LONAVALA ......a beautiful hill station

Lonavala, in Pune district of Maharashtra, is a popular tourist destination with various sightseeing attractions which includes architectural, historical and religious sites. It is just about 100 kms from Mumbai and 55 kms from Pune , can be reached by road or rail and lies 622 m above sea level in the Sahyadri Ranges, which separate the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan Coast .

 

The name of the city is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Lonavali’ which refers to a ‘group of caves’. The name was given to the place due to the presence of many caves in and around the city. The place has valleys, hills, waterfalls and lush greenery due to which it is also called the ‘Jewel of Sahyadri’.


Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of the Bombay Presidency, discovered the city of Lonavala along with Khandala in 1871.The present day Lonavala was a part of the Yadava Dynasty, which was taken over by the Mughals, who ruled the region for a long time. The Governor of Bombay favoured Lonavala in 1811 due to its large forest cover. This forest cover made the city a vacation and hunting spot by the British administrators, which lead to its reputation as a tourist destination.

Lonavla is close to Mumbai where Mumbaikers can go on a weekend and relax away from the traffic and noise of the city life. Monsoon brings out the best of Lonavala. Green carpeted hills, streams and waterfalls almost everywhere are an unforgettable sight. You surely will cherish the walk in the rain, enjoying the lush green hill views and fresh air… clouds floating around you ..getting drenched under numerous waterfalls… As the weekends are crowded with Mumbaikers, it is advisable not to plan your visits during weekends .



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Karla Caves



Major historical sites such as Bhaja Caves, Karla Caves, Koregad Fort and Lohagad Fort reflect the rich heritage and culture of the place. Other historical sites in the city include Tikona Fort, Tung Fort and Visapur Fort, along with the Bushy Dam. All these sites provide views of the neighbouring hilly terrains and downhill plains.

Other than the cultural and heritage sites, one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Lonavala is the Rajmachi Wildlife Sanctuary, which reveals the wildlife beauty of the destination. Tourists can also visit religious places like the Bhairavnath Temple in Rajmachi, Shingroba Temple (Khandala) and the Koli Temple and the wax musium.