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Khandala | Lakes | Caves | Forts | Other Attractions
 
 

 

Khandala This little hill station is a mere 5 km away from Lonavala and can be reached by road in a matter of minutes. Like Lonavala, it has also been favoured by nature and hence bestowed with absolute beauty – picture-perfect green settings, the mountains, valleys and ghats as an exotic backdrop and quaint little picnic spots where you can unwind.

 
 
 
 

Lakes While the ghat sections of Lonavala are breath-taking, equally mesmerizing are the lakes that you will find here, like Tungarli, Lonavala and Bhushi. No trip to Lonavala is complete without a serene moment by these lakes.

Tungarli Lake
A central lake that supplies water to Lonavala City, this lake is located in proximity to the Tungarli village.


Lonavala Lake
This lake is believed to be the birthplace of the river Indriyani and offers the perfect spot for tourists.


Walvan Lake
This lake boasts of a beautiful dam, a picturesque garden and a Pisiculture Center, is equally popular amongst the tourists.


Pauna Lake
This is a sparsely populated lake, possibly because not too many people know of it. It is located by the Pavna Dam and offers you the perfect spot for a quiet picnic.


Bushi Lake
The Bushi lake presents the perfect picture of harmony, with a lush green hill on one side and tiny waterfalls on the other.
It gets crowded during monsoons.
 
 
 
 

Caves When there are mountains around, can caves be far behind? Lonavala has its share of exotic caves. Travel 10 km from Lonavala into the hills and you will find yourself near a group of exotic caves, some of which are actually rock-cut cave temples – amongst the oldest and best examples of Buddhist rock-cut temple art in India, dating back to the second century, BC. It is said that some of these caves were created as far back as 200 BC.

Karla Caves
Amongst these, the Karla caves need to be singled out for special mention as they are the location of a Buddhist stupa that is believed to be 2,200 years old. The Karla caves have a temple for Ekvira Devi, besides lions and elephants that have been carved on pillars and at the entrance.
 

Bhaja Caves
Between the Lohagad Fort and the Visapur Fort is located the Bhaja caves, accessible from the Malvali station. A smaller version of the Karla caves, these caves are privy to the rays of the setting sun and have representations of Gods and Goddesses sculpted inside.
 

Bedsa Caves
These caves are located near Kamshet and resemble the Karla Caves in size, their huge lion pillars, smooth surfaced pillars, resting rooms and other architectural features.
 
 
 
 

Forts Lohagad Fort Lose yourself to a splendid piece of history as you walk through a magnificent entrance guarded by huge gates and visit a huge cave that was used in the past to store grain. The Lohagad Fort dates back to Shivaji’s era, during the 16th century and is located roughly 10 kms from Lonavala. The fort also has a water tank attached to it.

Tunga Fort
This fort is surrounded by the Pavana Dam and has a Mahadeo temple inside it. Be very careful when attempting to climb this fort, for it has slippery roads and narrow paths.
 

Rajmachi Fort
This fort is located in such a place, near a garden, that can only be accessed on foot. The thrills of an adventurous walk is evident from the fact that you will find deep valleys on three sides and a thickset forest on the fourth as you approach the fort. The fort is quite ancient – as is evident from its Buddhist caves - and is located 10 kms away from Lonavala.
 

Shrivardhan Fort
Shrivardhan Fort is located to the east of Rajmachi Fort. The fort has strong signs of both Buddhist and Maratha styles of architecture. The entrance to the fort is not just interesting, but also not easy to locate at first go, with its unique semicircular shape.
 

Manoranjan Fort
This fort is located near the Bhairavnath temple, and a lake that offers fresh water across the year. The fort also offers and excellent view of several other scenic spots, besides the Khandala railway station.
 

Visapur Fort
To the east of Lohagad fort is a large plateau that has magnificent fort, with exquisite designs, strong protective walls and a turret. A semicircular pass is present between Visapur and Lohagad forts.
 
 
 
 

Other Attractions Satyam Shivam Sundaram This is a beautiful manmade waterfall that also has a pool near it. Needless to say, a beautiful excursion spot or a place for a quiet walk.

Bhushi Dam
Yet another popular picnic spot for tourists and visitors. It is located roughly 5 kms from Lonavala and has become the sought-after spot for those who want to take a shower under the mighty waters.


Bhairavnath Devasthan
An enchanting spot that displays all of nature’s works of art in one place - thickset forests, deep valleys, colorful peacocks, chattering monkeys, gurgling streams, etc.

 

Duke’s Nose While the place got its name because of its resemblance to Duke Wellington’s pointed nose, it is also referred to as Nagfani, meaning the hood of a snake, because some thought it looked like one! Rock climbing is a popular pastime here.

Rajmachi Park
Majestic hills on one side, placid lakes on the other. And a beautiful garden in the middle of it all! The Rajmachi Park is located in close proximity to the Ghat section and offers a splendid view of the place around. The Rajmachi Fort is located near the Park, with tall, imposing towers bordering along the eastern side of the park.


Tiger’s Leap
Any place that looks like a tiger leaping into the valley has to be experienced. The rocky outlines of the mountain regions have made a large-sized opening through which one can get a great view of the valley below. Some even throw stones into this opening, just to hear the ricochets that the stone makes on its way down!


Ryewood Garden
Imagine walking into a sprawling garden full of greenery, laden with the morning’s dew drops and surrounded by statuesque trees. Visit the Mahadeo temple in the park or watch the children play in the garden. Ryewood Garden is a place with never a dull moment.

 

Monkey Hill A favorite picnic spot for tourists, this place is close to the Borghat reversing station where all the trains coming down from Khandala halt for brake testing.

Yoga enter
Holiday is not the only way to unwind. Yoga could also play a major role in keeping the body healthy and the mind relaxed.
Keeping this in mind, scores of travelers visit the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Hospital, located about 2 Kms from Lonavala on a pretty hill near Walvan Lake, for yogic healing. You can enjoy the benefits of yoga by joining one of its many courses on yoga.
 
 
 
 

Things to do While the mountainous terrain of Lonavala offers the perfect setting for trekking and hiking, there are several other activities that you can try your hand out at Lonavala. If you seek active adventure, try out rock climbing at the Duke's Nose peak and other locations in the Karla hills, near Lonavala. Or you could go for long walks along the waterfalls or the green hills in and around Lonavala.

Another thing you can do at Lonavala is shop for chikki - a sweet preparation made of jaggery mixed with peanuts, cashew nuts or sesame seeds. Lonavala is also famous for its jams.