Travel » Maharashtra

HEAVENLY LONAVALA – MAHARASHTRA :
Lonavala, situated about 625 m above sea level in the Sahyadri ranges, is a place, as its name suggests, full of caves and waterfalls (during the monsoons). The place is pollution free and with nature all around.

When we went in February, it was the end of the season, but it was chilly enough to need a sweater or shawl—very pleasant. It was clean all around, with fresh flower pots arranged beautifully, and the rooms were well-appointed and situated around the pool.
The restaurant was spacious, the offerings tasty, and the presentation was very eye-pleasing. The staff from the manager to the room boys were all very attentive, responsive and responsible; quick to please the guests.

The views at Sunset Point in Khandala, about 8 kin from Lonavala town, are very enticing, with Duke's Nose on one side and the Khopoli expressway bye-pass meandering on the other side ... wow! We also had a nice morning view of the ranges and the valleys from Rajmachi Garden. We saw a stupa and Buddhist architecture at the caves at Karla and Bhaja hills. From the hills, the fort-like views of the range around us were outlines clearly etched against a cloudy sky.

The Valvan dam, a Tata Power Project site, has a very ornamental garden, but it's not for the public. The Lonavala Lake is small, but the Lohaghat Lake (about 10 km from Lonavala) is away from the towns, and though it's still being developed for tourists, the boating experience is unforgettable!