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Lonavala
and Khandala |
 |
 Lonavala
or Lonavla and the adjacent
Khandala are beautiful,
charming and twin hill
stations, 622 m. above
sea level and 5 Kms a
part from each other are
situated in the Sahyadri
ranges.
They
are located around 64
km away from the city
of Pune and 96 km away
from the city Mumbai,
popular getaway from Mumbai
and Pune.
Lonavala
is also known as the 'Jewel
of the Sahyadri' is situated
in the western part of
Maharashtra.
Khandala is smaller, quieter
and calmer of the two,
though browsing through
Lonavala's bazaar could
yield some wonderfull
surprises. Both the hill
stations are known for
their scenic beauty, green
hills, deep valleys,historic
forts, lakes and waterfalls.
Tourist
attractions in Lonavala
and Khandala
The
main attraction for coming
to Lonavala is the sequence
of great caves - like
Bhoja (2nd century B.C.),
continuing with Bedsa
(1st century B.C.) and
last but not the least
Karla.
We recommend
following Popular Sightseeing
spots in Lonavala and
Khandala:
Karla
: Karla is the
site of the largest Chaitya
caves (prayer halls),
located around 12 Kms.of
India built in 80B.C.
The caves have the best-preserved
Buddhist temples in India.
The temples represent
the purity in design and
excellent temple architecture.The
interiors of the caves
have lion pillars, huge
elephant forms, carved
images of Buddha and dancing
couples. The entrance
gate is in the shape of
a "Peepul"
leaf, which is
the main entry to the
huge Chaitya grihaor hall.
The high roof is semicircular
in shape.
Bhaja
: The caves similar
to Karla caves, houses
several caves and monasteries.
The rays of the setting
sun gilds the dark interiors
of these caves, where
one can see carved images
of deities. One can also
see the impressive fort
of Lohagarh here.
Bedsa
: Situated very
close to Lonavala, it
lies north of the Pawan
Dam. From Bedsa there
is a hike up hill around
3 Kms for the caves. These
caves have huge pillars,
lions and humans figures
and ahuge Chaitya hall
with resting rooms. The
special feature of Bedsa
is anarched roof supported
by 2,000-year-old woodwork,
which provides lighting
to the entire cave.
Lonavala
Lake : It is
a picturesque spot surrounded
by natural scenery, about
1.6 km from the town.
The lake also called as
Bushi Lake is located
just half Km from the
town. The Tunguli Lake,
Pavna Lake,Valvan Lake
are other famous lakes.
The lake dries up during
the hot summer months.
Rajmachi
fort : The fort
used by the Maratha warrior
Shivaji is a must visit
place. It can be reached
only on foot as it is
surrounded by deep valleys
on three sides and a thick
forest on the fourth.
Other must visit forts
are the Manoranjan Fort,
Shrivardhan fort,Visapur
Fort, Lohagad Fort and
the Tunga Fort.
Shivaji
Park : Shivaji
Park, which was known
as a playground which
was converted into a garden
in 1956 there is statue
of Shri Shivaji Maharaj
in this park.
Ryewood
: This is a big
and beautiful garden situated
close to Lonavala. This
garden covers a lot of
ground and it is full
of majestic tall trees.
There is an old Mahadeo
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.
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.
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. It also looks
like a hood of a snake,
which is why it is also
called as "Nagfani"
(Hood of Snake). The cliff
owes its name to the Duke
of Wellington, whose famous
and ample nose it resembles.
Tiger's
Leap : This is
a special spot in this
area. If one looks at
the valley carefully from
this spot it appears as
if a tiger is leaping
into the valley, that
is why this name. It gives
a fascinating view of
the valley. There is provision
for viewing the valley
from the safe confines
of a big hole. A stone
thrown down from here
ricochets at many places
and gets destroyed here.
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.
Rajmachi
Park : On the
way to Mumbai from Lonavala
there is a beautiful garden
before the beginning of
the Ghat. It gives a spectacular
view of the surroundings.
On the East Side two towers
of the Rajmachi Fort can
be seen and at the bottom
is the huge valley. There
is a restaurant here and
a temple close by. The
Ghat begins from this
point so many people come
to enjoy the view. There
is children's park here
and there are regular
bus services from lonavala
bus station. |
