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BEAUTY OF LONAVALA & GENERAL INFORMATION
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Scale the heights of the Western Ghats as you survey
nature at its best around you. Get away from the
madding crowds as you sink into an ocean of
tranquility, one that is filled with gurgling
brooks, gushing waterfalls, refreshing grasslands,
deep valleys, majestic forts, placid lakes, mystical
hillocks, cool winds and the little township that
has sprung up in the midst of all these. |
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Wake
up in the morning to the glazed picture of sunrise,
the sounds of birds chirping, the soft blanket of
fog, the nip in the air – and for a brief moment,
you would be left wondering where you are.
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You are at the Jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains –
Lonavala, located about 100 kms from Mumbai. And you
are left wishing you had a one-way ticket into this
place and didn’t have to go back. The enchanting
smells of nature’s flora add to the nip in the air
as it reminds you that you are 625 m above sea
level. Add to this, the sweet smells of various
kinds of chikki - a delicious sweet made of
groundnuts and jaggery – wafting around and enticing
you, and you know why the residents of the nearby
Mumbai and Pune find every conceivable opportunity
to rush to Lonavala for the weekend or on holidays. |
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The magical transformation that this hill station
undergoes after a spell of rains is to be seen to be
believed. Families, honeymooners, office gathering,
college gangs, school excursions – Lonavala is the
universal favourite for all those who are looking
for an extended moment of peace and quiet, or just
wish to spend hours trekking and hiking to explore
nature’s myriad wonders. |
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HISTORY OF LONAVALA
Lonavala derived its name from the Sanskrit word 'Lonavli',
which means 'city surrounded by caves'. The region
around Lonavala was once a popular Buddhist center.
The caves around the hill resort date back to 2nd
century BC. Lonavala was once under the rule of
Chattrapati Shivaji and later Peshwas ruled the
region before British overthrew the Peshwas.
WEATHER INFORMATION
The weather in Lonavala is pleasant throughout the
year, with mild summers, cool winters and refreshing
monsoons that turn the place into a paradise of
green. Summers are from April to June when the
temperature can go up to the mid-30s (Celsius). So
regular cottons with perhaps a windcheater for the
nights would be preferable. But winters – typically
from the month of November to February - can get
pretty cold with the temperature dipping to 12C or
sometimes lower. So light woolens are recommended.
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GETTING TO LONAVALA
How do you wish to get to Lonavala? By train, by air
or by road? Take your pick.
Because of its proximity to Mumbai and Pune,
Lonavala can be easily accessible by any mode of
transport - Air, Road or Rail. |
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By
Train
Most trains coming to Mumbai would have to stop at
the Lonavala station, as it is prominently located
on the main railway line between Pune and Mumbai.
That makes trains a very convenient way of accessing
Lonavala. Some of the trains that shuttle between
Mumbai and Pune which cover Lonavala are Indrayani
Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Sinhagad
Express and Pragati Express.
It would take you roughly three hours by express
train from Mumbai to Lonavala and around an hour
from Pune to Lonavala. You could also use the hourly
shuttle service that connects Lonavala to Pune. The
railway station in Lonavala is in close proximity to
the fruit market.
While Lonavala is a destination you can look forward
to after a journey, the train ride to Lonavala is
equally enjoyable. As the train winds and unwinds
through the Western Ghats, it passes through myriad
tunnels and offers splendid views of the Ghats, with
its dense greenery, sheer gorges and exotic valleys.
By Air
The nearest airport from Lonavala is in Pune,
around 65 km away. You could fly in to Pune and
reach Lonavala by rail or by road. In case you are
flying in from outside the country, the nearest
international airport is in Mumbai, which is roughly
110 kms away. So you could alight at Mumbai and take
a train or hire a cab to take you to Lonavala.
By Road
Lonavala is well-connected by an extensive road
network to the rest of Maharashtra, especially
Mumbai and Pune as it lies on the Mumbai-Pune
Highway. Most buses plying between Mumbai and Pune
stop at Lonavala. While the bus service takes
roughly two hours from Pune to Lonavala, it takes
twice that time from Mumbai. There are also regular
bus shuttles between Lonavala and Khandala – the
trip last approximately 10 minutes to cover the 5
kms stretch.
You could also drive down to Lonavala by car. Taxis
are also available to take you to Lonavala, both
from Mumbai and from Pune.
Distance to Lonavala (by Road)
BOMBAY - Lonavala - 90 kms (approx.)
BOMBAY - Khandala - 83 kms (approx.)
PUNE - Lonavala - 60 kms (approx.)
PUNE - Khandala - 67 kms (approx.) |
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