Lonavala Mumbai : Places to visit : Nice one..
Recently I had been to Lonavala, Mumbai. While planning my trip, I had gathered information about the places to visit. I would like to share the same with you.
Although I could not cover all in my 2-days trip. But it was great journey. Must visit this place, especially in Manson (rainy season).
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Bushy Dam : Architectural
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Bushy Dam is one of the majestic picnic spots in Lonavala. The Dam is magnificent during the monsoons with water gushing out through the dam make exhilarating waterfalls. The Dam is located at the backdrop of scenic hilly terrains and lush green environments.
This is a much sought weekend and vacation destination in Lonavala. Calm environment and cool atmosphere add the beauty of this site. Swimming is not allowed in this Dam.
Ryewood Park : Gardens
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Ryewood Park is a picturesque hang out in the hill station Lonavala and is located very close to Lonavala market. This Park has plenty of grounds with greenish lawns and playing grounds for children. The Park is blessed with many varieties of trees which are decades old. It was a botanical garden and later converted to a Park. The present day garden has many facilities for merry making and is thriving with many varieties of flowers.
Ryewood Park is a weekend hang out for many families. Children enjoy the playing facilities in the Park. One can get the pure air in this park.
Nagphani (Duke's Nose) : Scenic
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Nagphani, later known as Duke’s Nose after Duke Wellington, is a cliff at Khandala near Lonavala. The Cliff is pointed like a snakes pointed head portion (hood) and hence the name Nagphani (Nag means snake and phani means hood). The name Dukes’nose is derived as the cliff looked like the shape of the Duke. This is a marvelous picnic spot nearby Lonavala.
Adventurous trekking is highly essential to reach the Duke’s nose and the view of the downhill plains from this point is mind boggling.
Sausage Hills : Scenic
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Sausage Hills is one of the best picnic spots in Lonavala. This pristine hill is covered with dense forests and is the natural habitat of many varieties of birds. The Sausage hill is the perfect place for hill climbing, bird watching and trekking. Many trekking trails originate from Sausage hills and leads to other hilly terrains, forts and lakes. From this hill one can get eye catching views of Pawna Lake and Tunga Fort.
Karla Caves : Historical
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Karla Caves are the largest cave temple (chaitya) in India and is located in Lonavala. These rock cut caves are assumed to be built around 100 AD by Buddhist nuns. The marvelous ancient Karla Caves are presently a popular tourist destination to have a close look at the ancient Buddhist architecture and culture. These caves exhibit Buddhist ideologies through inscriptions and stupas.
The Chaitya hall is spectacular with 37 octagonal pillars with a base structure of a water jar and it has a special feature of the façade screen made out of teak wood. The entrance of the Chaitya hall is adorned with an arch in the shape of a horse shoe.
Karla caves encloses Buddha viharas, where by the monks were stayed during their meditation period in the caves. The cave encloses sculptures of elephants adorned with metal jewelries and ivory tusks.
Bhaja Caves : Historical
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Bhaja caves, second century old Buddhist caves, in Lonavala is rare Buddhist tourist destination. These caves encloses 18 rock cut caves constructed by Buddhist nuns and enshrines many sculptures like a prince in a chariot, a prince seated on an elephant, three armed warriors and dancing couples. All these sculptures are the specimen of Indian architectural age and the mastery in sculpturing.
The first cave is believed to be the residential place of the master of the caves, the next ten caves are Buddhist viharas with one cave contains the Chaitya hall. The rest seven caves are adorned with inscriptions including the details of the donor. A water fall is also located at the last of the caves
Koli Temple (Aai Ekvira Temple) : Religious
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Koli temple, a temple of the Koli (fishermen) community in Lonavala, is located outside the main chaitya of Karla caves. The tribal Goddess Aai Ekvira is the main deity here. The Koli tribes throng to this temple during special occasions like navarathri and chaitra. One can see the koli fishermen community populaces walking all through the hilly terrains to reach the temple with festivities, Koli dances and folk music.
Koli tribes offer animal sacrifices in this temple, they offer the sacrifice of goat or chickens and they believe that the tribal Goddess has majestic powers.
Lohagad Fort : Historical
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Lohagarh, literally means Iron fort, is an important hill fort used extensively by Chatrapati Shivaji. It has a long history and was used by all dynasties who ruled Vidharbha and Maratha kingdoms. The fort is placed at an altitude of more than 1050 meters. This fort is situated on the Sahyadri ranges and divides the Pavna basin and Indrayani basin.
The fort site is a fine destination for tourist with interests in architecture, archeology and history. The actual date of original fort is not clearly known but the known records points out some additional constructions such as a step well and big tank during eighteenth century. The ancient fort’s four mammoth gates are still intact and are in good condition.
Scorpion's Sting (Vinchu Kata) : Scenic
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Scorpion’s Sting, also known as Vinchu Kata, is a long and narrow fortified spur in the region of the Lohagarh fort which extends westwards of the Lonawala. This is a finger styled projection of fissure of Lava and the name scorpion’s sting due to its natural shape. The attractive beauty of the pinnacle of this hilly terrain is worth visiting.
This trail is very fascinating for the nature lovers and trekkers. From this peak one can descend towards the Visapur fort. The peak offers long views of surrounding plains and lush green sceneries of the forests.
Pawna Lake : Beaches, Lakes & Falls
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Pawna Lake (Pavna Lake) is an artificial lake formed by the Pawna Dam built across the Pawna River nearby Lonavala. The lake attracts many tourists due to its imposing natural ambience and cool climate. From the dam site one can view the majestic sights of Tungi, Logagarh and Tikona forts.
Tikona Fort : Historical
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Tikona Fort, also renowned as Vitandgad fort, is a major hill fort in Maval region near the Lonavala. Tikona fort, literally means triangle fort, had witnessed many dynasties ruled in the Maratha region. This was the nerve centre of the many activities of entire Malwan Pawna regions. The small hamlet close to the fort is Tikona peth. The fort’s mammoth entrance is a special attraction.
The Tikona fort is a great trekking destination for the adventurous tourists. One can get the eye catching views of the Pawna Dam and the forts at Visaput, Tung and Lohagarh. The fort encloses a lake, Satvahan caves and the temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev'.
Tung Fort : Historical
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Tung Fort, also known as Kathingad, is a fort in the peak (tung means peak) and is very difficult to approach. The fort is in the Mawal region which was ruled by Maratha kings. The fort is constructed at a height of 3500 feet and about 1200 feet hilly terrain are with steep ascents.
The Tung fort is a tough and rough adventurous trekking destination. One can start trekking to Tung fort from Phagne Dam in Pawna River. The tung fort has already ruined and only the structure left was a temple dedicated to Devi Tungai. There are a lake and a cave at the fort region. From the pinnacle of the hillock, one can enjoy the majestic views of Laghghar and Visapur forts.
Koregad Fort : Historical
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Koregad Fort is an individual fort in a hillock which is not connected to other hills in Lonavala Region. About one hour trekking expedition is required to reach the top. This hillock is credited with few ponds and magnificent picturesque landscapes. This fort stands alone with grandiose solitude. The fort is in ruins and most of the structures of the fort are not visible nowadays.
One can get eye pleasing views of surrounding hilly terrains and other forts from the peak of this fort.
Morvi Dongar : Historical
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Morvi Dongar is a fascinating hillock between Tung fort and Devgad. This is at one side of the Pawna Lake. There are many trekking routes from Morvi to Tung fort and other hilly ranges in Lonavala.
Morvi Dongar is a jungle region with many varieties trees and flora. This is a natural habitat of various kinds of bird fauna. Bird watchers can enjoy the days here watching beautiful birds.
Visapur Fort : Historical
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Visapur fort is located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 ft above sea level in Lonavala. One has to do a real trekking expedition to reach this historical fort. It is believed that the fort is built centuries back and was thriving with many activities during the rules of many Maratha dynasties. Chathrapthi Shivaji was using this as a place to watch the movements in the downhill and the plains.
Presently the fort is in ruins and there is not much structure left in the fort. The scenic surroundings and the majestic panoramic views of the plains are the best attraction here.
Tungarli Lake : Beaches, Lakes & Falls
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Tungarli Lake is an artificial reservoir in Lonavala. This lake is the major source of water supply to Lonavala city. There is a dam across the Tungarli Lake. During monsoons the lake fills with water and during summer the scarcity of water is a common problem.
The Lake is located at scenic surroundings and the well maintained lakeside add the beauty of the place. The garden near the dam site is a nice location for evening walks and hang outs.
Valvan Lake : Beaches, Lakes & Falls
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Valavan Lake is one of the beautiful picnic spot in Lonavala. The Valvan Lake is an artificial lake created by the Valvan Dam built across the Kundali River. The Valvan dam is the source of water to the Khopali power station. By the side of the lake there is a beautiful garden with vast expanse of landscaped plains. The Valvan Lake and the surrounding dam sites and the garden are popular evening relaxation spots.
Lonavla Lake (Monsoon Lake): Beaches, Lakes & Falls
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Lonavala Lake is also known as Monsoon Lake as it dries up during the winters and gets filled with gushing water during monsoons. This lake, built around 1876, is a picturesque picnic spot in Lonavala. This location is gorgeous with natural beauty and scenic surroundings. The source of the Lonavala Lake is the famous river Indrayani. This lake is a natural habitat of many water bodies. Many varieties of birds can be spotted over the lake.
Fishing : Adventure
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Lonavala is the hamlet of the fishing community known as Koli. Lonavala is the nerve-centre of the fishing activities in the state. The number of Lakes and dam sites make this place a hub of all kinds of fishing activities. The lakes in Lonavala are thriving with varieties of fish fauna.
Visiting Lonavala will give the tourist the rare opportunity of living among the local fishermen folks and to enjoy their culture and lifestyles. If you are interested in fun fishing the local fishermen will be more willing to take you for fishing.
