| FACTS
& FIGURES
Languages
: Marathi, Hindi and English
Best Time to Visit : October–May
KHANDALA: THE
PRIDE OF SAHYADRI
Khandala is one of the important hill
stations in the state of Maharashtra and is the pride
of the Sahyadri Mountains. Khandala is endowed with
abundant natural beauty and like Lonavala, it is also
provides a popular gateway from the hustle and bustle
of cities of Mumbai and Pune. The picturesque green
surroundings of this pretty hill station attract the
travelers towards it.
LOCATION
Khandala is located in the western part
of the state of Maharashtra, in the western region of
India. It is set amongst the hills and valleys of the
Sahyadri mountain range. It is situated 101 km southeast
of Mumbai and 69 km from Pune. It is 5 km from Lonavala.
Weather in Khandala is pleasant. Summers (April–June)
are mild, while winters are cool (November–February).
It experiences heavy southwestern monsoon rains between
June and September.
VISITING TIME
The best time to visit Khandala is between
the months of October and May. It is advised not to
visit Khandala in the monsoon season between the months
of June and September because of heavy rains.
THE PAST
The origin of the place is obscure.
Chattrapati Shivaji, the founder of the first Maratha
Empire, ruled the area around Khandala. Later it came
under the Peshwa rulers, who founded the second Maratha
Empire. It was finally taken over by the British when
they defeated the Peshwas.
TOURIST SPOTS
Khandala is a small hill station. The
town provides a panoramic view of the lush green hilly
environs. Travelers throng this place to escape the
hectic lifestyle of Mumbai city. They can enjoy the
scenic beauty of this place by taking a walk around.
It has a number of trekking trails around it.
SITES NEARBY
The popular hill station of Lonavala
is only 5 km from Khandala. Lonavala also has the same
geographical settings as that of Khandala.
There are a number of lakes around Khandala. Tugauli
Lake, Lonavala Lake and Bhushi Lake are worth visiting;
so is the Walvan Dam. Karla and Bhaja Caves, located
in the hills at a distance of 16 km from Khandala, are
important places to visit. These rock-cut cave temples
dating back to 2nd century bc and are amongst the oldest
and finest examples of Buddhist rock-cut temple art
in India, belonging to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
Adventure seekers can try their hand at rock climbing
at the Duke’s Nose peak and other locations in
the Karla hills, near Khandala. Travelers coming from
Mumbai to Khandala via the Mumbai–Pune highway
can see the Duke’s Nose with its peculiar peak.
HOW TO REACH
Khandala does not have an airport. The
nearest airport is at Pune (69 km) while the nearest
railway station is at Lonavala. As Lonavala is on the
main railway line between Mumbai (Bombay) and Pune (Poona),
all express trains plying between the two cities stop
here and travelers can take express trains passing through
Lonavala to reach Mumbai and Pune. The travel time from
Lonavala to Mumbai in express train is three hours,
while it takes one hour from Lonavala to Pune. There
is also an hourly shuttle service for Pune (2 hours).
Khandala is well connected with Mumbai and Pune by road
and the bus service for Pune (travel time 2½
hours) via Lonavala is good. However, it takes about
four hours to reach Mumbai from Khandala. Buses shuttle
between Khandala and Lonavala (15 minutes). Travelers
can also walk down to Lonavala from Khandala.
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