bhigwan tourism

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Bhigwan, Pune Overview

Also known as “Bharatpur of Maharashtra”, Bhigwan is located near Pune. It is a perfect weekend getaway for bird and animal lovers. This place will let you relax and enjoy some peaceful time away from the hustle bustle of the city. Bhigwan has three wildlife sanctuaries and you will be able to spot a myriad variety of flora and fauna. The beauty of this place is simply mesmerizing. After visiting Bhigwan you would surely be able to differentiate between the different kinds of birds. Bhigwan is a serene and quiet place that must be visited to rejuvenate your body and soul.

Read More on Bhigwan

Best time to visit bhigwan, tips for visiting bhigwan, places to visit, 1. ujani lake, 2. mayureshwar wildlife sanctuary.

3. Bhigwan Wildlife Sanctuary

4. lord shiva temple, 5. khumbhargaon bird sanctuary, things to do, bird photography, bird watching, flora and fauna, how to reach bhigwan, top hotel collections.

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The Guide: The Backwater of Bhigwan

A flamboyance of flamingos is busy feeding in the shallows. The birds stand on lanky legs; their necks are bent low to the water, beaks upside-down. It is a scattered flock of 16 birds. While some are adults with white and orange feathers, others are young birds with a cream and brown coat. When the water levels are right, many more of these birds are found here. They gather in their hundreds, sometimes thousands.

In a way, the flamingo is the “tiger” of Bhigwan. People come here especially for this bird, says my guide Ajinath Dhumal. “When I show them some other bird like the painted stork, they insist on seeing the flamingo.” It’s like going on a jungle safari to see the tiger, Dhumal quips.

A quaint fishing town in rural Maharashtra, Bhigwan sits along the backwater of the River Bhima. This backwater, which is the reservoir of Ujani Dam built downstream on the river, is known colloquially as Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary. The human-made wetland and its surrounding mix of grasslands and farms are home to nearly 300 species of migratory and year-round birds. The greater flamingo, like many migratory birds, arrives here in time for winter. It spends the season feasting on plankton, giving it the characteristic multihued appearance.

On a narrow strip of land behind the flamingos, a mixed flock of brown-headed and Pallas’s gulls is resting peacefully. A marsh harrier swoops in from nowhere and sends the whole flock into flight. The harrier fails to make a catch and leaves in haste. But the gulls keep belting out their cries and whirling overhead long after the threat has disappeared.

Meanwhile, in the foreground flamingos start stomping the mud to expose hidden prey. Two of them break into a quarrel. Another balances itself on a single stilt and rests its head in its long neck, keeping an eye on the boats and the people in them.

As we row away from the flamingos, our guide spots a peregrine and points in its direction. I squint against the setting sun, but all I can see is a large gull. “What is that?” I ask, puzzled. He says “peregrine falcon” and points at it again. This time I see it — a stately bird and the fastest on the planet. It is perched farther down from the gull. With its formidable talons and fierce look of a predator, this was one bird that could beat the greater flamingo for the title “tiger of Bhigwan”.

EXPLORE Sprawled across 357 square kilometres, the backwater has several designated birdwatching points where you can hire a boat. These can be accessed through the villages of Diksal and Kumbhargaon, both within 10 km of Bhigwan. A boat safari on the backwater is the best way to see the wetland birds in their element. But there are also terrestrial birds and other wildlife to explore in and around the villages.

WILDLIFE Birds: The wetland sees local and long-distance migrants such as the greater flamingo, bar-headed goose, and northern shoveler every winter. Occasionally, rare birds such as the Pacific golden plover are also spotted here.

With a bountiful supply of fish and small birds, the wetland is the perfect habitat for raptors such as the osprey, peregrine falcon, western marsh harrier, and greater spotted eagle. You may see a peregrine dive at breakneck speed to catch a black-winged stilt, or an osprey hunt a fish.

In the grasslands and farms nearby, you will find the Indian courser, chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, blue-cheeked bee-eater, grey francolin, woolly-necked stork, and demoiselle crane.

The resident birds of the area, seen almost throughout the year, are the great thick-knee, little pratincole, pheasant-tailed jacana, Eurasian spoonbill, painted stork, and greater painted-snipe.

Reptiles: The Indian chameleon is often seen here. After dark, creatures of the night such as the leopard gecko and termite hill gecko are out and about to have their fill of insects. Although rare, common sand boa, rat snake, and Russell’s viper are also found in Bhigwan.

Mammals: Open areas around the villages host mammals such as the black-naped hare, jungle cat, golden jackal, and Indian grey mongoose. Asian palm civet can also be spotted, especially at night.

Amphibians, arthropods and fish: While largely unnoticed, frogs, toads, damselflies, dragonflies, beetles, and scorpions also inhabit the area. A study published by the Zoological Survey of India in 2002 reported 54 species of fish.

SEASON December to March is when migratory bird numbers peak, but there are plenty of resident birds to be seen outside of the peak season. Summers can be particularly hot and the water level goes down, so it is not an ideal time to visit.

GETTING THERE Sitting along the Pune-Solapur highway, Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary is a two-hour drive (100 km) from Pune, which has the nearest airport. There are plenty of restaurants along the way. Buses and trains also ply from Pune to Bhigwan. From there, you can hire an auto-rickshaw or arrange for a pickup from your hotel or homestay, as local transport can be patchy.

STAY A few budget homestays are conveniently located close to the water. There are also budget hotels (Rs 1,500-4,000) within a 10-km radius of the birdwatching points, but they are suitable for those travelling by their own vehicle.

Agnipankh Flamingo Point is a homestay in the village of Kumbhargaon. Rooms with attached baths cost Rs 900 per night, and without baths Rs 600 per night. Alternatively, camp out in a tent for Rs 500 per night (for two). Home-cooked meals are available at added cost. To book your stay, contact Sandip Nagare at 9960610615 or Nitin Nagare at 9767571734.

Kranti Flamingo Point is another homestay and campsite in Kumbhargaon. Each room can accommodate up to four people for Rs 900 and a tent for two costs Rs 700 per night. Meals are available on request. (www.krantiflamingopoint.com; contact Dattatreya Nagare +91 8087767691 or Nitin Dole +91 9325051019).

SAFARI Boat: The homestays can arrange boat safaris (between 6 am and 6.30 pm; 1.5 hr safari costs Rs 1,000; 2-3 hr safari costs Rs 2,000 per boat including the guide’s fee). Boats can take six, plus the birdwatching guide who also steers the boat.

Walking: Night walking tours are available and last 1-1.5 hours. You can spot reptiles like geckos and nocturnal birds such as nightjars. A guided walking tour costs Rs 500 including the guide’s fee.

TIPS: • On holidays and weekends there is higher footfall. Weekdays are quieter and preferable. • Homestays are modest with basic amenities. Pack your own toiletries and mosquito repellent. • Wear light-coloured clothes and a pair of sturdy shoes. • Carry a pair of binoculars or a camera with telephoto lens that allows close-up views of wildlife from a distance. • The afternoon light can be harsh even during winter, so carry hat, sunglasses, and water on the safari. • Do not feed or encourage feeding of wild birds to attract them.

About the contributor

Richa Malhotra

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Bhigwan – A Paradise Of Migratory Birds

Bird watching is a hobby which is becoming more and more popular nowadays. It’s fun to watch birds in their natural habitat and know about their names, their migratory patterns, their eating habits, etc. With the same curiosity, we headed towards Bhigwan – A paradise Of Migratory Birds , for our first bird-watching trip.

About Bhigwan

Bhigwan, also know as mini Bharatpur is a small town situated along the backwater of Ujani Dam. Every year thousands of migratory birds migrate to Bhigwan for food, breeding, and nesting which has made Bhigwan famous for birdwatching, especially flamingos and wildlife photography. Bhigwan is located on the Pune-Solapur Highway around 105 km from Pune (approximately 2 hours) making it a perfect one-day tourist destination near Pune. During the month of October to March Bhigwan is packed with bird lovers from all over Maharashtra.

With the primary aim of irrigating the agricultural land, Ujjani dam was built on the Bhima river (A tributary of Krishna) in 1980. The reservoir created by the Ujjani dam is one of the largest wetlands in Asia. Since then, every year, a larger number of migratory birds from different counties are attracted towards this backwater flowing along the village of Diksal and Kumbhargaon and hence most of the bird watching happens along these two places i.e. Diksal and Kumbargaon.

Birds of Bhigwan

We decided to go to Kumbargaon for bird watching since this village has many locals who are professional trained for bird watching. The best time for bird watching is sunrise and sunset. We had contacted Shri Sandeep Nagare (9960610615) a day before to plan our itinerary. He informed us that the first boat for bird watching starts around 6.00 a.m. Hence we started around 5.30 a.m. from Baramati. It took us approximately 55 minutes to reach Kumbargaon. However, we could not take the first boat. The chilling wind and the rising sun further increased our excitement for bird watching. Once we got into the boat we were thrilled with the amazing sight of birds.

The first bird which caught our attention was the brown-headed Gull sitting on a tube-like surface. Thanks to our boat driver who told us the name of the bird. Next, we got to see many amazing birds. A few of the birds were surface diving, skimming the surface, spearing, and stealing the fish. Our boat driver told us amazing facts about a few special birds. For example, he showed us the Bar-Tailed Godwit and told us that this particular visitor in India is said to perform the largest nonstop migration to India. During this journey, it does not stop even for feeding.

After almost 40 minutes of drive, the boat driver stopped the boat where the water got shallow. He got down from the boat and brought some dead fishes from the nearby fisherman. Then he started throwing these fishes in the water. This attracted a group of painted stock. The site of these stock was a pleasure for the eyes. The two hours of boat ride was a mesmerizing experience. Don’t forget to check some stunning photographs of these birds in my post ‘ Birds At Bhigwan ’. Mentioned below is a list of birds we saw at Bhigwan.

• Brown Headed Gull
• Glossy Ibis
• Ruddy Shelduck (Brahminy Duck)
• Bar tailed Godwit
• Bar Headed Gull
• Indian spot billed Duck
• Indian Cormorant
• Painted Stock
• Black Winged Stilt

The only bird we could not see was Flamingoes. The boat driver told us that due to the extended monsoon this year there are very few flamingoes. Also, due to the movement of other boats before us, the birds might have flown. He further added that the count of flamingoes will increase in the coming months. Hopefully, during our next visit to Bhigwan, we might get to see the mighty Flamingoes.

Insider Tips

1. how to reach.

• By road : The best way to reach Bhigwan is via road. Bhigwan is about 102 km from Pune. From Pune take Pune Solapur highway –> Hadapsar- Yavat–> Choufula –>Kurkumbh –> Bhigwan. At Bhigwan bird watching happens at two places i.e. Diksal and Kumbargaon. To reach Diksal you have to take left once you reach Bhigwan. The “bird watching” place is around 5-6 km. inwards. You can ask for “Juna Phul” (Old Bridge). At end of the bridge, where fishermen have set up a small roadside village. From here, one can rent a small boat for bird watching. To reach Kumbargaon, once you reach Bhigwan, cross the town and travel along Solapur highway for about 9 km. Then take left and travel for 2 km on a rough road to reach Kumbargaon bird sanctuary. Many State transport (ST) buses also go to Bhigwan. Take a bus which goes to Solapur, These buses halt at Bhigwan bus depo. From here you can hire an auto.
• By rail: There are many trains from Mumbai and Pune to Bhigwan. The fastest train from Pune is Siddheshwar SF Express which takes around 1 hour and 39 minutes to reach Bhigwan. At Bhigwan station you can hire an auto.

2. Best time to visit

The best time to visit Bhigwan is from October to March. The best time for bird watching is sunrise and sunset. So plan you’re itinerary accordingly. If you are planning for bird watching at the time of sunrise then try to take the first boat. During other times due to the continuous movement of boats in the water, many birds fly off. Also, it becomes tiring for bird watching, due to the heat during the day.

Minimum Rs. 1500/day/person (inclusive of food, travel cost, and boat ride). The boat ride cost is around Rs. 800 to Rs. 1000 per boat.

4. Places to visit nearby

• The Moreshwar temple of Lord Ganesha is about 60 k.m from Bhigwan. It happens to be the first Ganesha among the Ashta Vinayak and hence is a popular pilgrimage site. Here is the link to my blog post on Morgaon Asthavinayak. https://inmyi.com/travel/morgaon-mayureshwar-ganpati-temple-the-1st-and-most-important-ashtavinayak
• Mayureshwar Wildlife sanctuary – the smallest wildlife sanctuary is around 55 k.m from Bhigwan. Mentioned below is the link to this tiny sanctuary which is full of surprises. https://inmyi.com/travel/mayureshwar-wildlife-sanctuary
• Siddhivinayaka Temple, Siddhatek of lord Ganapati is around 35 km from Bhigwan. It is the second Ganesha among the Ashta Vinayak and hence is a popular pilgrimage site. Here, is a link to my blog on Siddhi-Vinayaka Temple, Siddhatek. https://inmyi.com/travel/siddhivinayak-temple-siddhatek-ashtavinayak-ganpati
• Jejuri  – The golden temple of Maharashtra  is about k.m from Bhigwan. Jejuri is a place of religious and historic importance and is famous for it Khandoba temple. Lord Khandoba is considered as kuladevat (family god) of the entire Maharashtra and hence Jejuri is a popular pilgrimage site. Don’t forget to check my blog post on Jejuri.  https://inmyi.com/travel/jejuri-golden-temple-of-maharashtra
• Bhuleshwar Temple

In nutshell

Bhigwan – A Paradise Of Migratory Birds, is one of the few unexplored places near Mumbai and Pune, which takes you close to nature where you get to breathe fresh air while watching birds. Once you enter Bhigwan you get to see the birds in their natural habitat chirping everywhere. It is an awesome one-day tourist spot near Pune which helps you forget your tiredness and make you feel energetic.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your binoculars, camera, and hat, and head towards Bhigwan for a visual treat of these migratory birds. Don’t forget to check some stunning photographs of these birds in my post ‘ Birds At Bhigwan ’. Here is a video on Birds at Bhigwan.

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Birding in Bhigwan, Maharashtra: When to visit and what to expect

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL TRENDS , MAHARASHTRA / Created : Aug 25, 2024, 20:30 IST

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Located on the borders of Ahmednagar, Pune, and Solapur, Bhigwan is a prime spot for birdwatching due to its rich biodiversity. With over 300 bird species recorded, including the Greater Flamingo, it's best visited from late Novem … Read more

Located on the borders of Ahmednagar, Pune, and Solapur, Bhigwan is a prime spot for birdwatching due to its rich biodiversity. With over 300 bird species recorded, including the Greater Flamingo, it's best visited from late November to early March. Bhigwan is easily reachable from Pune, making it an ideal day trip for bird enthusiasts. Read less

World’s 7 wildest safari destinations for ‘Big Five’ spotting

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What makes Bhigwan a great birding destination?

Best time to visit Bhigwan for birding

What to expect.

How to reach Bhigwan?

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Located on the borders of Ahmednagar, Pune, and Solapur, Bhigwan is a prime spot for birdwatching due to its rich biodiversity. With over 300 bird species recorded, including the Greater Flamingo, it'...

Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary

If you are a nature lover and want to see Flamingoes with all their grace and beauty, then a visit to Bhigwan should be on top of your list. It is a small town located in central Maharashtra and is easily accessible from Pune , Baramati , and Ahmednagar . Wetlands created because of the Ujani dam on the Bhima river here have created a conducive habitat for both residents as well as migratory birds. Bhigwan is also referred to as the Bharatpur of Maharashtra- a bird watchers’ paradise. The best time to visit Bhigwan is between the months of December and March when the water levels are shallow and ideal for migratory birds.

Transportation

There are two spots where one can see the aquatic birds- Diksal area and the Kumbhargaon area. Although state transport buses are available it’s best that you travel by your own vehicle as the bird-watching spots are away from the main road. In fact, one needs to take the interior roads and drive some 5-6 kms to the local village. From there the local fisherman takes you on a boat ride over the backwaters. The boat rides are scheduled in two shifts early morning around sunrise and in the late afternoon. These are the best times for bird watching for two reasons. Firstly, maximum bird sightings are possible, and secondly is the golden hour when one gets the best lighting conditions for photography.

So, in February three years ago we set off in the afternoon from Pune to see these avian beauties. Since my husband frequently visits Bhigwan, he contacts Sandip Nagare a local from Agnipankha who organizes boat trips, and he is assured that we would get to see the flamingoes in large numbers. We take the Pune Solapur highway and with some help from the GPS and locals, we reach Kumbhargoan at the designated point.

Savouring Fish Thali

Since it’s late afternoon we are hungry and decide to grab some local food for lunch. The fish thali here with fried fish, rasa/gravy, jawar bhakri and rice is simply irresistible. Bhigwan is also famous for Tilapia fish fry. After the delicious meal, we just while away some time as the boats are getting ready to ferry us. Each boat can accommodate up to six people. Since my husband is a wildlife photographer, we decide to hire a private boat for our family so that we can stop as and when a photo opportunity arises.

More than 300 species of birds have been spotted here we are told. The Greater Flamingoes are migratory birds that fly from Kutch, Europe, West Africa and arrive in the winters to Bhigwan. If the rainfall has been good, then the flamingoes are less likely to be seen as the water levels submerge the mudflats on which they like to nest. Shallow waters are more suited as the flamingoes can then easily skim the waters and find fish, shrimp, and plankton. Another possibility is that due to abundant rains the flamingoes are likely to get distributed over other areas like Kutch, Sewri, New Mumbai and Jaikwadi in Aurangabad.

Graceful Beauties

We wear life jackets and climb onto the boats and the boatman rows towards the several small islets on which we can see a variety of birds. A flamboyance of flamingoes wades in the water gracefully as they search for prey of shrimps and planktons. The carotenoid pigment in their diets is responsible for giving them a pink, red colour. Some of these graceful birds stand on one leg their eyes shut as if they are taking a nap. This one-legged stance many believe is their way of conserving energy. Suddenly a large number of them fly in the sky creating a wave of pink and white with black streaks in the sky. Flamingoes have a peculiar camaraderie in that if one bends their neck in search of prey others will follow suit. Their poses and movements are more or less synchronous. We see a family of mom, dad with juveniles in between them flying in the sky.

Painted Storks

They are another black and white beauty with long pointed yellow bills with which they catch fish as they tread in the waters. Like a ballet dancer with outstretched arms, they occasionally spread their black and white wings to reveal a dash of pink plumage on their underside. On one of the earlier trips, my husband and kids recalled having seen a colony of them on trees near the backwaters.

Aquatic Birds

As we go further, we see Stilts, Glossy Ibises, Herons, Egrets, Sandpipers, Terns and Asian Openbills wade through the water. The Gulls and Ducks honk noisily as they seem to be enjoying their party. The jet black Indian and Little cormorants are perched on lower branches of shrubs. A colony of them is basking in the sun on an islet. My husband excitedly shares tidbits about the birds and is in a frenzy trying to capture them in his lens.

Migratory Birds

We notice some migratory birds like Eurasian Spoonbill with long black spoon-shaped beaks and creamy white bodies. Bar-headed Geese, which get their name from two black bars on their white heads, search for some grains and worms on an islet. We spot the shy Garganey ducks and Rudy Shelducks which have flown in from Europe. Common Coots and Black-tailed Godwits are all busy but peacefully searching for food.  Northern Shovellers, Eurasian Wigeons are other migratory birds that we see.

Before we realize it is close to sunset and the sky is a flaming orange as the sun is now at the horizon ready to set. The stage is now set to capture the silhouettes of flamingoes with the backdrop of the setting sun. The reflection of the sun in the backwaters with a group of S-shaped flamingoes is a delight for us bird lovers. As the sun sets it is time for us to head back and we are more than happy to have witnessed the beautiful saga of birds.

Being in the Present Moment

Bird watching is a great opportunity to not just observe birds and nature, but it also roots you in the present moment. It compels you to look beyond oneself and connect with the Divine consciousness that we are all a part of. A realization dawns of how insignificant we are in the larger cosmos. At such times life, its purpose beyond the routine mundane existence comes to the forefront. It brings about a certain clarity in terms of perspective and energizes you to face life and its challenges.

 In addition to the aquatic birds, there are treks where you may want to explore the terrestrial birds and other wildlife flora and fauna. Some of the land birds observed are Peregine Falcons, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Spotted Eagles, Brahminy Kites, Wagtails, Kingfishers, Green bee-eaters, Common Hoopoe and so on. Foxes and Wolves have also been spotted here.

Bhuleshwar Temple

If you are staying overnight or have enough time after birding, then about an hour’s drive from Bhigwan there is an 8th-century Shiva temple – the Bhuleshwar Temple one can visit.

What to expect at Bhigwan :

March 2022 visit to bhigwan, other birding blogs.

• Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary : https://somanytraveltales.com/bharatpur-bird-sanctuary/             
• Banni Grassland , Kutch: https://somanytraveltales.com/bird-watching-in-kutch/  
• Nalsarovar , Gujarat: https://somanytraveltales.com/lothal-and-nalsarovar-gems-of-gujarat/
• Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary , Pune: https://somanytraveltales.com/dr-salim-ali-bird-sanctuary/ 
• Lockdown Window Birding : https://somanytraveltales.com/lockdown-window-birding/

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10 thoughts on “bhigwan bird sanctuary”.

Thank you Shameera and Rafiq for taking us along this boat ride with the family. Love the description and uff!!! the photography, just fabulous. What an eye for detail. Thank you again ??

Thank you Aruna! Your comments mean a lot!

Superb article, wonderfully captures the essence of Bhigwan and the paradise it is for birds and treat for bird lovers. Breathtaking pics by Rafiq.

Thank you Purnima!

Amazing and breathtaking pictures! This place is a hidden gem. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips on travelling to Bhigwan, it makes it easier for me to plan this trip to Bhigwan.

Thanks, Rukshana. You’re right Bhigwan is a hidden jewel. We must plan a visit when you’re here.

Very informative blog and beautiful captures. Added Bhigwan to my list of places to travel. Thank you.

Thanks Sam. Happy you liked the blog and pictures.

Nicely narrated with photos.

Thanks Gautam..

Comments are closed.