Lonavala Khandala - Mumbai's Favorite Weekend Destination

Lonavala has three predominant seasons, summer, monsoon and winter. The post monsoon season is much like summer.

Lonavala is best enjoyed during Monsoons

The best time to visit Lonavala is during the monsoons (June-August) the entire area is covered in green and under clouds. In winter (November- January) too the town is much cooler than Mumbai and is a good place to go for a break. In fact last year there were some freak showers too during this season. Summers are avoidable as it gets very hot and the lakes and streams are reduced to tiny trickles or little pools.

A. Lonavala

Lonavala and Khandala are adjoining each other. There is no specific distinction between the two towns other than their names. The main market and activity area lies in Lonavala. Lonavala is a tiny town with one main road and many adjoining side lanes. The main street has many restaurants, hotels and shops selling chikki (hard candy made with peanuts and some with dry fruits). In the recent years the town has become more tourist friendly and a mall has also come up.The Triose mall is on the way to Bushy Dam. Other than shopping this mall offers a gaming center for children called Orama. Orama offers many game parlor games. It is a fun place to go with kids.

B. Bushy Dam

Bushy Dam is 6km from Lonavala set under the great Deccan Hills. During the monsoons the Dam is in full bloom and the hills around are unique shades of green, the hills are full of waterfalls emerging out of every nook and cranny and the air around on most days is foggy, cool and filled with raindrops. The dam itself is accessible by foot and tourists can enjoy the water flowing onto the steps of the dam. The flowing water gives the impression of a huge waterfall. The setting is near perfect and therefore it attracts many tourists during the wet season.

On weekends in the monsoon reaching Bushy Dam is a task, the drive to the dam can take anywhere between 15mins to an hour through single lane roads packed with cars. On reaching the dam while you find parking, you can see an elevation full of people and some glimpses of water and yes, that is Bushy Dam! Everyone who visits Lonavala loves to come here to sit on its steps and enjoy the force of water. The flow of the water here in not constant and sometimes the force can be very strong and swimming here is prohibited one must exercise caution here.

After a splash in the dam the surrounding area has small chai (tea) stalls selling piping hot tea, a treat when you are soaked, there are also tiny makeshift kiosks selling roasted corn, raw mango with a tasty spice mix and other local delicacies.

C. Lion's Point

 

Majestic view of the Western Ghats from Lions Point

A few kilometers drive from Bushy Dam is Lion's Point. This is located in an isolated area between Bushy Dam and Amby valley. Situated high above Lonavala one can see the some spectacular views of the valley below but that's not the main attraction here. At night many choose to camp here or just drive up and enjoy the cool unadulterated breeze. The sky on a clear day is full of stars twinkling and sparkling in the mid night blue sky. But here its not only the sky that sparkles all the trees and the surroundings are full of luminous specks lighting up the darkness, it's really quite magical. The Lion's point is dotted with fireflies and city dwellers come here to see these unique creatures.

D. Aamby Valley City

 

The road leading to Aamby Valley

23 kms from Lonavala, a 15-20 mins drive from Lion's Point, up a winding road that lies under a canopy of trees, is Aamby Valley. Driving up to Aamby Valley is fairly simple as there are numerous signs directing drivers up to the city. Aamby Valley is a self-contained city spread across 40.5 square kilometers. It has its own airport for private jets of the many millionaires that own Villas here.

Beautiful Chalets that can be rented at Amby Valley

Entrance into Aamby Valley is not open for all and prior bookings need to be made by members (i.e. Villa owners) for their guests or by cooperates for their employees. Another way to visit is to stay in Chalets that are rented out commercially.

Lakes and endless scenic beauty abound at Aamby Valley

The city has a replica of Benaras Ghat (the embankment on the river Ganges believed to be one of the most sacred places of worship for Hindus). On the drive up to the Ghat there are gigantic sleeper wood swings looking over the Aamby Valley Lake. The entrance to Aamby Valley city is fascinating, even while you go through the security check at the entrance your eyes catch the huge arcs and the well landscaped entrance way. On entering there is a massive statue of Mother India. This statue is only the beginning of what Aamby Valley has to offer. There is a man made beach with a wave pool and many water sports. There is the campfire point where on can choose from a variety of boats to take a ride around the lake. Jet skis, motorboats and kayaks are some of the options here. Aamby Valley offers a state of the art convention center, open-air theatre, well equipped gym and has a few restaurants. The 18-hole golf course is of international standards.

Visitor need not drive around the city as there are cars that can be hired in the city or battery operated golf carts. Aamby Valley has much to offer but it is recommended to visit during the dry seasons as during the monsoons most of the activities are non functional. If you do plan on visiting during the monsoons you will not be completely disappointed as the city is beautiful and fascinating on its own.

E. Tung Fort

The majestic Tung Fort from a distance

Tung Fort is about 13 km's from the Amby Valley. The road up to the fort is a winding road amidst the lush green landscape. Closer to the Fort the road gets rough, so you need to drive cautiously. Tung Fort was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty before 1600 AD but Shivaji, the great Maharashtrian warrior king, captured it. It is small fort and could house approximately 200 troops at a time. The main function of the fort was to serve as a watchtower to guard the road to Pune city the helm of the Maratha Dynasty. During invasions this fort would distract many invaders and this would help the major forts of Visapur and Lohagad that would then have time to prepare to defend themselves from the invaders.

F. Della Adventure Park

The Della Adventure is one of the newest additions to Lonavala. As you drive to and within Lonavala there are numerous signs directing you here. The park claims to be India's largest adventure park and it does indeed offer many activities for visitors.

Zorbing at Della Park

The entrance into the park is only Rs. 100 per head and all activities are charged separately inside. The park offers activities like paint balling, zorbing, ATV bike rides, horse ride, flying fox, rappelling, painting and numerous other activities. You can spend an entire day here and there still would be activities that you will have not had a chance to do. The Della Adventure Park had something for everyone right from little toddlers to adults.

G. Pawna Lake

The ultra serene Pawna Lake

Pawna Lake is the perfect getaway from the crowds of Lonavala and Khandala, still a desolate area with only a few random visitors this is probably the most serene place in the area. Pawna Lake is an artificial lake formed by the Dam built across the Pawna River near Lonavala. About 11 Km's from Lonavla, the road leading to the lake is very beautiful. You drive through quiet villages that silently greet you from their slumber, green ghats lay tall on both your sides and the fog and the cool weather in the monsoon makes you feel like you are driving through clouds.

There isn't much to do or see near Pawna but to enjoy the beauty near the lake in the company of loved ones with some simple outdoor games. Do sit near the lake and savour the Onion and Potato Pakoras as it's a separate experience altogether!
 

G. Khandala

Khandala is on the hill adjacent to Lonavala, the town is small and has many hotels. In Khandala you should stop on the road and enjoy the views of the mountains around.

H. Shri Khandala Park

Find peace at the Shri Khandala Park

The Shri Khandala Park is a quaint park on the drive down to the highway from the town. The park itself is naturally landscaped with a lotus filled well, a children's play area, tiny enclaves and monkeys. The park over looks the valley below and the mountain across, though on a rainy day the visibility from here is next to nil as the entire area is engulfed in fog. On a clear day you can see the green mountains with their many waterfalls some emerging right in front of you eyes.

I. Karla Caves

Karla caves are one of the best examples of rock cut caves in India. Built during the 2nd century B.C, the caves are a sight to behold with their intricate Buddhist craftsmanship. Located at Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra (11 Km's from Lonavla), the caves were once a part of a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan.

The rock cut caves of Karla

The drive up to Karla caves is on a steep road leading to the base from where you have to climb up. It is a fairly easy half km trek up the rugged stairs, which lands you in front of the caves. From below the caves look inconspicuous but only when you walk up do you see glimpses of the balconies in the mountains. From the top of the hill and during the monsoon the view of the villages and fields below are wonderful. Greenery all around, small houses with hills at the back and a flowing waterfall are a few sights you would see.

The caves are a marvel as cutting out designer balconies through the tough mountain rock without modern technology and machines keeps all visitors wondering how did the makers manage to create this structure. Built in the time of the Theravada Buddhists (The oldest surviving Indian Buddhist schools), these caves do not actually show the image of Buddha but instead intricate carved drawing of humans and animals.

Good fortune's just a stones throw away - at Karla

The main cave has a magnificent Chaitya (Buddhist Shrine) with huge pillars and intricately carved relief's dating back to the 1st century B.C.By common belief people try to throw a coin accurately inside the elevated funnel structure (see above photo) which is supposed to be lucky.

Outside the Karla caves also coexists the Ekaveera Temple (A temple devoted to Goddess Kali). This temple is revered by the Koli tribes of Lonavla and other nearby regions. The tribal Goddess Aai Ekvira (another form of Kali Goddess) is the main deity here. The Koli tribes throng to this temple during special occasions like Navarathri and Chaitra (major Hindu festivals). Koli tribes offer animal sacrifices of goats and chickens in this temple and they believe that the tribal Goddess has majestic powers. This ritual is practiced till date and anyone can ask for a sacrifice to be made and once the Bali(sacrifice) is done, the meat is cooked and given to the devotee who ordered the sacrifice.

 

On the highway: Mc Donalds at Panvel, Food Court offering local specialities and other Indian Delights. Food Court on the return journey has many options including AC restaurants too.

Bhaskar Tarachand: In Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Sector 6 Market is a pure vegetarian restaurant. The Vada Pao is a perfect amalgamation on hot piping Aaloo (potato) mixed within a crispy layer of Besan (gram flour) is a must try. For those looking for a complete meal try thr vegetarian Thali (an Indian set menu meal). You must try the Desi Ghee Dal Fry (pluses with a spice and clarified butter topping) and the hot Chapati (roasted Indian bread) with Butter Milk as a digestive accompaniment.

Roasted Corn vendors are aplenty at Lonavala and Khandala

In Lonavala and Khandala: All around Lonavala there are many vendors selling freshly roasted corn made right in front of your eyes, they also keep raw mangoes that are cut and covered in a spice mix.

The ever yummy Vada Pao being prepared

Another local delicacy is Vada Pav (spicy potato balls wrapped in a gram flour paste and fried and served with condiments incased in a local burger bread). The best place for these is Golden Vada Pav on the main Lonavala road. The pakodis (gram flour and pulses paste flavored with spices and deep fried) here are good too.

National Chikki: Lonavala is famous for its Chikki (hard candy made with peanuts and dry fruits)

Coopers Fudge: The chocolate walnut fudge the most popular take home delicacy from Lonavala. It is situated in the main market.

Sunny Da Dhabba: Try freshly made traditional Indian food here in the tiny but famous establishment.