Lonavala

The name Lonavala derives from Leni (Prakrit, A resting place carved from stone) and Avali (Prakrit, series). Lonavali in Prakrit is a place which has a series of such Lenis around it.

Present day Lonavala was a part of the Yadava dynasty. Later, the Mughals realized the strategic importance of the region and kept the region for an extended time. The forts in the region and the "Mavala" warriors played an important role in the history of the Maratha Empire and that of the Peshwas. In 1871, the Lonavala and Khandala hill stations were discovered by Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of Bombay Presidency at the time.[2]

As of 2011 India census,[3] Lonavala had a population of 57,698. Males constituted 53.47% of the population and females 46.53%. The sex ratio in Lonavala is 870, lower than the state average of 929. Lonavala has a literacy rate of 89.33%, which is higher than the state average of 82.34%. The Male literacy rate is 93.4%, and the female literacy rate is 84.57%. 10.37% of the total population in Lonavala is of children under 6 years of age.

Lonavala and the adjacent Khandala are twin hill stations 622 metres (2,041 ft) meters above sea level, in the Sahyadri ranges that demarcate the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan coast. The hill stations sprawl over an approximate area of 38 square kilometres (15 sq mi). Tourism peaks during the monsoon season. The name Lonavala is derived from the words 'leni' which means caves and 'avali' which means series. i.e. 'a series of Caves' which is a reference to the many caves like Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves and Bedsa that are close to Lonavala. A trip to Lonavala and Khandala can be combined with sight-seeing visits of Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves and also the two fortresses, Lohagad and Visapur. Another place of interest is the Tungi fort, one of the forts captured by Malik Ahmad near the village of Karjat and was known for its natural strength.[4] The Andharban trek begins from village Pimpri, passes through dense forests, valleys and waterfalls and ends in Bhira.

• Rajmachi Point

Rajmachi Point is located about 6.5 km from Lonavala. This point commands a view of Shivaji maharaj's fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrakouioce) and the surrounding valley. Regular State Transport buses ply between Rajmachi Point and Lonavala from the State Transport Bus Stand. The Vaghjai Dari is also located here.

• Rajmachi Fort

Rajmachi Fort is a historic fort close to Lonavala and attracts a lot of trekkers during the monsoon season. The fort also comprises two other forts - Shrivardhan Fort and Manaranjan Fort. Besides, the fort is known for the fireflies that lit up the surroundings in night

• Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan

This is an extensive garden situated in Lonavla. The garden has a number of tall trees - some of which are very old. There is an old Shiva temple in the park.

• Valvan Dam

Valvan Dam is a Britisher built garden and is more than a century old. This dam has a garden at the foot of its wall, and is 2 km from the town. The dam supplies water to the Khopoli power station at the foothills of the Sahyadris for generating electricity. The Kundali River feeds into the dam's reservoir.

• Della Adventure Park

Della Adventure Park is India's largest adventure park situated in Lonavala hill station. It is a big theme park/resort. It also serves as a corporate training destination for companies in Mumbai & Pune. The park has spread over an area of 36 acres. It is located at about 3000 feet height above MSL (mean sea level). Della Adventure Park offers close to 52 adventure activities.

• Lonavala Lake

Lonavala Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 1.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter and summer months offering an expanse of green grass which is used by walkers and joggers. This place attracts tourists for its street food, including convenience food items like smoked corn on the cob, shaved ice (gola), vada pav, chaat, and hot ginger tea.

• Duke's Nose

Duke's Nose stands 12 km from Lonavla, clearly visible from the highway while driving towards Mumbai. This landmark in Khandala is visited by hikers. Also known locally as Naagphani (Cobra's Hood), the cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, whose ample nose it resembles.[8]

• Tiger's Leap

A place near Tiger Point

Tiger's Leap also known as Tiger's Point is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, giving an extensive view. Buses are available up to INS Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be covered on foot. Legend has it that while being chased by a tiger once, the Maratha Empire king Shivaji jumped into a ditch on the hill and the tiger leaped off it into the valley giving it the name of tiger's leap.

Just around tiger's leap, there is a small waterfall active only during the monsoon. It serves the purpose of relaxing in the water better than Bushi dam, as the force of the fall is higher. Also, after the brief steep descent, the fall becomes a stream with a fair amount of force to go all the way down to the base of the Tiger's Leap. Adventurers can trek down the stream whilst intermittently stepping back on land where the water current is too strong and the fall is steep.

• Karla Caves

Karla Caves, located near Lonavala, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. A temple of Goddess Ekvira Devi is also present here.[9]

• Lohagad Fort

A robust climb of about 11.2 km from Malavali railway station takes you to the 'Iron Fort', once a formidable battle-station of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort commands a view of the surrounding hills and hamlets.

• Visapur Fort

Adjacent to the Lohagad fort lies the visapur fort which is part of the Lohagad-Visapur fortification. Visapur Fort is larger and at a higher elevation than its twin- Lohagad. It was built during 1713-1720 CE by Balaji Vishwanath.

• Bhushi Dam

A waterfall near the dam is located between Lonavala and I.N.S. Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here.[10]

• Lion Point

This is a viewpoint midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley which overlooks a deep valley and mountains known for its roasted corn and onion fritters. This point does not have any lions but is named so because it is associated with the Lions Club of Lonavala.

• Narayani Dham

Narayani Dham is a temple constructed in 2002 in honor of the Hindu Goddess Narayani. It is at a distance of 2 km from the Lonavla railway station. The temple has idols of Durga Mata, Salasar Balaji (Hanuman) and Ganapati housed in a marble structure.

• Tungarli Dam

This lake and Dam comes to life during the Monsoon season, where some people climb the mountain top to the Dam. This dam was built during the British era and features a serene surrounding of trees and hillocks.

• Shooting Point

Another viewpoint in the town of Khandala (Bazaar peth), provides views of the Rajmachi Fort and the valley. Also the home for the St. Mary's villa.

• Seven villas

One of the most iconic plots in Lonavala, seven Villas is an iconic landmark of the new developing Lonavala.

Some major educational institutes in Lonavala are:

• The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala
• Ryewood International School, Lonavala
• Gurukul High School (boarding school)
• Auxilium Convent School
• Don Bosco School and Junior college, Lonavala
• Adv Bapusaheb Bhonde High School, Lonavala
• Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies (SIMS)
• Kohinoor Business School-Kohinoor Global Campus
• Sinhgad Technical Education Society campus KG TO PG
• DC High School and Jr. College
• Dr. B.N. Purandare Vidyalay High School
• Institute For Future Education Entrepreneurship And Leadership
• V.P.S. HighSchool
• D.P. Mehata Jr College
• Kaivalyadhama Health and Yoga Research Center
• Kendriya Vidyalaya, INS Shivaji, Lonavala
• Sadhana Institute, Old Khandala Road, Lonavala
• Kaivalya Vidya Niketan, Kaivalyadhama Lonavala. CBSE Board
• The Great Eastern Institute Of Maritime Studies, Lonavala
• Society of Saint Mary Virgin in India, Shanti Sadan School Lonavala [11]

• 
  A waterfall on the way to Lonavala.
• 
  View of Western ghats, from Rajmachi
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  Tiger point during the rainy season
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  Bhushi Dam - Lonavala

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lonavla.

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Lonauli.

• Lonavla travel guide from Wikivoyage