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Hill Resorts
Lonaval, Khandala - Karla Hill Resorts
Lonaval
and Khandala are two charming little hill stations on the western slopes
of the Sahyadris, 5 kms. apart, that straddle the Mumbai-Pune highway at
an altitude of 625 m.
Quite popular as health resort, there are
a number of sanatoria dotting the hills in the towns.
Khandala
is smaller and calmer of the two, though browsing through Lonavala's
bazaar could yield some wonderfull surprises. Both towns offer scenic
views of the surrounding hills and in the monsoon, with a myriad
waterfalls, it can be enchanting.
Karla about 12 kms. from
Lonavala, is the site of the largest Chaitya caves in India, built in 89
B.C. Amongst the best-preserved Buddhist temples in India, they represent
the zenith, in terms of design purity, of this style of temple
architecture.
Taxis and auto-rickshaws, easily available in
Lonavala and Khandala, are the best way of getting to and from Karla.
Temperatures
vary from 12°C to 36°C throughout the year with an annual
rainfall of 450 cms.
October to May is the best time to visit.
Getting there : Pune 66 kms. away, is the nearest
airport. All trains fro Mumbai to Pune and the south stop at Lonavala.
Mumbai is 104 kms. away by road, the last 20 kms. of which wind up the
ghats through gruellinmg switchbacks.
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