Tourist Destinations in Khandala

Karla Caves

These are the ancient Buddhist caves. They are in existence since 160 BC and are suppose to be the biggest among the “Chaitya Caves”. There is provision of S.T. buses from Lonavala for reaching here.

This temple of Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (C.K.P.) and Fisher communities is thronged by devotees during Navratri and Chaitra. The exquisite carvings created by human hands leaves one spellbound. At the entrance, there is a small temple of Ekvira Devi.

At the entrance, there are lion pillars and inside huge elephant forms are carved on which there are different forms representing Gautam Buddha. Other carvings include dancing pairs with windows everywhere.

The entrance gate is in the shape of a “Peepal” leaf through which one enters the huge Chaitya griha or hall. This large hall is full of stone pillars, which are carved with elephant and human forms. The roof is high and semicircular.

The pillars are surprisingly very smooth. There are many resting rooms around here. These rooms carved in the rocks are calm and ideal for meditation. Water is available for drinking from the tanks around.

Bhaje Caves

On the way to Pune from Lonavala the first station is Malavali. South of this station at a distance of about 25 minutes by foot is small town called Bhaje.

On one side there is Lohagad fort on other side Visapur fort and approximately in the center are Bhaja Caves. They are similar to Karla Caves but are on a much smaller scale. This caves are also in Chaitya style.

The speciality of these caves is that the rays of the setting sun visit these caves. On the southern side, there is a place where one can see carved figures of Gods and Goddesses.

Bedsa Caves

These caves are located on Mumbai Pune road near Kamshet, between Kadde and Bedsa. They can be reached by bus or a truck hired from Kamshet. These caves are as big as Karla Caves but as they are located on a side off the main road there is not much tourist traffic here.

Huge Lion pillars and a large Chaitya hall with resting rooms is a specialty of these caves. There are smooth pillars in the shape of lion or human form. The sunrays fall straight on the place of prayer here.

This caves at Karla Bhaja and Bedsa which are called “Leny” in Marathi perhaps gives the place the name “Lonali” which subsequently changed to Lonavala.
These places which are symbols of our hard work and perseverance of our ancestors are real treasures of Lonavala.

Rajmachi

On the way to Mumbai from Pune, you come across the Rajmachi point, where there is a garden. This place is known as Rajmachi point because opposite this is the historic Rajmachi Fort. Rajmachi Fort can be approach only on foot. It is surrounded by deep valleys on three sides and a thick forest on one side. There are three ways to reach there:

(1) Lonavala through Tungarli village and Dam. There is a small right turn here which is to be avoided and take a left turn to reach the fort.
(2) On the railway route, get down at thakurwadi station, cross a place called Palas Dari and reach Rajmachi
(3) From Karjat town one can straight away reach Rajmachi. This fort is very old, it probably belongs to yadav period because there are two small fort attached to it viz.
(a) Shrivardhan (b) Manoranjan .
Yadava’s use to name their forts in this manner, the ancient Buddhist caves show that these forts are ancient. Rajmachi fort is 10 kms away from Lonavala and one can travel through thick forests and Deep valleys on the way.

Shrivardhan

The fort east of Rajmachi is known as Shrivardhan fort. Between Shrivardhan and Manoranjan, there is an old temple of Shri Bhairavnath. There are watchmen posts at the entrance of the Shrivardhan fort.

The entrance is semicircular in shape so that it is not easy to locate. A little further there is cave belonging to Buddha period. Remaining part of construction is however in Maratha style. This can be made out from Ganesha on the door.

There are two huge water tanks on this fort. Both have water all year round. One of them is near the caves and the other one near the fort. At one end there are residences of the people staying on the fort and on the other end for the guards.
Lohagad, Visapur, Tungi, Korigad, Nagfani etc. Can be seen from here.

Manoranjan Fort

(1) Lonavala through Tungarli village and Dam. There is a small right turn here which is to be avoided and take a left turn to reach the fort.
(2) On the railway route, get down at thakurwadi station, cross a place called Palas Dari and reach Rajmachi
(3) from Karjat town one can straight away reach Rajmachi. This fort is very old, it probably belongs to yadav period because there are two small fort attached to it viz.
(a) Shrivardhan (b) Manoranjan .
Yadava’s use to name their forts in this manner, the ancient Buddhist caves show that these forts are ancient. Rajmachi fort is 10 kms away from Lonavala and one can travel through thick forests and Deep valleys on the way.

Visapur Fort

This fort is located to the east of Lohagad fort and it has a huge plateau surrounding it. The fort is famous for its protective walls with intricate designs. These walls and designs have remained in good shapes even after facing centuries of torrential rains.

The fort guard’s residence in the forest at the center is in ruins. On the right hand side one can still see the gun turret. This turret is made of copper. Unfortunately, it is missing today. There is a pass of 1 – 15 furlongs between Visapur and Lohagad forts. This semicircular pass can be seen from the railway bridge at Lonavala Station. According to a legend, a brave woman is supposed to have crossed this valley on a rope.

Lohagad Fort

This fort belongs to Shivaji’s period and is 10 kms from Lonavala. It was used for keeping prisoners in the year 1564. Shivaji Maharaj won this fort in 1670 in the year 1751, Gaikwad and Dabhade family were incarcerated in this fort. First Delhi gate – the entrance of the Lohagad fort is a spectacular sight. There are three gates one after the other.

The third gate especially is very exquisite. On entering this third gate one reaches the guard’s post. There is provision to position guns here. This gate is constructed in such a way that the gunfire from gates above would reach the enemy at the first gate. There is a huge cave outside the fort. This cave would be used for storing grains during the rainy season.

There is a tomb here as well as a Shivlinga. Next to that there is a tank of water with sweet taste. On the fort there is one more place where water would be stored for use. This is supposed to have been built by Nanasaheb Phadnis. There is a plaque but the writing cannot be read any more.

The peculiar design on the walls of the fort is known as Vindhukata (fangs of a scorpion). It is said that Shivaji Maharaj had kept the treasures he looted from Surat in this fort for some period of time.

Tunga Fort

A rock piercing the horizon can be seen to the south of Lohagad, this is Tunga Fort. Pavana Dam surrounds it. This fort can be approach by the motor boat for Pavana Dam. It is a stiff fort to climb. It is a narrow fort with slippery roads for climbing.

There is a temple of Mahadeo on the fort. During Shivaji’s period, this fort was used for keeping a watch on the other forts.

Tungarli Lake

This lake is at north of S.T. Stand near Tungarli village. It supplies water to Lonavala City. The hill gives a beautiful view of Rajmachi, Lohagad, Visapur forts and Lonavala City.

Pavna Lake

View of the beautiful Pavna Lake on Pavna Dam

Bhushi Dam

A fabulous Waterfall near the dam is one of the most exciting spots of Lonavla. It’s a beautiful water fall between Lonavla and I.N.S.Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here. 5 km from Lonavla.

Valvan Dam

Valvan Dam has a beautiful garden at its foot, and is a popular evening spot 2 km from the town. This exquisitely-built dam supplies water to the Khopoli power station at the foothills of the Sahyadris for generating electricity.