Lonavala Khandala Diaries: June 2025

VISIT TO LONAVALA AND KHANDALA.

Lonavala, a picturesque hill station nestled in the Pune district near Mumbai. Located approximately 650 km. from Ahmedabad, it usually takes around 10 to 11 hours to reach by train. We planned our trip in mid-May, which happens to be the peak tourist season. Due to high demand, we couldn’t find a direct train from Ahmedabad to Lonavala so, we traveled via Vadodara, changing trains there. Our journey began on the 15th of May, and after an overnight ride, we arrived in the serene beauty of Lonavala early in the morning on the 16th.

Our first stop in Lonavala was Jayanand Dham, a Jain temple located approximately 4 km. from the Lonavala Railway Station. This magnificent, three-storeyed temple has Munisuvrat Swami Bhagwan as Mulnayak on the 1st floor. On the ground floor, there is Shankheshwara Parshwanath Bhagwan and on the 2nd floor, there is Neminath Bhagwan. The temple complex is quite spacious and well-equipped, featuring a Bhojanshala (dining area) and a Dharamshala (accommodation for pilgrims). There are 32 AC rooms in Jayanand Dham. Boiled water and chovihar facilities are also there. We had initially planned to stay at Jayanand Dham, but due to the peak tourist season, all rooms were fully booked. Fortunately, we found a hotel just opposite the temple.

After having breakfast at the Bhojanshala, we checked into our hotel and prepared for the rest of our day in Lonavala.

Before planning the trip, here are some IMP points to keep in mind.

You have to walk a lot so shoes are must.

After checking in, we freshened up and got ready to explore Lonavala on our first day. We hired a local auto-rickshaw driver who not only transported us but also acted as a friendly guide, suggesting popular spots to visit. Our sightseeing began around 12:30 PM on the 16th of May.

Places to visit :-

DAY - 1(16th May)

1) Ryewood Garden -

Our first stop was a park located about 5 km. from our hotel, which took us approximately 15 minutes to reach by auto-rickshaw. The park was fairly average, with lots of trees providing shade and a few benches for sitting. We took a few photos inside the park, but there wasn’t much to do. It’s a peaceful spot, but this one can easily be skipped.

2) Lion Point -

Our next destination was just 800 meters from Ryewood Garden, but due to the hilly terrain, it took us around 20 minutes to reach. The spot is located on a hilltop. Once we arrived, we were greeted by breathtaking scenic views. The place offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. During the monsoon season, it transforms even more dramatically, with several waterfalls. We spent time wandering around and taking beautiful photos of the entire landscape. One of the mountains nearby even resembles the shape of a lion, adding a unique touch to the natural scenery. This spot is perfect for a leisurely 1 hr visit. We began our journey back from there at around 2:15 PM.

3) Bhushi Dam -

Our next stop was a dam located about 5 km. from Lion's Point, which took us approximately 15 minutes to reach by auto-rickshaw. From the drop-off point, there was a short and easy 5-minute trek to reach the dam. Since we visited during the summer season, the water level was relatively low. However, we were told that during the monsoon, the dam fills up completely. Despite the low water level, the surroundings were peaceful and scenic. We spent around 15 minutes exploring the area, enjoying the calm atmosphere and clicking some beautiful pictures near the dam.

4) Khandala Lake -

Our next destination was a beautiful lake located about 8 km. from Bhushi Dam, which took us approximately 25 minutes to reach. The lake is a peaceful and scenic spot, perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature. It is an artificial lake where you can also view some water birds like cormorants and heron. Boating is also available here. We spent around half an hour at the lake, including time for boating and capturing some stunning photos of the tranquil waters and surrounding landscape.

5) Khandala Ghat View Point -

Our next stop was Khandala Ghat, located just 2 km. from Khandala Lake. From the top of the ghat, we were treated to a truly picturesque view. The winding roads below stretched out beautifully, weaving through the hills and valleys, creating a magnificent and mesmerizing landscape. We spent some time here clicking numerous beautiful photos and simply soaking in the breathtaking views of the ghat and surrounding greenery.

6) Monkey Point -

Just about 200 meters from the Khandala Ghat viewpoint lies this beautiful place situated within a lush garden. From here, you get a stunning panoramic view of the national highway winding through the valleys, creating a picturesque landscape. During the monsoon season, this point offers a spectacular sight as several waterfalls. We spent around 15 to 20 minutes exploring this peaceful area, where we also encountered, as the name suggest, a group of monkeys😂.

After enjoying all the sightseeing spots, we began our journey back around 4:30 PM. Before heading to our accommodation, we made sure to try two of Lonavala’s famous treats - Cooper’s Fudge and Maganlal’s Chikki. While you’ll find chikki being sold at almost every corner in Lonavala under the name "Maganlal," it's important to check for authenticity to ensure you’re getting the real taste. After looking around, we decided to buy Kalekar’s Chikki, another well-known and reputed brand.

We returned to Jayanand Dham for dinner. The temple is located about 10 km from Monkey Point, marking the end of a fulfilling day exploring the scenic beauty and local flavors of Lonavala.

DAY - 2(17th May)

Next morning, we visited Jayanand Dham. We did puja at derasar and then headed back to our hotel. We began our journey at 10:30 AM.

7) Karla Caves -

Our first destination was the Karla Caves, located about 8 km. from our hotel, which took roughly 15 minutes to reach by auto-rickshaw. These are ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves. To reach the caves, you need to climb approximately 350 steps, which takes around 20 minutes. At the top, there is also an ancient Karla Devi Temple which is very famous temple. The caves themselves include a large prayer hall (chaitya) and several other rooms, all perfectly carved out of solid rock. There is a small entry fee to visit the site. From the summit, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city and the surrounding landscape. It’s a serene and awe-inspiring spot where one can easily spend 1 to 1.5 hours.

Karla Caves

City view

8) Bhaja Caves -

Our next stop was the Bhaja Caves, located about 7 km. from Karla Caves, with a travel time of approximately 25 minutes. Like Karla caves, these are also ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves. At the center of the caves there is a prayer hall. To reach the caves, you need to climb the steps. This climb is a bit steeper than at Karla caves and takes around 25 minutes to reach the top. Once there, you can spend about 20 to 25 minutes exploring the caves. From the summit you can also view the breathtaking panoramic view.

Bhaja Caves

City View

9) Mapro Garden -

Mapro Garden, located about 10 km. from Bhaja Caves, was actually very close to our hotel. Although we hadn’t planned to visit initially, our auto-rickshaw driver recommended it and it was actually a very beautiful place. Mapro Garden is a delightful place, famous for its wide variety of fruit crushes, chocolates, and other delicious treats. There were numerous counters where you could sample different fruit punches before deciding which ones to buy. The tempting place and vibrant displays made it almost impossible to leave empty-handed!

One of the highlights was a stall where you could make your own chocolates, adding a fun and interactive element to the visit. You can easily spend about an hour here, savoring the flavors and the garden’s charm.

After exploring the caves and enjoying the delights of Mapro Garden, we began our journey back around 2:45 PM. Our hotel was conveniently located just 2 km. from the garden, so it was a short ride. We spent the afternoon relaxing in the swimming pool and refreshing ourselves after a day of sightseeing. As the evening approached, we headed back to Jayanand Dham for the dinner.

DAY - 3(18th May)

The next morning, we once again visited Jayanand Dham to do puja at the derasar. After returning to the hotel, we prepared to check out, as our train back to Ahmedabad was scheduled for later that day.
Initially, we hadn’t planned any additional sightseeing. However, we came to know about a very ancient Jain temple near Pabal, located approximately 2 hrs from Lonavala, in the direction of Pune. Grabing the opportunity, we decided to make the most of our remaining time. We checked out of our hotel and booked a cab for the trip. Our journey toward Pabal began at around 10:45 AM, as we set off to explore this lesser-known yet spiritually rich destination.

7) Pabal Manibhadravir Temple -

The temple is located about 85 km. from Lonavala, near the town of Pabal. This ancient Jain temple has Padmaprabhu Swami, the sixth Tirthankara, as mulnayak and has deep spiritual significance. We arrived at the Padmaprabhu Swami Jain Derasar and spent some peaceful moments offering our prayers. After completing our darshan, we began our return journey around 2:00 PM, making our way back toward Lonavala to catch our train to Ahmedabad. There is also a Bhojanshala and Dharamshala here.

After visiting the temple near Pabal, we headed directly to Lonavala Railway Station to catch our return train to Ahmedabad. Our scheduled departure was at 6:00 PM, but to our surprise, the train was a holiday special, which often faces delays due to lower priority on the railway network. As expected, the train didn’t get a signal easily and finally arrived at the station around 8:30 PM. It reached Ahmedabad nearly four hours late, at around 11:00 AM the next morning. We were fortunate that we didn’t have any connecting trains to catch, otherwise we would have definitely missed them.

A word of advice for fellow travelers: before booking train tickets, always check the train number. Trains starting with “0” are usually holiday special trains, which often face significant delays. Despite the delay, our trip to Lonavala was filled with scenic beauty, spiritual experiences, and lasting memories.

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