Attractions near Lonavala and Khandala Pune

Lonavla and Khandala : khandala, Lonavala, Maharashtra, Pune

khandala Hills and Waterfall Photos Images

Place names

The name Lonavla derives from Len (Prakrit, a resting place carved from stone) and Avali (Prakrit, series). Lonavli in Prakrit is a place which has a series of such Len around it.

History

Present day Lonavla was a part of the Yadava dynasty. Later, the Mughals realized the strategic importance of the region and keep the region for a long time. The strengths of the region and Mavla warriors played an important role in the history of the Maratha and Peshwa empires. In 1871, the hill stations of Lonavala and Khandala were discovered by Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of Bombay Presidency during those times.



Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Lonavla had a population of 55 652. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Lonavla has an average rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81% and female literacy is 69%. In Lonavla, 11% of the population is 6 years old.

Tourism

Adjacent Lonavala and Khandala are twin hill stations 622 meters (2,041 feet) 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 square kilometers (15 square miles) and are the most popular tourist destinations during the monsoons. People prefer visiting Lonavla and Khandala in the rainy season. Lonavla and Khandala were discovered in 1871 by Sir Elphinstone, the Governor of the Bombay Presidency. The name Lonavla is derived from the Sanskrit lonavli (Definiton and said to be derived from pakrit), 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, and Visapur Lohagad. Another place of interest is the strong Tungi, one of the forts captured by Malik Ahmad near the village of Karjat and was known for his natural strength.

A lot of people have started buying homes which are primarily second homes or vacation homes. From Lonavala near Mumbai and is a beautiful place where anyone from Mumbai can go on a weekend and relax away from the traffic directed mainly to many developers who build homes in Lonavala. A lot of developers have built luxurious properties in Lonavla like Tata Housing Development Company which is building its luxury property Prive.

Transport

By Road

Lonavala is on the Mumbai-Pune highway and is well connected to other towns of Khopoli, Karjat, Talegaon Dabhade, etc.

By train

More information: train station Lonavala
Lonavala is well connected by train. Local trains run from Pune at intervals of two hours. It takes 2.5 hours by train from Mumbai and 1.5 hours from Pune. All trains, whether traveling from Mumbai to Pune or Pune to Mumbai, will stop at Lonavla. Trains from Mumbai will stop at Karjat and need to be added to each train an extra set of locomotives before it begins its journey through the Western Ghats to reach Lonavala.

By plane

Lonavla does not have an airport, but the season of the Indian Air Force, Troppo is situated on the way to Aamby Valley City. Aamby Valley City has its own private airport. The nearest commercial airports are Pune International Airport and 64 km from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to 104 km

Attractions near Lonavala and Khandala

View Point Rajmachi, Lonavala

Rajmachi Point

Rajmachi Point is located about 6.5 km from Lonavla. This point has a view of Shivaji's famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrakouioce) 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

It is a large garden situated in Lonavla. The garden covers a lot of ground and is full of tall trees. There is an old Shiva temple in the park. The garden has plenty of room for children to play.

Valvan Dam

Valvan Dam has a garden at its foot, and is a popular night spot 2 km from the city. The dam supplies water to the Khopoli plant in the foothills of the Sahyadris for generating electricity. The Kundali River feeds the reservoir of the dam.
Lonavala Lake
Lonavla Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, 1.6 km from the city. The lake dries up during the winter months.

Duke's Nose

Duke's Nose is 12 km from Lonavla, clearly visible from the highway while driving towards Mumbai. This landmark in Khandala is popular with hikers. The cliff owes its name to the Duke of WellingtonEmpty appointment (help), whose nose resembles broad.

Tiger Leaping

Tiger Leaping aka Tiger Point is a cliff with a vertical drop of over 650 m, giving a broad view. Buses are available to I.N.S. Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be covered on foot.
Just around tiger jump, there is a small waterfall active only during the monsoon. It serves the purpose of relaxing in the water better than Bushy dam, as the force of the fall is greater. In addition, after the brief steep descent, the fall becomes a stream with a good amount of force to go all the way to the base of Salto del Tigre. The adventurous can walk along the stream, while intermittently stepping back on land, where the water current is too strong and the decline is pronounced.

Karla Caves

Karla Caves , located near Lonavla, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around third to second century BC famous temple of Goddess Devi Ekvira is also present here.

Bhushi Dam during rainy season

Lohagad Fort

A robust climb of about 11.2 km from the train station Malavali takes you to the 'Iron Fort', once a tremendous battle Shivaji station. The fort has a view of the surrounding hills and villages.

Bhushi Dam

A waterfall near the dam is a popular spot between Lonavla and INS Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here.
Dam Bhushi www.amazingmaharashtra.com/2012/09/bhushi-dam-lonavala.html

Point Leo

Point midway between Bhushi Scenic Dam and Aamby Valley.

Tungarli Lake and Dam

This lake and Dam come to life during the Monsoon season, where youth climb the mountain top to the Dam. This dam was built during the British era and features a serene environment.

Shooting Point

Another scenic point in the town of Khandala (Bazaar peth), which provides magnificent views of the Rajmachi Fort and the valley. Also the home of the town of Santa Maria.

Wax Museum

The 'Celebrity Wax Museum', inspired by the famous Madame Tussauds in London, is just 3 km from the train station in Varsoli, near Toll Plaza is a new attraction for tourists.

Education

Some major educational institutes in Lonavla are:
Institute for Future Education Entrepreneurship and Leadership - http://www.ifeel.edu.in/
The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala
Nirvana Paragliding School
Gurukul High School (school)
Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS)
Kohinoor Kohinoor Business School-Global Campus
Sinhgad Technical Education Society
DC High School and Jr. College
Auxilium Convent School
Don Bosco School and Junior college, Lonavla
Dr. B. N. Purandare Vidyalay High School
V.P.S. HighSchool and D. P. Mehata Jr College
Kaivalyadhama Yoga Research Institute, Training and Therapy. www.kdham.com
Kendriya Vidyalaya, INS Shivaji, Lonavala
Sadhana Institute, Old Khandala Road, Lonavala
Kaivalya Vidya Niketan, Kaivalyadhama Lonavala. CBSE Board (www.kdhamschool.com)
Ryewood International School, Lonavala
Lonavla is also home to INS Shivaji (formerly HMIS Shivaji) which is the Premier Technical Training Institute of Indian Navy.