LONAVALA/KHANDALA
Population : 50, 000
By
Air
Since Lonavala
and Khandala does not have an airport, catch a flight to
Mumbai or Pune. The nearest International Airport is Mumbai
(110 km away) and the Domestic Airport is Pune (66 km away).
Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara connect Poona to
all major cities of India such as Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Bangalore,
Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai.
By
Train
All express trains between
Mumbai and Pune stop at Lonavala. From Victoria Terminus
(Mumbai), it takes 3 hours to Lonavala.
By
Road
By bus/car, Lonavala is 3
hours from Mumbai and an hour from Pune.
Mid-June to mid-September. Reasons why: Lonavala is a round-the-year
destination. But it is at its most charming best during
the monsoons when the air is full of the heady aroma of
wet soil and the waterfalls gush down ravines swelling with
rainwater.
From
the Airport
From Poona or Mumbai airport, take a taxi, or a bus to Lonavala.
From
the Railway Station
Taxis from the Dadar TT Station in Mumbai take 3 - 4 hours
to Lonavala. Maharashtra State buses plying between Mumbai
and Pune halt at Lonavala.
state or tourist buses, taxis will take you around the city.
Lonavala, (derived from Sanskrit 'Lanavli') is a hill resort
surrounded by the Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves. It stands
next to Khandala divided by a deep valley on one side and
high hills on the other. Its nearness to Mumbai (106 km
away) makes it the ideal week-end excursion for those who
don't want to lug baggage to Matheran. Lonavala was first
discovered by then Governor of Bombay, Sir Elphinstone in
1811. At that time it was a thick forest populated by a
handful of people. In the ancient times, Yadav Kings are
believed to have ruled Lonavala. Later the Mughals, Marathas
and the British 'took turn'to control the region. Besides,
natural beauty, Lonavala and Khandala have other 'hidden'
attractions. Not many know of its Chikkis and Jams and tasty
salted snacks: the Chiwda (puffed rice), Wafers and Sevs.
At times, there are more crowds before the shops (Maganlal
Chikki Center, Purohit Chikki and Super Chikki for example)
selling chikki than there are at the famous Buddhist Caves.
Summers record a maximum of 36 deg. C and a minimum of 12
deg. C in winters. |
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