Lonavala, India
Snuggle amidst the Sahayadri ranges of Maharashtra; Lonavala is a wonderful hill resort and a popular stopover for Mumbai & Pune. It is located at an altitude of about 625 meters. The place enjoys proximity to important cities of Maharashtra, including Mumbai at a distance of around 96 km and Pune at a distance of 62 km. Lonavala is vnot only popular amongst holidaymakers, but amongst adventure enthusiasts as well. It is really an exciting destination, which offers several possible opportunities for fun and adventures. The place offers excellent chance to go for trekking as it features numerous treks. The name of Lonavala has been derived from a Sanskrit word 'Lonavli', which means 'City surrounded by Caves'.
Lonavala used to serve as one of the central hub for Buddhists in India. Indeed, the Bhaja and Karla Caves, located close to Lonavala, enjoy Buddhist origins and date back to about 2nd century BC. The hill station also has some connection with Chattrapati Shivaji. Along with beautiful views and adventurous activities, Lonavala is also known for its Chikki, a sweet made from jaggery and peanuts/cashew nuts/sesame seeds. There are many beautiful aspects of Lonavala. Know about them before planning a Lonavala trip.
Visit in Lonavala
Lonavala is a picturesque hill station, which is situated close to another hill station Khandala. Lonavala is known for being the beginning point for the tourists visiting the ancient Buddhist caves of Bhaja and Karla. The hill station has a number of attractions that people can explore on their visit. Given below is the information on Lonavala sightseeing tours.
Situated about 6.5 km from Lonavala, Rajmachi Point is a vantage point on the way from Mumbai to the hill station. It is an important place to visit in Lonavala. Located immediate ahead of the point from where the Ghat starts, this spot offers the visitors amazing views of the Rajmachi Fort. The very popular Vaghjai Dari is located here only.
Ryewood Park and Shivaji Udyan are popular attractions in Lonavala. These splendid gardens enjoy lush greenery and are visited by lot of people. With tall trees and wide open spaces, they turn into perfect picnic spot. Kids love to come here for having fun.
Tungarli Lake features the mixture of wonderful environs and calm atmosphere to its visitors. It is the main source of water for the Lonavala hill station and is a very popular spot to enjoy picnic.
Tiger's Leap is a natural cliff top, which is located at an elevation of about 650 meters and looks like a leaping tiger. Close to this site, there is a small waterfall. One can enjoy here adventurous activities like rafting, trekking and more.
Valvan Dam is one of the major attractions of Lonavala, which is located at a distance of approximately 2 km from the town. It has a beautiful garden, located at its foot. The dam is the main source of water for the Khopoli power station.
Situated 10 km away from Lonavala besides the Sahyadri region, Lohagad Fort was built in 1564 as a prison and afterwards acquired by Shivaji Maharaj in 1670 to preserve his treasure. Situated at an elevation of more than 1050 meters, the hill fort is an architectural, archaeological and historical landmark. It is a must visit attraction in Lonavala.
Situated on the outskirts of Lonavala, Lonavala Lake is about 1.6 km from the town. The lake enjoys natural scenery and an enchanting environment. This is the reason, a large number of visitors arrive here for spending a good time.
Situated in the backdrop of picturesque hilly terrains between Lonavala and INS Shivaji, the Bushy Dam is visited by people to enjoy its waterfalls. During vacations and on weekends, this site is always busy. The waterfalls are created when the water comes out through the dam during monsoon months. One can enjoy here adventurous activities like swimming and more.
Located 40-50 km away from Lonavala, the roadway to reach Pawna Lake is amazing as you come across the breathtaking views of surroundings. The lesser crowded lake is exceptionally picturesque and spending time with your loved ones gives you immense pleasure. You can take here wonderful photographs and also enjoy several water sports and boating.
Spread over an area of 25 acres, Ryewood Park was originally a botanical garden. Later on, it was re-constructed with old trees and decorative flowering plants. Abundant in floral variety, the park has tall trees and an ancient Mahadev (Shiva) Temple. It also has open spaces to relax amidst greenery, flowers and scenic beauty of nature.
Located amidst the lush greenery of Lonavala, Morvi Dongar is a small hillock at one side of the Pawna Lake. The site is covered with dense forest, which houses a number species of birds, animals, flora and fauna. It turns into a picnic spot for the visitors coming here.
Karla Caves are situated at a distance of about 20 km from Lonavala. These are supposed to be date back to somewhere around 200 BC. One of the major attractions of these caves is a huge Buddhist stupa, which is more than 2200 years old.
Lonavala, India
March to Mid-June, warm and humid
Temperature:16°C – 25°C
July to October
Annual rainfall -650cm
Last November to February, Cool and Pleasant
Temperature:10°C – 20°C
Sights of Lonavala
