celebration occurring in Bhandardara every year just before the monsoon season.
During this period, innumerable fireflies mark their presence in the valley. Owing to the recent popularity of Bhandardara as a popular one-day trekking and camping site from Mumbai and Nashik, the festival has also grabbed headlines.
Here’s us telling you about the exciting Kajwa Festival.
All That You Need To Know About The Bhandardara Kajwa Festival
- Spotting Fireflies In Maharashtra
- Where Is Bhandardara?
- Bhandardara Kajwa Festival: Important Details
- Camping At Bhandardara
- Other Tourist Attractions In Bhandardara
- Famous Treks In Bhandardara
- Things To Keep In Mind When Visiting The Bhandardara Kajwa Festival
Spotting Fireflies In Maharashtra
To begin with, note that Kajwa, Kajava, or Kajva is the local Marathi word for a firefly. There are plenty of forests throughout the state famous for their fireflies.
These include the likes of Kothaligad Fort, Rajmachi Fort, Purushwadi, and Lonavala, among others. The firefly festival of Bhandardara is, however, the most well-known.
Where Is Bhandardara?
Bhandardara is located in the Ahmednagar or Ahilya Nagar district of Maharashtra. It is a small village located about 165 kilometers (km) away from Mumbai.
From Nashik it is about 72 to 76 km away, while from Pune it is about 165 km away. The village sits by the Pravara River and has scenic waterfalls and dams, with the Bhandardara Dam being a famous tourist attraction.
Bhandardara is also home to Maharashtra’s tallest peak, Mt. Kalsubai, which stands at about 5,400 feet (ft) above sea level.
Located nearby are the famous Sandhan Valley, Harishchandragad, and Ratangad that are famous amongst trekkers.
Bhandardara Kajwa Festival: Important Details
Now that we know exactly where Bhandardara is, it’s time to throw some light on the famous firefly festival. It is celebrated annually during the pre-monsoon period.
This period is usually between mid-May to early or late June, just when the clouds start greying up. During this time, fireflies are visible in Bhandardara’s forests and terrains, especially post evening.
The gentle twinkling of the fireflies makes the entire landscape look like it’s straight out of a story book and is best observed with naked eyes.
While admiring them, you’ll find people insisting each other to turn off their mobile phones or other light-emitting devices. This is to ensure an uninterrupted view of these wonderful creatures of the natural world.
Bhandardara Kajwa Mahotsav is not just about spotting fireflies, but also points towards their dwindling number.
These insects, which are scientifically beetles, were once thriving in Maharashtra’s jungles and devrais (holy reserved forests).
However, rampant deforestation and increasing pollution levels have resulted in them disappearing.
Camping At Bhandardara
The Kajwa Festival at Bhandardara has recently caught the fancy of the public eye, leading to many trekkers, photographers, nature enthusiasts, researchers, and backpackers flocking to the place.
This has led to the rise of campsites in Bhandardara, and many brands offer these experiences at affordable prices. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Weekend Feels: Starting at INR 1099, they offer 1-day campsite experience by the banks of the Arthur Lake, including food, entertainment, and boat ride in the lake.
- TrekPanda: At INR 2699, TrekPanda offers a wonderful camping experience by the bonfire as well as a visit to the nearby forests to spot fireflies.
- Trekkers United: With Trekkers United, you’ll be participating in exciting games and humming to the local live Sambhal music. That too starting at just INR 2199!
During the Kajwa Mahotsav, many camp organizers slightly hike up their fee, but there are plenty of local tourist groups with their own Instagram accounts that can help you get the right deal.
Most of these packages include a visit to the firefly-filled forests, boating in the picturesque Arthur lake, bonfire, stargazing, local folk entertainment, and other such activities.
Other Tourist Attractions in Bhandardara
1. Wilson Dam
The Wilson Dam was built way back in 1910 by the British and was operational by 1926. Today it stands as one of the oldest dams in India.
Situated on the Pravara river, the base of the dam also boasts of a garden that is perfect for strolling around or hosting a family picnic.
2. Arthur Lake
How can we not mention Arthur Lake after talking about Wilson Dam? The horseshoe shaped lake acts as a reservoir for this dam. If you’re in Bhandardara, you must try boating in Arthur Lake, especially for its sunset views.
3. Umbrella Falls
This one is another popular tourist attraction near the Wilson Dam. The waterfall gets its name from the shape it holds when flowing down from the dam.
During monsoon, the waterfall sees large crowds of people who can’t get enough of the cascading beauty of the place.
4. Amruteshwar Temple
Situated about an hour’s drive away from Wilson Dam, the Amruteshwar Temple is one of the oldest in Maharashtra, with people believing it to be more than 1,200 years old.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple features intricate carvings, statues, and detailed murals on its ceilings – so don’t miss exploring them during your visit.
Unstumbled’s Tip: The village where the temple is located has very limited staying options, so we recommend returning back to your campsite or accommodation after a visit to the temple.
5. Randha Falls
It would be impossible to talk about this region without mentioning its most iconic attraction – the Randha Falls. The Pravara River takes a steep plunge into a gorge from a height of about 170 ft.
This makes it one of the most thrilling sights to witness in Maharashtra. You can climb down to the bottom of the falls, relish on some local snacks here, and visit the nearby Ghorpada Devi Temple here.
And, if you want to experience the Randha Falls in its full glory, monsoon is the best season to do so.
Famous Treks in Bhandardara
Sandhan Valley
The Sandhan Valley is one of the most popular one-day trek destinations from the nearby cities of Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.
Famously known as the ‘Valley of Shadows’, the trek here is moderately difficult. With the trail starting from the Samrad Village, trekkers must navigate through rugged terrain, deep gorges, natural caves, and narrow valleys.
November to February is the best time to visit the valley as temperatures are comparatively pleasant. This trek is barred to the public during the monsoon season because of the risk of flash floods.
Kalsubai Peak
This tallest peak of Maharashtra at 5,400 ft is famous amongst trekkers looking for a thrilling escape. The trek, starting from the Bari Village, is quite challenging and requires trekkers to be adequately trained, both physically and mentally.
They must navigate through rice fields, plateaus, and steep climbs, but the final summit is all worth it. A highlight of the trek is the small temple of Goddess Kalsubai sitting atop the peak.
We wonder who’d have made a temple atop the highest peak in Maharashtra!
Harishchandragad
At about 4,670 ft, the fort might not be as tall as Kalsubai, but offers quite a challenge to trekkers. The unique concave structure of the fort gives rise to many unusual phenomena such as vertical cloud bursts and circular rainbows.
While you’re on this trek, you’ll come across the Harishchandreshwar Temple – a temple carved out of a single monolith.
Things To Keep in Mind When Visiting The Bhandardara Kajwa Festival
- It is advisable to carry insect repellents as the place can have plenty of mosquitoes post evening.
- Carry and wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Even if you’ll be visiting during May or early June, it is advisable to carry jackets. This is because the temperatures can get really cold in the valley during the night.
- Do not harm the local flora and fauna in any way. This includes littering the place, plucking flowers, and other such condemnable activities.
- Don’t try to capture the fireflies or harm them in any way.
- While recording them on camera isn’t particularly prohibited, we recommend keeping aside your mobile devices and taking in the view through your own eyes.
Summing Up
The Kajava Mahotsav of Bhandardara is one of the most unique natural phenomena occurring in Maharashtra. With a firefly festival that occurs every year before the monsoon season, many nature enthusiasts flock to Bhandardara.
The valley, thanks to conservation efforts by local people and adventure tourists, is on its way to become one of the most prominent places to catch a glimpse of the elusive fireflies.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Bhandardara Kajwa Festival:
Q1. Where To See Fireflies In Maharashtra?
Maharashtra has plenty of places where you can catch a glimpse of fireflies. These include Naneghat, Rajmachi, Lonavala, Bhandardara, Purushwadi, and others.
Q2. Which Is The Best Time To Visit Bhandardara?
The duration from October to February is considered to be the best time to visit Bhandardara. This is because the temperature is comparatively pleasant without blistering heat or heavy downpour. However, it is also visited during the monsoon season due to the lush green scenery of the Sahyadris.
Q3. What Is The Season Of Fireflies?
Fireflies are best seen in mid- to late-summer, just before monsoon. This is because their larvae live underground in winter, develop during spring, and emerge during summer.
Q4. Why Do Fireflies Glow At Night?
Fireflies exhibit the phenomenon of bioluminescence. This phenomenon is an oxidation reaction, which results in a glowing in the abdomen region of the firefly.
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