Lonavala Khandala

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T. S. Eliot.

“Lonavala”, What’s in the name?

Folklore, legends, mythology and a bit of history and culture, if we blend it well, makes the story of any place very interesting.

Once upon a time the entire region of Lonavala was covered in thick forest, the place was known as Lonali. Many explorers, adventurers and historians say that “Lonavala” its name is derived from the Sanskrit word Layan, which means to lay or relax. The local tribes then used to speak a local language or dialect called “Prakrit”, and called “len” as the place where you rest. Since the entire region was rocky, they termed it as “Avali”. The name evolved from Lenavali to Lonavala over the period.

History series… summary.

Present day Lonavala was a part of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty. Later, the Mughals realised the strategic importance of the region and kept the region for an extended time. The forts in the region and the "Mavala" warriors played an important role in the history of the Maratha Empire and that of the Peshwas.

In 1871, the Lonavala and Khandala hill stations were again made popular by Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of Bombay Presidency at the time. It developed the reputation of being a travel destination in 1870s, when the British administrators of East India Company started using it as a vacationing/ hunting spot.

Bhor Ghat was an ancient trade route that connected Konkan Region Ports to Deccan plains of Peninsular India played an important role in making Lonavala more popular after the discovery of a route to make a motorable pass in Bhor Ghat came after information was provided by a local Dhangar tribesman called Shigroba. Later, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway laid a railway line from Mumbai to Pune. The section through Bhor Ghat with 28 tunnels, and old bridges was opened in 1863. The Ghat opened Mumbai to the Deccan plains of Peninsular India. The building of this railways was marked by many challenges and adventures but that story is for another time. Let’s come back to the present time and explore further as inquisitive travelers.

Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort, Rajmachi Fort, Karla caves, Bhaja Caves, Bhedse Caves, Tikona Fort, Scorpion's sting, Kathingad,  are some of the famous spots of historic importance in Lonavala. But there is so much more to be explored at Lonavala for an avid traveler and explorer… Fort, Caves, Hills and Valleys, Lakes, Eateries, Nature, Camping and Glamping Sites, Resorts, Farm Stays, Villas and Bungalows on rent come and explore with us. Let’s camp, glamp, trek, go on long exploring walking tours, cycling trips, become a local, experiment staying in villas, cottages or in remote basic home stays of rustic and humble homes of Adivasis. 

Exploring the know and lesser-known secrets of Lonavala and Khandala with NatureKnights

One of the most favorite monsoon holiday and picnic destinations for Mumbaikars and Punekars. It is at a height of 2050 feet / 620 meters above mean sea level. From Bombay Lonavala is 128 km by railway and 97 km by road. To Reach Lonavala Trains take about 2.30 hours from Mumbai and 1 hr from Pune. Local Trains from Pune take 1 hr 30 min. to reach Lonaval. There are 2 cinema theaters. Places worth visiting here for tourists are Bushi Dam, Nagpani, Rajmachi Point, Duke's Nose, Kune Point, Khandala Dari, Rye-wood Park, Tiger's Leap, Tungarli Lake, Valvan Dam, Yoga Institute, Ghambir Nath Caves, Bhusi Lake, I.N.S. Shivaji (A Navy Training Center) and for those seeking adventure seeking travel explorer Lonavala and Khandala has many hidden secrets to be explored and discovered.

Besides all these the Lonavala Chikki, fudge, Jellies, Jams are the most popular sweets over here. 

Caves And Forts (REQUIRES A LITTLE FURTHER EXPLORING, WALKING OR TREKKING)

Few Popular Treks around Lonavala / Khandala with distances mentioned are from Lonavala

Lohgad Fort14 km

VisapurFort 14 km

Korigad Fort 20 km

Tikona Fort - 25 km

Rajmachi Fort 20 km

• Rajmachi Trek - One Day Trek with Off-road Safari
• Rajmachi Overnight Camping in Wilderness, Trek and Off-road Safari
• Rajmachi One Day Trek from Karjat Side

Dukes Nose 8 km

Tungi or Kathingad Fort 24 km

Bedsa Caves 21 km

Bhaja Caves 14 km

Karala Caves 12 km

VILLAS AND COTTAGES FOR RENT AT LONAVALA / KHANDALA CLICK HERE

 

WAIT FOR THE DETAILED PAGE TO BE PUBLISED – WE WILL BE EXPLORING AND PUBLISHING MANY TRAVEL DIARIES AND STORIES ABOUT LONAVALA AND KHANDALA… SO KINDLY BOOK MARK THIS PLACE FOR FUTURE UPDATES.

PLACES THAT ARE EASY TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY.

• Rey Wood Park
• Bushi Dam
• Gambhirnath Caves
• Tiger's Leap
• Dukes Nose
• Khandala Valley
• Pavna Lake
• Tungarli Lake

​We will be sharing Camping, Glamping and Villa Options in a few days.

Rey Wood Park: 

Once a Botanical Garden, during the years of British Raj, initiated by ‘Mr. Rye’, has now been converted into a park frequented by picnickers. The Garden is spread over 25 acres of manicured land, the park provides lawns, that are equipped with swings where the children can play and have fun. Hence it is an ideal visiting spot for the tourists as well as for the local people, to sit on the clean wooden benches, stroll around the tall trees and relax with the near and dear once. Apart from the varieties of trees and flowering plants, the park also has an old Shiva Temple within its premises.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE - There are lot of temples around this place that you can pay a visit to like Shri Siddheshwar Temple, Koli Temple, Laxmi Mata Temple and Ram Temple. Apart from the temples, the Tiger’s Leap, Lonavala Lake, Bhor Ghat, Kune Falls, etc. also lie close to the park.

GETTING THERE - The park is located close to the Lonavala market and is just half a kilometer away from the railway station. To reach here you can easily get an auto-rickshaw or simply walk down. 

Bhushi Dam:
Ideal time to visit this place is in the month of August. The Dam overflows and fun lovers hate to miss this golden opportunity. The extra water overflows from the staircase like structure. This is like a outlet for the water and this is the point after coming where one feels like being in Lonavala that one has heard of. 

Gambhirnath Caves :
The most adventurous place over here is Gambhirnath Caves. This place lies between Monkey Hill and Thakarwadi while going towards Mumbai. After bearing some amount of nuisance you reach this place. Coming here includes climbing the narrow path on the hill. When you enter the cave, you will feel the underlying suspense and darkness in this place.

Tiger's Leap:
Popularly known as Vagdari. You will also find the Echo point over here. Nagphani and Tiger's Leap were close to each other, hence often visited at a time. 

Dukes Nose:
Also known as Nagphani, Duke's Nose is an ideal place for those who like adventures. Mahadevi temple has been built recently over here. At the end of rainy season Maharashtra's Everest "Kalsubai" is visible from here. After reaching Khandala when you walk a certain distance towards khopoli water electricity Centre, you can see a rock oddly penetrated into the hill, that is Duke's Nose.

Khandala Valley:
Popularly known as Khandal Dari or even Canino Trek for some. This is the only place which is advised not to be visited in the rainy season. The place is my favorite of all trekkers. This place lies in between Rajmachi Point and Rajmachi fort. You come across the Ulhas River in this valley. The easiest way to reach the bottom is to first reach the Kune point and then walk to the bottom.

Pavna lake: 
This beautiful Lake on Pavna Dam. 

Tungarli Lake:
This lake is at the north of S. T. Stand near Tungarli village. The hill gives a beautiful view of Rajamachi, Lohagad, Visapur fort and Lonavala City. 

 

Lakes And Dams
Lakes And Dams Name Distance from Lonavala 
Bushi Dam & Lake Approx 04.00 km
Lonavala Dam & Lake Approx 02.40 km
Pavna Dam & Lake Approx 32.00 km 
Shirota Dam & Lake Approx 11.00 km 
Tungarli Dam & Lake Approx 03.00 km
Valvan Dam & Lake Approx 03.00 km

Some Of the Other Points 
1. Rajmachi Point or Rock Garden: It is about 6.5 km from Lonavala Railway Station. Regular S.T. Buses run in between Rajmachi Point and Lonavala S.T. Stand.

2. Bairamji Point: It is 8 km from Khandala Station.

3. Reversing Point: It is near Rajamachi Point. It is known for its panoramic view.

4. Kune Point: Midway to Lonavala and Khandala On the highway. It is known for its scenic beauty.

5.Barometer Hills: It is 24 km from Lonavala Railway Station with Tungi and korigad fort is an extensive table and called sakur Pathar, famous for healthy climate.

6. Ambavane Village: It is 22 km from Lonavala.

7. I.N.S. Shivaji: This is a basic naval camp.

8. Kaivalydham: It is 22 km from Lonavla.

9. Tata Duct Line: 3 km from Khandala Railway Station

NOTE: THE AUTHOR/S MAKE NO CLAIMS FOR THE AUTHINTICITY OF ANY HISTORICAL OR ARCHEOLOGICAL OR CULTURAL CLAIMS. SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME. IF POSSIBLE, IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ADD YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO THE ONGOING UPDATES OF THE CURRENT PAGE, SO KINDLY EXCUSE US IF IT DOES NOT GO AS PER YOUR SUGGESTIONS.