Katraj Lake

The Entrance

           A place to keep yourself fit, a place to chill out, a place to do your work, a place for entertainment. Situated on the Katraj-Kondhwa road opposite Utkarsh Society this is The Katraj Lake. A complete package for everything and everyone. 

     The old Katraj Lake was built by the Peshwas in the olden days. It was used as a water supply body which along with some other bodies supplied water to the city. However, I ain't talking about the old Katraj Lake here. I am talking about the new one. Pune Municipal Corporation opened this lake for all citizens.

the statue of Shivaji Maharaj

        The lake is a small water body with a statue of Shivaji Maharaj right in the centre of the lake that will make anyone feel proud. It has a jogging track around it which is covered with huge trees from both the sides. No matter what the weather is the track is always cold and fresh. The track however is open in the morning and evening & is closed from 11 am to 4 pm and 9 pm to 4 am. But there are other things to keep people visiting the lake again and again.

jogging track during day time

         Here the morning starts with people coming to keep themselves fit. I woke up early to see the morning view. Every one from small to old dressed up in their jogging suits & sports shoes. There is a bridge on the right side as we enter the lake. I stood there and fed some pav to the fishes in the lake along with some other people. As I stood there feeding the fishes I could see people doing pranayam and stretching. I somehow felt good about it. Why you ask. There's this thing called 'wi fi katta' (a place where you are provided with free wifi) and despite of the free wi fi people were exercising and not sitting with their heads in their phones. People are becoming serious about fitness I must say.

people engaged in pranayams

healthy juice seller

            Talking about fitness there was a lady selling these healthy juices right at the entrance of the jogging track. I then entered the track. Everyone I could see was either jogging or running or walking or doing some stretches and I was there clicking pictures. I did feel a bit weird but then I just let go. 

Patil Wada

          After walking a few meters there is a place called 'Patil Wada' It is a very small version of a wada to give people a glimpse of what a wada actually is. Besides the wada is an open gym. Yes you heard that right. An open gym where anyone above 10 years can go and exercise. Much to my surprise the gym was filled with young and old people. Outside were people playing Frisbee and some engaged in yoga.

open gym at day time

         The Katraj Lake is a place for all the fitness freak in the morning you can say. Or maybe I should say anyone who comes to the Katraj Lake in the morning will turn into a fitness freak. Looking at all the people seriously getting into fitness will make anyone think about getting fit.

wi-fi katta

           When the jogging track is closed there a many people sitting on the wi fi katta. Some engaged in listening to music some in watching videos some chatting and some working. You can do anything when you have free wi fi, right?

Fulrani

          The Katraj Lake which looks like a place for everyone fit in the morning turns into a complete entertainment package in the evening. From fulrani to musical fountain its a complete package of entertainment for everyone big or small.

                  

ladies selling toys & eatables

         When I entered the Katraj Lake in the evening I saw some people selling toys and eatables at the entrance. Youngsters at the wi fi katta with their gangs and old people with their groups. Everyone chilling out, talking and having fun. People coming in with families & friends. Some going to the fulrani and some to the jogging track. The jogging track opens at 4pm, however after 7 you can see families and friends entering the track not for jogging but to get a piece of entertainment. To see the main attraction of the place, The Musical Fountain. However, you can't stop someone who is serious about fitness. There were many people in the open gym keeping themselves fit. There is also a small park for the children.

Open Gym

Children Park

           The musical fountain starts at around 7:45pm and lasts for about 15 mins. The fountain is a different kind of a concept which I hadn't seen before. The water dances up & down and then there is this main fountain which acts as a screen on which lasers & video songs are displayed. Two men sail in a small boat and go to what I call the control room and start the show. But before that they play the Bombay Theme and a song in praise of Shivaji Maharaj to keep the people engaged. Laser light dancing and video songs on the screen. Everyone from small to big enjoys it.

Musical Fountain

        The fountains ends at around 8 pm. But the track is open till 9 pm. So people have time to chill there for an hour. 

the jogging track during the evening

         Though it is a place for everyone including small, big, single, committed, the PMC has made it a point that the 'couples' don't misuse the place. There are signboards everywhere stating directly to the couples and they should not show any indecent behavior. 

        A place which has got something for everyone from small to old. This is The Katraj Lake from my point of view!

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