Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 17 February 2025.

 Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025.

17 February 2025.

On the 17 after lunch and a good rest, we decided to see the Dam and Shiv temple.

 Following the direction we crossed the main canal we continued straight and reached barbed wire fencing with a gate and a security fellow. He informed us that the Dam was about 100 meters from where we were standing. He wouldn't let us take our cars and we had to walk. We did not mind it as it would be only 100 meters or so. We did not realise that our estimate of 100 meters and the security guard's estimation of the same distance would be at variance.

We walked and walked still there was no sign of the damn Dam 😑

After walking for almost half a kilometre we finally reached the Dam. It was hard on Jaya who had problems walking due to injured feet.

Tawa Dam was built between 1958 and 1978. Its height is 57.91 meters and its length is 1915 meters. A huge artificial lake is created with a catchment area of 5,982.9 km² and surface area of 225 km² . The waters are used for irrigation purposes and to run two power generation plants of 6.65 MW each.

We had actually wanted to go to the top of the dam but found ourselves at the base of almost 100 feet high dam. Decided to make the best of thhe situation.

 Standing at the base the dam looked really impressive. As the water levels were low there was no overflow from the spillways. One can only imagine how terrific it would look when the spill gates are open and water is falling from the height with thunderous roar. 

After an extensive photo shoot, we slowly walked back to our cars.

Khandekars at Tawa Dam.

Khandekars at Tawa Dam.

Purohits at Tawa Dam.

Velankars at Tawa Dam.

Velankars at Tawa Dam.

Tatwawadis at Tawa Dam.

WE at Tawa Dam.

Our group photo at Tawa Dam. 

I requested the watchman,  past his middle age, to click the photo.

He said he had never taken a photo of any kind in his life.

Told him where to look and where to press.

 Showed him the result. He was thrilled to see the first ever photo taken by him in his life. 

Though it is a very poor quality photo I had no heart to delete it.

WE at Tawa Dam.

On the way back discussed where we could have gone wrong. On reaching the canal, we saw a road leading up towards the top of the bund and realised that rather than going straight after the canal we should have turned right and taken the climbing road. 

We took the climbing road 

 It reached the Shiv temple. From here there was a road leading towards the top of the dam. We considered the situation and decided not to go to the top of the dam as there was again a walk of almost a kilometre involved and Jaya's feet were killing her also it was getting dark. 

Sunset looked wonderful from there. Took a couple of photos.

From Shiv Temple returned to the resort for dinner and a well-earned Sleep.

 

 

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 17 February 2025.

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 

17 February 2025

MPT Resort Tawa.

Every group needs a leader, organiser and motivator. Our group had found one such "three-in-one" man in Prashant. He had known about this resort run by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Corporation at the Tawa Dam location. In fact that knowledge was the reason we had been thinking about this trip. He did all the spade work, which was considerable and needed a 10 to 15-kilometre drive from his home to the MPTDC 

( Madhyapradesh Tourism Development Corporation) office in Lokmat Square. He also had to get our armed forces ID details to avail 25% discount offered by MPTDC to defence personnel. Our heartfelt thanks to Prashant & Manisha for doing all the work which resulted in a very successful and enjoyable trip.

Today from Amla, we proceed to the destination about which we have been thinking for more than a year: MPT Resort Tawa.

 From Amla first, we join NH 46 and about 30 odd kilometres short of Itarasi turn right at Tawa Nagar Junction and the sign board across the road announcing "तवानगर परियोजना मे आपका स्वागत है " After travelling for about 15 kilometres you reach MPT Resort Tawa.

 The scenic beauty and Excellent location of MPT Resort Tawa make the stay, along with other plus points; quite memorable and enjoyable.

On arrival welcome with welcome drinks.

Checking-in formalities are handled smoothly and efficiently. There are two types of rooms, premium and normal. Premium rooms face the scenic view of Tawa Dam and the huge lake formed by the reservoir. A welcome fruit basket awaits one in the room. These rooms are spacious and with plenty of natural lighting and cross ventilation. Bathrooms are also spacious with an attached changing room of adequate size. The lawns and infinity pool adjoining the premier rooms slope almost 100-odd feet to the boating club jetty on the lake. The property has been very nicely landscaped with plants shrubbery and palm trees. Stairs have been built leading down to the lake to the jetty of the boat club from either end of the lawn, a platform halfway down the slope with an elevated Gazebo. On the whole a beautiful set-up. The boat Club is also operated by the staff of MTP Resort Tawa for the tourism department of MP. Eight of us went for a boat ride in a 10-seater motor boat. It cost us Rs 10,000/-. The ride is for three hours and includes a jungle trek. Breakfast, tea, coffee,soft drinks and biscuits are served during the boat ride. Most enjoyable. Recommend not to miss it. The Staff was courteous and efficient and provided prompt service with a smile. The food quality in all the meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner was good, wholesome and tasty. The menu had a good variety. The Ambience, scenic beauty, staff behaviour and comfort of the rooms made the stay very memorable and enjoyable. The icing on the cake was a 25 % discount offered to serving and retired Defence Service personnel by the MP Tourism Department. On the morrow, before leaving for Amla we did the boar ride. More about it in the next post.

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025. 16 February 2025. ( contd)

 Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025.

16 February 2025. ( contd)

After our visit of Sanpna Dam, on the way back to A F Stn Amla we stopped at Rukmani Balaji Temple near Betul.

When Priti and I visited this temple it was right by the side of TWO LANE national highway. Today one has to take a detour of about one odd kilometre from SIX LANE National Highway to reach the temple.

The temple itself has undergone lots of changes, additional structures an amusement park and renovations with gold paint on the outer walls.

Temple architecture follows classical temple design and looks beautiful.

Photos taken are enclosed.

Two photos from our 2004 trip are also included.

Tomorrow we go to MPT Resort Tawa Dam.

                                                            Rukmani Balaji Temple. 2025. 

 Representation of Mandakini River. Beautiful statue of Shiva neditating on the coils of Sesha Nag.

 

                                                             Shesh Nag Cave

 

                                                           Inside Shesh Nag Cave.

 

 

Main entrance Rukmani Balaji Temple.

This gate was not there in 2004.

Main entrance Rukmani Balaji Temple.

This gate was not there in 2004.

                                                                           

Rukmani Balaji Temple, Balajipuram. Betul in 2004.

Rukmani Balaji Temple, Balajipuram. Betul in 2004.

 

                                                              

                                       

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025.

Amla & Tawa Dam Trip. 16 to 19 February 2025.

16 February 2025.

Our group, Khandekars, Tatwawadis, Purohits and us, under the leadership of Khandekar, hereafter referred to as Prashant, had been planning a road trip to Air Force Station Amla and Tawa Dam for almost a year.

Any time a date was suggested, someone or the other had some commitment elsewhere, and the trip was aborted.

Finally, all the planetary positions fell in place, and Prashant's persistent efforts and detailed planning bore fruit.

Travel arrangements Purohits to travel in Khandekar's SUV and us in Tatwawadi's car. {Priti (wife) and Ajeet (son) have banned my long-distance drives saying I am too old (?) at 82}

We did the trip between 16 and 18 Feb 25.

As planned, on the 16th both the cars RVed at 9 :30 AM at the base of the flyover of Koradi Temple.

Reached Amla around 12 noon.

Prashant's influence was palpable in the VIP reception we got on arrival.

Had Lunch.

After some rest and we were off to see the scenic beauty of Sampan Dam about 8 km away.

Efforts have been made to make it tourist-friendly. But official apathy & neglect have taken their toll. A lot of work needs to be done to bring it up to the mark.

For obvious reasons, only a few photos on social Media.

Amla Visit.

Lunch at the Ladies' room, Officers Mess, A F Stn Amla.

Lunch at the Ladies' room, Officers Mess, A F Stn Amla.

Sanpna Dam.

Sanpna Dam.

On the way to Sanpna Dam viewpoint.

On the way to Sanpna Dam viewpoint.

Bougainvillea is in full bloom.

 On the way to Sanpna Dam viewpoint

Sanpna Dam. View from eco-tourism viewpoint.

Sanpna Dam. View from eco-tourism viewpoint.

Sanpna Dam. View from eco-tourism viewpoint.

At Sanpna Dam.
The road leads to Eco Tourism Park, viewpoint and also the Forest Department Rest House. Ideal for a couple of nights restful stay- if one can get it 😊

At Sanpna Dam.

At Sanpna Dam.

At Sanpna Dam.

At Sanpna Dam.

At Sanpna Dam.