Bhushi Dam
Lonavala, Maharashtra- Best timeJune – September
- Time needed1 – 2 hours
- EntryFree
- Good forFamilies, groups
Why visit
- Water flows over the dam’s stone steps in the monsoon
- Sit on the steps with the stream running past
- Green hills and waterfalls all around
- Hot corn, chai and pakoda stalls nearby
Good to know
- Weekends get crowded, go early in the morning
- Steps are slippery, wear shoes with grip
- Avoid on heavy-rain alert days
History
- Built in the late 1860s by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway
- Its water supplied the railway’s steam engines
- Cast-iron pipes carried water to Lonavala, Khandala and the railway’s reversing station
- Dams the Indrayani River and is still owned by Central Railway
About Bhushi Dam
Bhushi Dam is one of the most loved monsoon spots in Lonavala. When the rains arrive, the lake behind the dam fills up and the extra water spills over its wide stone steps, turning them into a long, gentle cascade. Visitors sit right on the steps and let the cool water rush past their feet, which is what makes the place so popular with families and groups of friends.
The dam sits on the Indrayani River, a short drive from Lonavala town and the railway station. The road to it passes through green hills, and during the monsoon you will spot several small waterfalls on the slopes around the dam. Mist often rolls in over the hills, so the views change through the day.
Food stalls line the approach to the dam and serve hot bhutta (roasted corn), vada pav, pakodas and cutting chai, perfect after getting wet on the steps. Lonavala’s famous chikki and fudge shops are also close by, so many visitors combine Bhushi Dam with a stop in the market.
The best time to visit is from July to September, when the water flows over the steps. Weekends and holidays can get very crowded, so try to arrive early in the morning. Outside the monsoon the dam is calm and quiet, a good spot for a peaceful walk by the lake.
Bhushi Dam is close to other popular places like Lonavala Lake, Tiger’s Leap and Lion’s Point, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing. Staying at a villa nearby lets your group visit early, before the crowds, and come back to relax by the pool.
