Beautiful Tourist Places in Tapola, Satara, Maharashtra, India
Tapola is sighted on the Indian continent in Maharashtra state in the district of Satara. The coordinates to Tapola are 17045’47” N and 73044’29” E. Tapola, also known as Minikashmir, is 1438 meter from the sea level. During the summer season the temperature ranges from 15 0C to 35 0C and in winter season the temperature ranges from 10 0C to 32 0C.
The most favorable time to tour Tapola is from October to March.
History of Tapola
In the year 1350, the place was under the rule of the Brahmin dynasty. In the 17th century, the Maratha ruler of Chandarao More family overthrew the then Brahmin ruler. Later the great Maratha ruler Shivaji administered the entire region. He constructed forts in and around the region. The year 1819, saw the victory of East India Company throughout the area and nearby region.
The year 1947, witnessed the end of the British Raj and marked the beginning of Indian Independence. Tapola is now under the administration of the Satara district.
People & Culture of Tapola
From the medieval times till the present day, the influence of Maratha culture still prevails in Tapola. The local language of Tapola is Marathi. However one can expect to come across people speaking Hindi and English languages. The major population of Tapola follows Hinduism religion while some worship Sikhism, Buddhism and Christianity in Tapola. Every year different festivals are celebrated in a grand way across Tapola with Ganesh Chathurthi, Holi, Krishna Ashtami and Diwali being the biggest of all.
Food and Shopping Tapola
All types of lip smacking food ranging from continental to non-continental, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian are available in Tapola. There are a plenty of shops selling various artifacts, colorful garments with exquisite designs and other consumer products at a reasonable price.
Tourist Places in Tapola
- Kas Pathar
This place offers an amazing display of exotic plants and vibrant colored flowers. There is a lake by the name Kas Lake which offers a beautiful picturesque landscape.
- Shivsagar Lake
This Lake is another most favorite attraction among tourist destinations in Tapola. The lake flows at a length of 95km. The Koyna Dam is built on this Lake.
- Vasota and Jaygad Forts
Created by one of the Kings of Shilahar Dynasty, was also under the administration of the great Maratha ruler, Shivaji. This fort, Vasota exists within the Wildlife Sanctuary at Konya close to the Lake Shivsagar. Formerly known as Vyaghragad fort, it now lays abandon. Many animals prowl around this fort.
Means of Commutation to Tapola
Tapola is well accessed from the rest of the places in India through roadways, railways and airway. Travelers can make use of the public bus service or hire taxi to travel within Tapola. The distance of Tapola from some of the cities in Maharashtra and neighboring states are given below
- Pune is located at a distance of 152 km
- Mumbai is located at a distance of 302 km
- Kolhapur is located at a distance of 202 km
- Nagpur is located at a distance of 1101 km
- Ahamedabad is located at a distance of 878 km
- Bangalore is located at a distance of 812 km
Wathar railway station is located at a distance of 90km from Tapola. Pune railway station is located at a distance of 150km from Tapola. There are regular trains from Mumbai railway station to Pune station.
Tapola is also connected to the rest of the world via airways. The closest airport to Tapola is at Pune which is located at a distance of 145 km. Mumbai airport is another airport in the Maharashtra state which is at a distance of 275 km from Tapola.
Accommodation Options at Tapola
There are four star and three star hotels in Tapola providing accommodations to tourist with world class amenities at a starting price of Rs. 3000/- per day. There are decent budget hotels where one can enjoy a memorable stay at Tapola for Rs. 450/- per day. Names of hotels in Tapola are listed below
- Koyna Agro Tourism
- Hotel Shivneri
- Tapola Lake Resort
- Lake View Sagar
- Brightland Holiday Village
- Surya Retreat
- Hotel Saket Plaza
- The Dhan Hills
- Hotel Anandvan Bhuvan
- Hotel Rajesh
- Fountain Hotel
- Bharat Hotel
- Hotel Treetop
- Grand Resort
- Pratap Heritage