Mastani Lake
Introduction
Mastani Lake, located in the Wadakinala base village of Pune city, was constructed by Bajirao Peshwa in the 1720s for his beloved second wife, Mastani Bai. Legend say that this place was Bajirao Peshwa’s favorite, and they used to spend quality time together by the lake.
the journey
It was like any typical day until I received a call from my friend Shubham. Since it was Saturday, we wanted to find a quiet place away from the busy city. We quickly looked up Mastani Lake online and decided to visit. This beautiful lake is easily visible from Dive Ghat.
Reaching Mastani Lake:
Our journey began on bikes, and after a 45-minute ride, we reached Wadaki. As we headed towards Mastani Lake, we took an offbeat route. As we traveled, we passed through Wadaki village at the base of Dive Ghat Hill. It was refreshing to see this village with its charming little houses next to Pune’s rapidly urbanizing landscape. There were villagers with fruit stands selling ‘Pomegranate’ (Anar) and ‘Sugar apple’ (Sitaphal) along the roadsides. After 10-minute rides, we finally arrived at our destination: Mastani Lake.
Entry Fee and Timing:
The lake welcomes visitors from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The only fee you’ll encounter is for parking: Rs 20 for two-wheelers and Rs 40 for four-wheelers.
Attractions at Mastani Lake
After parking our bike, we walked into the area of Mastani Lake, curious about its stories and past. Right at the start, we noticed a tunnel. Local tales mention that this tunnel connects all the way to Shaniwar Wada. It’s fascinating to think that this tunnel was built 300 years ago, long before our modern machines and tools.
We took a brief walk, descending some steps to get a better view of the tunnel’s entrance. However, going further inside wasn’t possible as it’s currently closed for everyone’s safety. The whole experience made us wonder more about the history and the people who once walked these grounds.
As we walked around, we passed by a large monument statue of Lord Ganesha. Due to the detailed carving on this statue, it seems to be telling stories from ancient times.
We continued walking and found our way to a path leading to a small Mahadev temple. The presence of this temple added to the beauty of the lake. There was no better view than from here. We were looking at the 14-acre Mastani lake and the green Dive Ghat area. All around us, the sound of nature mingled with the sound of history.
The Ganapati Temple is located near Mastani Lake. This temple has been in existence for 300 years. When you come out of the Temple, you will be amazed by the beautiful stone murti of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman in the form of a Chaptya Maruti. They have a small roof over them to protect them from rain and sunlight.
After saying ‘hi’ to Lord Ganesha, we went down to another temple, the Mastaneshwar Mahadev temple, which is down 25-30 steps. This temple is like a hidden treehouse because it is nestled among many trees. You will like the large green field outside the temple. On one side of the field, there is a large Trishul.
Don’t forget to take a look at the big wheel that is near the temple. It looks like something that a farmer might use for their fields.
If you’re planning a trip to Mastani Lake, you absolutely have to check out this Mahadev Temple. It’s really awesome!
Where to Eat and Stay Near Mastani Lake
Hungry? Right when you enter Mastani Lake, there’s a snack spot called Hotel Mastani Lake View. They have lots of good stuff to eat. If you’re looking to sleep, you won’t find a place right by the lake. But no worries! Just a short walk, about 2km away on Saswad and Wadaki Road, there are so many lodges where you can rest. Plus, if you’re into camping, you can set up your tent here. Just remember to ask for permission first from the authority!
Thinking of Visiting? Here are Nearby Attractions:
Dive Ghat: A viewpoint offering panoramic sights of Mastani Lake and Pune City.
Vitthal Murti: Located atop Dive Ghat, it’s Pune’s tallest statue of Lord Vitthal.
Malhargad Fort: Situated just 10-12km away, this fort stands out as the last one constructed during the Maratha era.
Soneri Wada: It is located in Sonori Village, which is located behind Malhargad Fort.
Saswad Area: At a 20km distance, you can explore Saswad Wada, Vateshwar Mahadev Temple, and Sangameshwar Temple.
Conclusion
Mastani Lake is not just another place to go to – it’s special because of its history, pretty views, and the peaceful feeling you get from the old temples around it. If you like nature, old stories, and quiet spots like temples, you’d love it here. Looking back, I remember the calm water, tales from long ago, beautiful views, and the quiet, special feeling from the temples. This spot shows the lovely side of India. I bet you’d enjoy it too! Until the next journey, happy travels!
If you have any questions, I’m here to help! Just drop a comment below, and I’ll guide you on exploring Mastani Lake like a local. Looking forward to assisting you on your journey!
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Beautiful and very informative block. Sandeep you did a very nice job. People are always finding new places to explore and your block definitely create an enthusiasm to visit this place which has a historical background.
Waiting for your next block.
Beautiful and very informative blog. Sandeep you did a very nice job. People are always finding new places to explore and your block definitely create an enthusiasm to visit this place which has a historical background.
Waiting for your next blog.