Tansa lake: An offbeat place for solitude seekers

Hunting for another spot to ride on weekend, I stumbled on Tansa lake or Tansa dam. It is more of an offbeat place. Hardly anybody visit here. There is not much to see there. But some photos on the internet was quite interesting. What’s then, pulled up my bike on Saturday 5:30 AM in the morning and vroomed to Tansa.

Total distance of the ride comes about 200 Kilometres.

It can be very easily done in 1 day or can be stretched to two days if night camping is planned.

Mumbaikars, here is how you can reach Tansa lake:

Route 1:

Via Vajreshwari road.
Get on to NH8. From NH8 take right turn for Vajreshwari . Better ask anybody on
the highway after Vasai. When the Vajreshwari road ends take left turn from
Zidke towards Ambadi. This brings you on SH 35.

Now from here, there are two options. One, get onto Dinkarpada-Kondhale road and finally take right turn from Kambare. Tansa is straight in front of your eyes after some kilometers
J

But I strongly suggest you not to take the Dinkarpada-Kondhale route. I almost flied between the yellow dust cloud for 3 KM before making an U turn. So, instead of taking right turn from Kambare go straight and take turn from Shirish Pada. Ride straight to Tansa.

Route 2:

Via NH3. The simplest route. Ride upto Atgaon on NH3. Take left turn from Highway cross the rail under –pass, take right and ride straight to Tansa.

Let’s chase the river.

From Bhayandar we climbed the the Vasai creek bridge and rode straight on NH8 till the Vajreshwari turn. Now from here Tansa river flows almost parallel to the two lane Vajreshwari road.

In other words we were chasing the source of the river. Tansa river originates from Tansa lake which is one of the biggest lakes from which Mumbai quenches its thirst. The ride was smooth amidst the cold morning breeze and  negligible traffic.

Reached Tansa reservoir or filtration plant around 9 AM. Parked my bike outside the gate. Security seemed beefed up. Crossed the gate and asked one of the guards with gun machine ‘Can we have a look at the reservoir?’ He asked ‘Do you have government employee card or defence card?’ Nope we said.

‘We are sorry! We cannot let you in’. We tried convincing him but he didn’t agreed. While we were leaving he said ‘It could have been possible for him to let us go. But since the arrival of Modi government, everything has become strict and are monitored very closely. You people know how sensitive this place is. Whole Mumbai drinks from it.’

Although it was disappointing still, I was happy to see the change in administration. That guard suggested us a nice point close by.

That place was beautiful. Serenity of the lake was thought stopping. I felt like writing poems. But my thought was already stopped :)

After 2 peaceful hours by the lake side we started our return journey.

Long road enroute Tansa lake

Abstract

Cow busy on hill slopes

Tansa Lake 

Clear lake water

Tansa lake 

What to expect or what to do near Tansa lake:

First the place is not a tourist destination. Bumping there with an overfilled car looking for a picnic spot is not suggested, unless their expectation is set right regarding the place.

Second there isn’t any restaurant or hotel nearby not even the simple ones. So remember to take something with you.

So why or whom should pay a visit?

Do you love tranquility?

Do you love sitting by lake side and getting lost in yourself?

Do you love watching small ripples of the lake shining under the sun and hitting gently the shore?

Are you a wanderer?

Do you want to escape the city walls and spend some quality time with yourself and nature?

If yes?

Then you would love this place.

We didn’t camped but there is enough flat grass to camp on. You can take your tents, do a campfire, cook food and spend night talking to your friends.

Do let me know about the travel log or any inquire on budgetyatri[at]gmail.com or in the comment thread below.

#Places to visit near Mumbai #Weekend getaways near Mumbai #Bike trips #Tansa lake

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