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Archive for the ‘Pune’ Category

Locating at an altitude of 625m, Lonavala and Khandala are famous for its beautiful hills, deep green valleys, huge lakes, historic forts and waterfalls etc. These two hill stations are at the Sahyadris Mountains of Maharashtra.

Lonavala and Khandala have magnificent waterfalls that give a heart catching view during monsoon. Tourists can plan their trip together with Karla, Bhaja, and Bedsa caves, which are very near from Lonavala. This hill station is also known as the ‘Jewel of Sahydri’, because of its nature’s gifted of beautiful valleys, hills, milky waterfalls, lush greenery, and pleasant cool winds.

Khandala is smaller than Lonavala and relatively calmer. It is known to be the pride of the Sahyadri Mountains. Beautiful waterfall amidst green environment is really splendid to see. The place refreshes the exhausted tourists. Tugauli, Lonavala, Bhushi and Valvan Lake are the important lakes of this hill station.

Nearest airport is situated at Pune (64 km). Lonavala and Khandala are 104 km from Mumbai and 64 km from Pune on the Mumbai-Pune highway.

Lonavala

Lonavala is such a place where nature is present in all its splendor. Lonavala has become famous because of nature’s gift. Lonavala has been blessed with valleys, hills, Milky Waterfalls, Lush Greenery and pleasant cool winds. This region full of natural beauty. Words are not enough to describe the beauty for this place. Lonavala is an epic poem created by God. Beautiful mountain ranges trying to reach the sky are sites that please the human mind and give an experience of heavenly pleasure. The morning sun rising over here appears as if it is sprinkling rose water all over. Chirping birds gently awaken oneself and all of this makes it a really Good Morning. The whole place is covered with a thick blanket of fog early in the morning; this is how the day begins here.

Khandala

Khandala neighbors Lonavala. Although is comparatively small, it is equally blessed with natural beauty and bounty. Deep valley on one side and high hills on the other side divide Khandala and Lonavala. Luckily, modern industrialization has not adversely affected Khandala. Whenever a tourist visits Lonavala he also wishes to visit Khandala. While traveling on Mumbai Bangalore National Highway, one has to cross the arduous Khopoli – Khandala Ghat. This is the famous Borghat. In a short distance of 8 Kms one has to climb a height of 369 meters. This is a difficult Ghat to climb.

But once you reach here, you feel that this climb has been worth the trouble. Khandala is One place where you will fall in love at First Site. In fact this is exactly the reason that we feel must have inspired the makers of the movie “GHULAM” to include a song “AATI KYA KHANDALA” in their movie which has created huge waves throughout India. Also, Lonavala and Khandala are full of tourist practically for the whole year. Main reasons for this is the fact that it is very close to Mumbai, so people from Mumbai find it very convenient, other reason is that the passengers traveling to south India or returning from there also pass through, making this place a busy spot. And the natural beauty of Lonavala & Khandala makes one forget the fatigue of the journey. Being at a considerable height from sea level, these two places enjoy a cool climate.

Lonavala is a Hill station in Maharashtra. Also known as the jewel of the Sahyadri Mountains. This Hill Station is also a popular Health Resort in the western ranges on the sahyadri,It Is situated on a hieght of 625 mtrs. above sea level and is a popular gateway from Mumbai and Pune. It also serves as a starting point for tourists interested in visiting the famous, ancient Buddhist rock cut caves of Bhaja and Karla, which are located near this hill station.

Location : Lonavala is located in the western part of the state of Maharashtra, in India. It is situated 106 km southeast of Mumbai at an altitude of 625 m above sea level.

Weather : The weather in Lonavala is pleasant. Summers (April-June) are mild, while winters are cool (November-February). It experiences heavy southwestern monsoon rains between June and September.

Visiting Time : The best time to visit Lonavala is between the months of October and May. It is advised not to visit Lonavala in the monsoon season between the months of June and September, as it experiences heavy rainfall during this time.

Places to See : Lonavala provides a panoramic view of the lush green surroundings of the Sahyadri ranges. The peaceful environs of the town, which provides a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city, attract tourists to this place. Travelers can take a walk along the waterfalls, the grassy abundance and hills in and around Lonavala. The mountainous terrain of Lonavala is ideal for trekking and hiking.

Excursion : There are numerous lakes around Lonavala. Tugauli, Lonavala and Bhushi lakes are worth visiting; so is the Walvan Dam. The small hill station of Khandala is just 5 km away. Travelers coming from Mumbai pass through Khandala before reaching Lonavala. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Hospital is 2 km from Lonavala on the road to Karla and Bhaja caves. This center attracts both local and foreign yogic healing. This center was founded in 1924 and conducts various courses in Yoga along with a research center and a training college. Karla and Bhaja Caves, located in the hills at a distance of 11 km from Lonavala, are important places to visit. These rock-cut cave temples dating back to 2nd century BC and are amongst the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist rock cut temple art in India, belonging to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. Adventure seekers can try their hand at rock climbing at the Duke. s Nose peak and other locations in the Karla hills, near Lonavala.

Here are some of the must places to watch in Pune…

Lal Deval (Synagogue) : Lal Deval is Pune’s finest synagogue, built by philanthropist David Sassoon in 1867.It is located in Moledina Road.The synagogue is carved out of red-brick-and-stone structure built in the English Gothic style.This gives it the resemblance of a church.

Bund Garden : Bund Garden is now known as the Mahatma Gandhi Udyan.It was constructed by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy.It is located on the right bank of the Mula Mutha river.The prime purpose for constructing this garden was to provide water to the poor during summer. it has gained wide popularity owing to its boating facilities and well-designed jogging track which proves to be a major source of attraction for tourist.

The Osho International Commune : The Commune was founded by Osho Rajneesh who died in 1990.Ohso ashram, which is now known as the Osho communal centre is located at 17-km away from Koregoan Park, a green and elite suburb of Pune. The Osho International Commune is in Koregaon Park, attracting thousands of foreigners wishing to take part in the meditation courses organized by the Ashram.The commune has beautiful gardens open to the public in the mornings and evenings.

Aga Khan Palace : Agakhan Palace is a great historical landmark of Pune.It is located at 2-km away from Bund Garden in Yerwada on Pune – Nagar Road.This place is carved out of Italian arches and spacious lawns, an unlikely place for a prison but the Britishers interned Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi here.The architecture of the palace wil take you down memory lane, reminding you of the illustrations from fairy tale houses.

Shindyanchi Chhatri : The temple is carved out of Rajasthani architecture.This is one of the architectural prides of Pune.The great warrior Mahadji Shinde,the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army founded this memorial in the year 1760 to 1780 under the mighty Peshwas. The is an imposing edifice situated at Wanowrie.

Bal Gandharv Mandir : The temple is a centre of different cultural happenings like exhibitions, theatre, orchestra – instrumental and vocal.It is a home of Marathi Theatre.It helps both in commercial and experimental use.

Pataleshwar Cave Temples ataleshwar Cave Temples was built in 8th century.This temple is carved out of rock.The huge pillars, a Shiva shrine and a Nandi bull imparts a special attraction to this temple.It is located in the heart of the city, at Shivaji Nagar.

Shaniwar Wada : The Shaniwar Wada temple was built in 1736.The temple has historic importance.The palace belonged to Peshwa (Prime Ministers) rulers which became the seat of political power during the reign of Bajirao-I. The wada (Fort) was destroyed by a major fire in 1827.Till today the cause of the fire is unknown. The palace has became so conspicuous that to this date it is regarded as a symbol of culture.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum : Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is carved out in a quaint Rajasthani-style building. The museum is divided into thirty-six sections and each section display a plethora of antiques.It holds a one-man collection of the most fascinating Indian artifacts.The special features include carved palace doors, pottery, a priceless collection of lamps and musical instruments of the Mughal and Maratha periods etc. A masterpiece is the ‘Mastani Mahal’ brought and erected as it was from its original place!

Parvati Hill and Temples : The Parvati museum is located on the hill top.It is a display house of protraits of heroes of the Peshwa dynasty along with old manuscripts, weapons and coins.The ‘Nagarkhana’ drum house, the imposing temple of Parvati and Devdeveshwar are the main structures on the hill.According to the records, the main idol was carved out of gold by craftsmen from Karnataka.However it was stolen in 1932,later on it was replaced by silver idols plated with gold.The 108 step climb to the 17th century temple is a major source of attraction for the tourist.

Pune is located 192 km (by rail) and 160 km (by road) from Mumbai and is 559 meters above the mean sea level.At present Pune is the 7 th ranking industrial metro of India.Pune was known as Punyanagari in the past.Pune is popular for Queen of the Deccan, cultural capital of Maharashtra, pensioner’s paradise and Oxford of the East.It was home to some of the fiery personalities who wrote the eventful pages of India’s freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi rightly said that ” Pune is a bee-hive of dedicated workers for a noble cause.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The best time to visit pune is in the month between September and February.In Summer the temperature ranges from 22 degree C to 39 degree C and in Winter it ranges from 12 degree C to 34 degree C. Rainy season is from June to August.