Lonawala-Khandala
Incase you are planning on a vacation this summer Lonawala-Khandala will be the best spot ever offering camping, trekking, paragliding, and whatnot. It’s a must-try place for adventure lovers. Lonavala is also known as “misty hill station” where clouds meet the earth, worth the visiting. During monsoons. Lonavla and the adjacent Khandala are twin hill stations 622 meters (2,041 ft) 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 sq mi). Tourism peaks during the monsoon season. Places to visit in Lonawala -Khandala Kune Waterfall: Kune Waterfalls is a picturesque cataract, nestled between the scenic valleys of Lonavala and Khandala. Cascading from a height of 200 meters, it is the 14th highest waterfall in the country. Eye-soothing greenery encompasses this three-tiered waterfall, which is why it looks spectacular when viewed from a distance. The pool formed by this waterfall is an ideal spot for swimming and bathing. Rappelling is a popular adventure sport conducted at the site of Kune Waterfalls. Nagphani: is a high cliff situated in the hill station of Khandala. The cliff attributes its name to its shape, which resembles a snake's hood (Nagphani). Another name of this cliff is Duke's Nose, owing to its supposed similarity to the nose of the Duke of Wellington. Pinnacles of the Sahyadri mountain range are clearly visible from the cliff. This site is also popular for thrilling activities like trekking, hiking, and rock climbing, which attract many adventure enthusiasts. Pawna Lake: Pawna Lake is an artificial reservoir formed by the water of its namesake dam. Situated towards the outskirts of Lonavala, this lake is a popular picnic and leisure spot. Rich verdure encompasses this lake, making it a delight for those who want to spend time in the lap of nature.
Facilities for row and motor boating are available at this place, which adds to its popularity. While enjoying a boat ride on the lake, tourists get magnificent views of three ancient citadels – Tikona, Lohagad, and Tunga. Rajmachi Park: Rajmachi Park is a green patch that serves as a popular picnic spot in Khandala. This park is nestled at the starting point of the beautiful Khandala Ghat, which makes it the gateway to this hilly tourist paradise.
The eastern part of this park has two huge towers that form a part of the Rajmachi Fort complex. Carpeted with lush greenery and offering beautiful vistas of surrounding greens, this vast garden is an ideal place to relax. Tiger’s Point: Tiger’s Point or Tiger's Leap is a prominent tourist attraction in Lonavala and offers splendid views of the valley. If you look closely, you can see an impression of a tiger trying to leap across the valley, which is why the vantage point has earned its name. The echo produced by rocks falling into the crevasse is another highlight of this point. During monsoon, a small natural waterfall is formed close to this point. If you are a nature lover, you're surely in for a treat. Karla Caves: Located about 8 kilometers away from the beautiful hill station of Lonavala are the Karla Caves. These centuries-old Buddhist rock-cut cave shrines are good examples of the early Buddhist temple art in India. These caves are similar to many other caves that were excavated in the Sahyadri Hills, hundreds of years ago. The main highlights are a Buddhist monastery, an idol of Lord Buddha, an aisle made up of 37 pillars, a huge rock-cut Chaitya (prayer hall), and carved elephant heads, which earlier had real ivory tusks. Lohagad Fort: Lohagad Fort, literally meaning iron fort, is a historical citadel perched atop a hillock at an elevation of 3400 feet. Situated in the Sahyadri range of Lonavala, it separates the Indrayani basin from the Pawna basin.
The fort can be reached from any of its four entrances, namely Maha Darwaja , Ganesh Darwaja , Hanuman Darwaja and Narayan Darwaja .
Exquisite sculpting can be seen on the Maha Darwaja that speaks of the art and architecture prevalent in olden times. A stepwell and large tank constructed during the 18th century can also be found here. Don't forget to catch glimpses of the famous Pawna Dam while you are at the Fort. Bhairavnath Temple: Bhairavnath Temple is an ancient shrine, situated in a densely forested area near Lonavala. This temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairava, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, according to Hindu mythology.
Mahashivratri, the main festival related to Lord Shiva, is the time when this temple is frequented by several devotees