Lonavala

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Lonavala or Lonavla (Marathi: लोणावळा) is a hill station in the western state of Maharashtra in India. It is about 64 km away from the city of Pune and 96 km away from the city Mumbai. It is famous throughout India for the hard candy sweet known as Chikki and is also a major stop on the rail line connecting Mumbai and Pune. It is also an important town on the Mumbai-Pune road link. Both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the Mumbai-Pune highway pass through Lonavala.

Lonavala comes to life during the monsoon season as the countryside turns lush green with waterfalls and ponds. The population of Lonavala is around 50,000.

1 Tourist destination
2 Places of interest around Lonavla and Khandala
3 Education
4 External link

[edit] Tourist destination

Lonavala and the adjacent Khandala are beautiful twin hill stations, 622 m. above sea level, in the Sahyadri ranges that demarcate the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan coast. The hill stations sprawl over an approximate area of 38 km².

These popular holiday destinations are lush and beautiful during the monsoons. People prefer visiting Lonavala and Khandala in the rainy season. Lonavala and Khandala were discovered in 1871 by Sir Elphinstone, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency. The name Lonavla is derived from the Sanskrit lonavli, which refers to the many caves like Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves and Bedsa that are close to Lonavla. A trip to Lonavla and Khandala can be combined with sight-seeing visits of Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves and also the two fortresses, Lohagad and Visapur.

[edit] Places of interest around Lonavla and Khandala

Rajmachi Point

Rajmachi Point is located about 6.5 km from Lonavla. This point commands a magnificent view of Shivaji's famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrace) and the surrounding valley. Regular State Transport buses ply between Rajmachi Point and Lonavla from the State Transport Bus Stand. The famous Vaghjai Dari is also located here.

Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan

This is a big and beautiful garden situated in Lonavala. This garden covers a lot of ground and it is full of majestic tall trees. There is an old Shiva temple in this park. This garden has plenty of place for children to play.

Tungarli Lake

The lovely Tungarli Lake supplies water to Lonavla town. There are no buses to the site, but taxis and autorickshaws are available from Lonavla Station (3 km).

Valvan Dam

Valvan Dam has a beautiful garden at its foot, and is a popular evening spot 2 km from the town. This exquisitely-built dam supplies water to the Khopoli power station at the foothills of the Sahyadris for generating electricity. The Kundali River feeds into the dam's reservoir.

Lonavla Lake

Lonavla Lake is a picturesque spot surrounded by natural scenery, about 1.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the hot summer months.

Duke's Nose

Duke's Nose stands 12 km from Lonavla, clearly visible from the highway while driving towards Mumbai. This is the finest landmark in Khandala and is popular with hikers. The cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, whose famous and ample nose it resembles.

Tiger's Leap

Tiger's Leap is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m. The magnificent view from Tiger's Leap is enthralling. Buses are available up to I.N.S. Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be covered on foot.

Karla Caves, located near Lonavala, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C.

I.N.S.Shivaji

I.N.S.Shivaji is a Naval Engineering Training Base.

Kaivalyadham - Yoga Institute

Kaivalyadham is one of India's premier Yoga institute. It's an institute for scientific and philosophic literary research, training and therapy in YOGA. It offers short and long term courses in Yoga.

Reversing Station Point

Reversing Station Point is near Rajmachi Point, Khandala, 7 km from Lonavla. Famous for the panoramic view of the Railway line going through tunnels on the one side and the Duke's Nose on the other.

Lohagad Fort

A robust climb of about 11.2 km from Malavali Railway Station takes you to the 'Iron Fort', once a formidable battle-station of Shivaji. The fort commands an exhilarating view of the surrounding hills and hamlets.

Bhushi Dam

A fabulous Waterfall near the dam is one of the most exciting spots of Lonavla. It's a beautiful water fall between Lonavla and I.N.S.Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here. 5 km from Lonavla

Lion's Point

Scenic point midway between Bhusi Dam and Amby Valley. It is a great place to drive to.