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Lonavala
and Khandala are two charming little hill stations on the western slopes of
the Sahyadri's,
 5-km apart, that straddle the Mumbai - Pune highway at an
altitude of 625m, quite popular as health resorts. Blessed by the nature in
bounty, the hill resorts have plethora of places of Tourist Attraction in
Lonavala & Khandala - Beautiful Hills, Deep Green Valleys, Huge Lakes,
Historic Forts, Waterfalls, etc.
Lonavala and Khandala offer breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls
during the monsoon, and the surrounding mountains of the plains spread out
to the horizon. A trip to these holiday resorts can be combined with that on
the Karla, Bhaja, and Bedsa caves, which are very near from Lonavala.
 Lonavala
is located in the western part of the state of Maharashtra. It is set
amongst the slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range. Also known as the "Jewel
of The Sahyadri", Lonavala is a place of this region where nature is present
in its entire splendor. It has become famous because of nature's gift of
beautiful valleys, hills, milky waterfalls, lush greenery, and pleasant cool
winds.
Khandala being the smaller of the two is relatively calmer and is the pride
of the Sahyadri Mountains. It is endowed with abundant natural beauty and
like Lonavala, Khandala also provides a popular gateway from the hustle and
bustle of cities of Mumbai and Pune. The lush greenery of the mountains
especially during the monsoons and the misty paths attract tourist like
honeybees here. The silver waterfalls amidst the lush greenery are extremely
magical. Lonavala's bazaar is filled with surprises. The beauty of this
place is a refreshing experience.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Situated On Mumbai-Pune Highway,
Maharashtra
Lonavala Is Known As: Jewel Of The Sahyadri
Houses: Many Lakes And Caves
Best Time To Visit: October To May
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
There are numerous lakes around Lonavala and
Khandala. Lakes such as Tugauli, Lonavala and Bhushi are worth a visit; so is
the Valvan lake, which has a beautiful dam, a garden as well as a Pisiculture
centre.
Karla & Bhaja Caves
Karla and Bhaja Caves, located in the hills at a distance of 11-km from
Lonavala, are important places to visit. These rock-cut cave temples dating
back to 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and finest examples of
Buddhist rock cut temple art in India, belonging to the Hinayana sect of
Buddhism. Adventure seekers can try their hand at rock climbing at the Duke's
Nose peak and other locations in the Karla hills, near Lonavala.
PLACES OF INTEREST
- Satayam Shivam Sundaram
- Bhushi Dam
- Lohagad Fort
- Kaivalya Dham Yoga Center
- Bhairavnath Deva Sthan
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Though one can enjoy the beauty of these places
through out the year, the best time to visit Lonavala and Khandala is from
October to May.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Air:
Nearest airport is situated in Pune at 64-km.
Rail: Lonavala is on the main railway line between Mumbai and Pune. All
express trains plying between the two cities stop here. There is also an
hourly shuttle service for Pune.
Road: Lonavala situated on the Mumbai Pune Highway. It is 104-km from
Mumbai and 64-km from Pune. The bus service between Lonavala and Pune is good.
Buses shuttle between Lonavala and Khandala. Travelers can hire bicycles on
hourly basis to explore Lonavala or to go to Khandala.
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