Very popular hill stations, known for their resplendent green beauty during
rains, these twin hill stations offer romantic hills, small waterfalls and the
works… A place very easily reachable by train or by road, 70 km from Pune,
it's just about an hour-and-a-half long drive. A number of hotels, motels
and resorts assure you comfortable stay. Located at a four hours trek is the
dreamy hamlet of Rajmachi from where the twin forts of Manoranjan and Shrivardhan
are worth seeing!
Besides,
a quick weekend getaway to Lonavala is
perfect to de-stress you out with must
visits to the Lonavala Lake, Bushy Dam,
Tiger's Leap, Ryewood Park,Tungarli Dam,
Barometer Hill.
Also what makes the place famous is the famous
Chikki (made of jaggery and groundnuts) and
also the chocolate fudge! A must visit in the
rainy seasons; some of the recommended hotels
include
Duke's Retreat at Khandala and Fariyas at Lonavala!
In recent
years the heavy flow of weekenders and
conference groups from Pune has changed
the demography of the area dramatically.
Khandala gives a good view of the rainwater
fed waterfalls while Lonavla acts as the base
for the Karla & Bhaja
Caves. These caves date back
to the 2nd century B.C and are one of the finest
examples of rock temples by the Hinayana sect
in India.
The Karla caves were carved
by the monks and the artisans who tried to imitate the carvings on wood. The
light filters inwards through the Sun window. A wooden umbrella protects the
Dagoba or representation of Buddha. Kneeling elephants that have seated figures
top the pillars. These 37 pillars are the circumambulatory aisles. Teak beams
rib the ceiling. Out side the cave a stambha with four back-to-back Lions stands.
This pillar is associated with Ashoka and is believed to have been kept there
later. The Bhaja caves are older and peaceful than the Karla caves. Out of the
18 Bhaja caves ten are viharas and one is an open chaitya.
Getting There:
By Road : Lonavala is on the Mumbai-Pune
Highway,104 kms, Pune-Lonavala, 66 Kms By air : Nearest airport is
Pune, 66 kms By Rail : Lonavala is on the
Mumbai Pune Rail line of the central Railway.
