Introduction:

Lonavala is a Municipal Council and famous hill station in Maharashtra located close to Pune. It is a popular tourist spot and there are many places to visit in Lonavala.

Indian Panorama Lonavala - A Perfect Family Adventure Destination - Indian  Panorama

It is the most visited hill station in Maharashtra. The region is also renowned for its production of Chikki, which is a hard candy made by mixing different nuts with jaggery and is known for its sweet taste. Aspiring tourists to the region can book flights to Pune or Mumbai and easily reach the hill station by train or by road.

Climate:

The average temperatures in the hill station ranges from averages of around 38°C during its hottest months and lows of around 9°C during the coldest months.

The region experiences heavy rainfall during monsoons. Summers in the region tend to be hot and humid while winters the weather is generally better with stable temperature ranging from 12°C to 29°C.

When to visit

Ideally, considering the weather, the months from December to February are considered the best. This period mostly falls in winter and the early parts in late autumn. 

However, the monsoon months between June to September despite the heavy rainfall are a popular time to visit because the greenery turns extremely beautiful after being watered and the lakes fill up. But one must come prepared with rain coats, umbrellas, etc. to cope with the weather. 

Places to Visit

The hill station has a lot of attractions. Listed here are the best places to visit in Lonavala:

Tiger’s Leap

It is a viewpoint located just outside Lonavala. It gets its name from its resemblance of shape to a tiger leaping into the valley It offers a comprehensive view of the hills and the Western Ghats from its clifftop which has a sheer drop of over 650m. On clear days, they offer incredible views of sunrise and sunset. The views of the valley below should be enjoyed from a safe spot rather than the top which is dangerous. Another major attraction is the echo point on the Tiger’s Leap. Due to its scenic beauty and calmness it is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala for couples.

Rajmachi Fort

Rajmachi is a small village in the Konkan region of Maharashtra on the Sahyadri mountain range. It is famous for its two historical twin fortresses: Manaranjan and Shrivardhan fortresses. The fort is famous among adventure enthusiasts and trekkers.

The fort was constructed by the Satavahanas who came to power after the end of the Mauryan Dynasty and remained in power until 230 BC. The fort has survived numerous eras throughout history including Mughals and even the British colonial rule. After independence the site was named an ancient and protected monument in Maharashtra. 

With regards to architecture it comprises gigantic gateways,administrative centres, residential units, vast and robust walls and a few secret gateways for exiting the building. An ancient Shiva Temple, a water tank and a fountain in the shape of a cow-head have also been discovered.

Imagicaa

Considered as a one-stop recreation centre today, the famous entertainment theme park was opened in April, 2013. The park is separated into three zones: Water Park, Snow Park and Theme Park. In terms of natural landscapes in Lonavala places to visit are many but in terms of modern day attractions Imagicaa stands out. The park offers a variety of leisure activities and amusements for visitors of all ages. It is located on Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khopoli and attracts lots of people from neighbouring cities. 

Karla Caves

It is one of the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in India. It contains one of the largest Chaityas(prayer halls with a stupa) in India. The caves are known for the Ekvira Temple found inside it. It was referred to as Veluraka in previous eras. It has a giant 15m pillar along with a temple dedicated to Goddess Ekveera. It also has a Buddhist Monastery believed to date back to 2nd century BC. The halls contain sculptures of men, women, animals, etc.

Recommendations

There’s plenty of things to do in Lonavala for tourists. It's a perfect place for photographers and in particular nature photographers because there’s tons of beautiful natural landscapes to behold on offer. Architecture and history lovers will love the Rajmachi Fort and the Karla Caves considering the long time they’ve been around for their design. Both the aforementioned sites are great for religious tourists as well since Karla Caves have Buddhist origins and Rajmachi Fort has places of worship in it.

Lonavala is an easily accessible region for tourists. Pune Junction offers local trains from Pune suburbs and it is also an important stop on the railway line that connects Pune and Mumbai. Both the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway pass through the hill station. 

The hill station has plenty to offer and as long as tourists keep visiting Lonavala Maharashtra and its ecotourism sector shall continue to thrive.