8 Things To Do In Khandala On Your Weekend Getaway

by Mrunal Mahajan
8 Things To Do In Khandala On Your Weekend Getaway

Khandala is a beautiful hill station, just 3 hours from Lonavala and 82 kilometers from Mumbai. Besides being a hill station, it has its own historical significance. It was under the reign of several rulers like Maratha, Peshwa and colonial power. They all have left their mark which adds up to the beauty of this place. One of the highlights of this place is the Lohagad Fort, it is a trekker’s paradise! Check out these must-visit places in Lonavala!

1. Lohagad Fort

Lohagad Fort is the top tourist attraction in Lonavala. It is loved by trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. For someone who wants to start trekking, this could be a very good option as it is easy and does not have rocky edges or sharp turns and the view from the top is impeccable. You must visit the fort in Monsoon as the area nearby is covered with lush greenery and mighty green mountains. Lohagad also has a very rich history,  several dynasties ruled the fort, but in the year 1648 AD Shivaji Maharaj captured it.  Later, the Mughals took over the fort when the Treaty Of Purander was signed.

Credits: Treks and Trails

Also Read: Get Lonavala’s Most Famous Vada Pav At Golden Vada Pav

2. Karla Caves

Another must-visit between Lonavala and Khandala is Karla Caves. It is one of the historic spots in Khandala, Kalra Caves are a representation of Indian rock-cut culture and has a Buddhist influence. In ancient times, it known for its Chaitya Hall, which is the most well preserved are of the cave. The Chaitya hall is filled with huge symmetrical pillars, beautiful inscriptions, and fine architecture. If you are near Lonavala or Khandala, don’t miss out on this one. Lonavala Railway station is the closest to Karla Caves, from the station you can take local transportation till the caves.

Credits: Holidify

3. Kune Waterfalls

Kune Falls in Khandala is one of the most beautiful places. I must say among other tourist places, Kune is unexplored and underrated. The total height of this waterfall is two hundred meters (six hundred feet); the highest drop being a hundred meters. Kune Falls is the fourteenth highest waterfall in India. The lush green vegetation around the waterfall adds on to the scenic view. Kune Falls is a two-hour drive away (94 km) from Mumbai The waterfall is located two km from Khandala station

Credits: thrillophilia.com

Also Read: Weekend Getaway From Mumbai To The Valley Of Flowers, Kaas Plateau In Satara

5. Bhushi Lake

Bhushi Lake is a peaceful spot where you can just sit by the edge of the lake and witness the sunset. The lake is a water body formed near the Bhushi dam due to the course of the dam water. This make offers the view of majestic mountains, lush greenery, and a serene view. You must not miss coming here during monsoons.

Credits: WikiVoyage

6. Bhaja Caves

Bhaja Caves date back to the 2nd century BC and are one of the most wonderful caves in Khandala. These caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves. You must visit to know about the historic and architectural importance of this place. The carvings and inscriptions have left me stunned. After all these years, the caves are intact! If you are a sucker for structures with architectural beauty, then coming here will be worth it.

Credits: Yatra.com

7. Wax Museum

Madame Tussauds may be one of the greatest wax museums, but this museum in Lonavala started by Sunil Kandaloor is definitely worth a visit. If you like posing next to celebrities, then this one is for you. All the major celebrities, Political figures, and activists wax models can be seen here. Right from Anna Hazare to Amitabh Baccha and even Narendra Modi has visited the place. To know more about it, you can check out their website.

8. Rajmachi

Belonging to legendary King Shivaji again, this is another beautiful fort you cannot miss when you are in Lonavala Khandala Area. The Fort is surrounded by dense forests and valleys all around, making the view from the top mindblowing. And everything’s prettier in the rains. Just make sure not to slip! And take unbeatable pictures for your social media. You also get to see Shirota Dam backwaters. It is a difficult climb till the top so make sure you are wearing the right shoes.

Credits: Treks and Trails

Best Time To Visit Khandala

Khandala and Lonavala go hand in hand. The weather is pleasant here always, like Lonavala you can visit Khandala all year long too. But November and December will be nice and cold in these hilly regions.

How To Reach Khandala

You can drive to Khandala from Mumbai via the Bengaluru Mumbai Highway, it will take you approximately two hours to reach. Here are the directions for the same.

The next option is to reach Khandala by train which is a convenient, cheap and the fastest option. There are multiple trains that will take you there. Here are some of the trains that will take you to Khandala from CSMT Railway station. Deccan Express, Koyna Express, Indrayani Express, Shirdi Passenger among other trains. Time taken to reach here by train: 3 hours (approx)

If we missed out anything else, let us know in the comments! Until then, have a great trip to the wonderful Khandala!