Ujjani Dam is located on River Bhima and is also called as the Bhima Irrigation Project. The Bhima River is a tributary of River Krishna and is an earth fill and gravity dam. Ujjani Dam is located close to Ujjani Village in the Solapur District. The Bhima River originates in Bhimashankar in the Western Ghats. The river forms the Bhima Valley and altogether, there are twenty two dams built on the river. Ujjani Dam is the last dam on the river and also the largest in the Bhima Valley.

Ujjani Dam was built for providing irrigation, generating electricity, fishery development and for providing water for drinking and industrial purposes. The construction of the dam has also provided relief to people in the neighboring towns and cities especially Pandharpur, which is a religious site for Hindu pilgrims. The dam has a huge catchment area and the backwaters of the dam spread over a large area.

The area around Ujjani Dam has been developed beautifully. There is a small townships and a beautiful bird sanctuary has been built in the area which is home to several native and migratory birds. Some of the main birds that can be seen in the bird sanctuary near Ujjani Dam include Flamingos, black winged stilt, Eurasian coot, Eurasian spoonbill, Indian spot billed duck, etc. The area of Ujaini Dam is easily accessible and is best visited during the monsoon and winter months. A visit to the area explains its much hyped beauty and importance.

Highlights of the Area

Ujjani Dam is a beautiful place located within easy reach of Solapur. The dam area has been developed beautifully and the catchment area spans over 5737 square miles. The dam is open from morning till evening for visitors. Bhigwan is the major attraction near Ujjani Dam. Bhigwan is the catchment area of the dam and is home to a bird sanctuary. Visitors can spot a wide range of native and migratory birds in the area. The area is a favorite among bird watchers and nature lovers. Photography is allowed in the area but visitors should be careful in not scaring away the birds.

It is during the month of December that migratory birds can be seen in the area. Some of the birds that can be seen in the area include Rudy Shellduck, Gulls, Flamingoes, terns, etc. The native birds that can be seen in the sanctuary include Indian Roller, Drongo, Common Hoopoe, Kingfisher, Peasant tailed Jacana, bronze tailed Jacana, Munia, Wooly necked storks, Red Adavat and Brahminy Kite.

The backwaters of Ujjani Dam at Bhigwan make an excellent environment for the birds to grow and breed. There is an island in the lake where visitors can spot different birds. Boats can be availed from Kumbharwadi and Diksal to explore the lake and reach the island. Boats can be taken on rent to see birds from a closer view. Bhigwan is often termed as the Bharatpur of Maharashtra and is an excellent destination to visit and a good view of nature.

Other Attraction at the Area

The Bhuleshwar Temple is an ancient temple located near Ujjani Dam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built during the 13th century. The temple is built from stone and is quite beautiful and interesting to visit.

Tourists can also plan to visit Pune and Solapur while on their trip to Ujjani Dam.

How to Reach

Ujjani Dam can easily be accessed from Solapur by road. From Solapur visitors can take taxis or buses to reach Ujjani Dam. The NH 9 from Solapur takes visitors to Bhigwan, which is the catchment area of Ujjani Dam.

By Train

The Solapur Railway Station is the closest major railway station to Ujjani Dam. There is a small railway station at Bhigwan where some trains departing from CST make a stop. The sleeper class fare is about Rs. 88 to 150 and the journey takes about 5-7 hours.

By Bus

Ujjani Dam is well-connected by road. It can be accessed easily from Solapur, Pune and Mumbai. The NH 9 that runs between Pune and Solapur connects to Ujjani Dam.

Best Time to Visit

Tourists can visit Ujjani Dam at any time of the year. However the area is best visited during the monsoon and winter months. The area is visited by several migratory birds during the winter months from October to January. The weather remains almost same all around the year but the winter months receive less rainfall and see low temperatures. This makes it much comfortable for the visitors.