Captivating Caves of Lonavala

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Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Weekend breaks are always a welcome change for everyone. Just a few hours away from home gives you the opportunity to relax, refresh and reconnect with your self, family and friends leaving the daily mayhem of urban life back in the city. Every major city has a few select places, which are ideal getaways for short trips, and Mumbai is no exception. Lonavala, Khandala and the areas around them are approximately 96Kms away from Mumbai and 64 kms away from Pune. They are perched approximately 622 mts high on the Deccan Ghats. Lonavala is ideal for trekking, hiking and more. 

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A lot of Mumbaikars (people living in Mumbai) prefer driving up to Lonavala on their own as the journey is far faster than any of the above mentioned transport options. A drive to Lonavala takes approximately 1.5 hours from the city center, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which connects Mumbai to Lonavala, is a smooth four-lane road carved through the Deccan Ghats. The most notable thing during the journey are the 2 Km + long tunnel on the expressway, and driving through it is a new experience altogether!

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Lonavala has three predominant seasons -- summer, monsoon and winter. The post monsoon season is much like summer.The best time to visit Lonavala is during the monsoons (June-August) as the entire area is covered in green and under clouds. In winter (November- January) too the town is much cooler than Mumbai and is a good place to go for a break. In fact last year there were some freak showers too during this season. Summers are avoidable as it gets very hot and the lakes and streams are reduced to tiny trickles or little pools.

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It was the month of August and the best time to go for a road trip to Lonavala.  Me along with my family planned a road trip to Lonaavala from Mumbai. Weather being perfect for a road trip, we planned to get out of home early morning, having breakfast on the way itself. We were 6 of us, 4 out of them being fanatic car drivers, there was surity of having some fun fight regarding who's tot take the driving seat. Nonetheless, we had all set up for this awesome long drive the evening before.

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We started our journey as per our schedule, early morning start. We had breakfast just beofre getting out from Mumbai, with some yummy vada pao, corn bhajiyas, kanda bhaji and obviously Mumbai special tea. 
After day we continued our journey. All smiling and happy faces of my family memebers along with the ever smiling weather in and around Mumbai made the day very special. 


Spots that we visited:
 
 Captivating Caves of Lonavala

  Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave.

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

   

Lakes of Lonavala

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.dpuf

Bhaja caves are located in a place called Karli and are existing since 200 BC. The entire cave complex consists of nearly 22 rock-cut structures with various sculptures like a prince in a chariot, three armed warriors. Basically these were built by Buddhists and hence nearly half of them are the Buddhist viharas. There is also a beautiful waterfall near the last cave. - See more at: http://blog.sterlingholidays.com/best-places-to-visit-in-lonavala/#sthash.14gvC8cE.d

  Lakes of Lonavala

Valvan Lake is an artificial lake which is a popular weekend getaway. It is at a short distance of around 2 km from Lonavala market. A beautiful garden is also located near this lake.  Lonavala Lake is another famous place located around 1.6 km from the town. It is also called as the monsoon lake, because during monsoon months it is full and dries up during winter season. 

Lakes of Lonavala