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| CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| LONAVALA EXCURSIONS |
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| RELIGIOUS PLACES |
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| Karla Caves |
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One of the finest examples of Buddhist rock-cut architecture, the Karla Caves, dating back to the 2nd century B.C., belongs to the Hinayana period. The caves at Karla comprise of one Chaitya, which is the largest in the country and several viharas or monasteries on a hill 150 meter high. |
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| Bhaja Caves |
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Bhaja Caves, near the Karla Caves, are a group of 18 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BC. located near Lonavala, a hill station, and Karli in the western state of Maharashtra between the cities of Mumbai and Pune in India. It is on a major trade route that runs from the Arabian Sea eastward, into the Deccan in a region that is the division between North India and South India. Viharas make up ten caves, and one is a chaitya, stylistically similar to the Karla Caves. There is also group of 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside the caves. One of the caves has some fine sculptures. Near the last cave is a waterfall which, during the monsoon season, has water that falls into a small pool at the bottom.
The chaitrya has unique reliefs of Indian mythology. Other caves have a nave and aisle, with an apse containing a solid stupa and the aisle circling round the apse, providing the circumambulation path. |
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| Lohagad Fort |
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It divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavna and is situated on a side range of the Sahyadris. Another fort called Visapur is located on its eastern side. The four large gates of Lohagad are still in good condition and reasonably intact. Historical records show that in the later Peshwa period, Nana Phadnavis (1742-1800 AD) built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well (bawali).
When it rains, the top of the fort is covered with mist and clouds and becomes particularly wet. It is advisable to carry protective gear during the rainy season (mid-June to mid-September). Further, food is not easily available on the route. Most of the food stalls sell water, poha, tea/coffee, snacks, and soft drinks. There is a wonderful view of Pawna dam from the top of the fort. |
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| Khandala |
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Situated on the Western part of Maharashtra, Khandala is a hill station which is located at a height 625 m on the Sahyadri mountain range. Blessed with bounteous beauty, Khandala is a scenic resplendent which is worth watching.
Blessed with natural beauty, Khandala is a picturesque destination to explore. Founder of the first Maratha empire, Chattrapati Shivaji, ruled the area around Khandala. Later it came under the Peshwa ruler, who founded the second Maratha empire. Finally, Khandala was taken over by the British when they defeated the Peshwas.
Tourist Attraction in Khandala
Ryewood -
This is one of the beautiful garden which is situated near Lonavala. The park has an old Mahadeo temple in the park. The place got its name after an English officer Mr Rye, which stayed in the place for quite some time. Initially it was under the care of civil dept. In 1959, Ryewood was transferred State Government's Forest Department. This garden has plenty of the place for children's play.
Shivaji Park -
Better known as the playground which was converted into garden in the year 1956. There is statue of Shri Shivaji Maharaj in this park.
Sakur Plateau: Located at a distance of 4miles, Sakur plateau is at a height of 1000 feet. The plateau is on the way to Ambavane village. It encompasses thick forests and is sparsely populated.
Rajmachi Park -
This park falls amidst Lonavala from Lonavala. The park gives a spectacular view of the surroundings. On the Eastern side there are two towers of Raimarchi fort which can be seen at the bottom of the huge valley. Rajmachi Park has a restaurant and a temple. Rajamachi Park has a children's park and host a regular bus service from Lonavala bus station. |
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| Ajanta & Ajanta and Ellora Caves |
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The most famous Ajanta and Ellora caves has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come. Hidden away from view in the middle of nowhere, or so it may seem to us today, and nestled in the hills themselves, are two magical locations where the rulers of yore thought it be would be fit to display the artistry of their time recording for posterity stories from mythology, these caves are none other than the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. There are about 34 caves at Ellora and 29 caves at Ajanta.
Ajanta Caves: : It was only in the 19th century that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills at Maharashtra and cut into curved mountain side above the Waghora river, were discovered. A group of British officers on a tiger hunt stumbled on these wonderous ancient works of art. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD.
Ellora Caves: The Ellora caves, which comprises of 34 caves in it, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill 30 kolometers from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave temple architecture, they boast of elaborate facades and house exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, were carved between the 350 AD to 700 AD. The 12 caves towards the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the center are dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. |
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RELIGIOUS PLACES IN LONAVALA |
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| Haji Ali Dargah |
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The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in Lonavala. Lying as it does in the heart of the city, the dargah is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Lonavala. Although it is a mosque and dargah, it is very popular among Hindus from Lonavala itself, other parts of Maharashtra and southern Gujarat. It is believed that praying at the dargah helps fulfill one's wishes.The Sunni Barelvi Movement of India Controls the Dargah and Masjid as is the case of most of the Masjids of Lonavala.
The dargah was built in 1631 by a wealthy Muslim merchant and saint named Haji Ali who renounced all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. Legend has it that Haji Ali died on his way to Mecca and his body, in its casket, floated back to Lonavala. However, some believe that Haji Ali drowned at the place where the dargah stands today. As many as 40,000 pilgrims visit the shrine on Thursdays and Fridays. The dargah is built on a tiny islet located 500 yards from the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, in the vicinity of Worli. The islet is linked to the city precinct of Mahalakshmi by a narrow causeway. This causeway is not bound by railings, and is lashed by the sea during high-tide. Therefore, the dargah is accessible only during low tide. This 500-yard-walk on the causeway, with the sea on both sides, is one of the highlights of a trip to the shrine. |
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| Siddhi Vinayak Temple |
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The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha. It is located in Prabhadevi, Dadar, Lonavala. It was originally built by Mr. Laxman Vithu and Mrs. Deubai Patil in November 19th, 1801. The temple has a small mandapam (hall) with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak ("Ganesha that grants your wish"). The wooden doors to the sanctum are carved with images of the Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Ganesha in Maharashtra). The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold, and the central statute is of Ganesha. In the periphery of the temple, there is a Hanuman temple as well. The Siddhivinayak Mandir evolved from a small, tiny place of worship to the Grand Temple that stands today in the later half of the twentieth century. The glory to the temple was bought not only by the politicians who frequented the temple but also numerous bollywood filmstars who continuously visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. |
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| Mahalaxmi Temple |
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Located at the seashore on the northern side of Malabar hills, Mahalakshmi temple is one of the most sacred temples in Lonavala. The temple enshrines three dieties namely Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. However, the principal diety is goddess lakshmi and hence the name Mahalakshmi temple.
History
Built around 1785, the history of this temple is supposedly connected with the building of the Hornby Vellard. It is said that when Britishers failed in their repeated attempts to connect Mahalakshmi area to Worli by building Breach Candy on account of ferocious tides, they had almost surrendered. The problem was fixed only by divine intervention when the goddess Lakshmi appeared in the dream of chief engineer and asked him to remove the three statues from the sea bed and establish them in a proper shrine. A search operation was launched to recover the statues and a temple was built. After this, the work on the vellard could be completed without a hitch. .
Inside
The Temple contains images of Goddess Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswathi. All three images are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The image of Mahalakshmi is shown riding a tiger and a demon (Mahishasur) in a tandem. Beyond the ornate gate is the shrine wherein resides the buxom goddess of Lucre -- Laxmi. The compound of this temple is abuzz with stalls selling flower garlands and pious paraphernalia. |
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| Jain Temple |
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The jain temple on Ridge Road (B C Kher Marg) on Malabar Hill is one of the most noteworthy of all jain temples in Lonavala. The opulent architecture reflects heights of artistic expression and large heartedness of enterprising Jain community who give hefty donations for religious purposes.But equally lamentable is the fact that the temple is poorly maintained.
The work on temple was completed in 1903 and it was thrown open for the use of Swetamber Jains. Over years the temple has gained much publicity and popularity and hence the temple witnesses a constant flow of devotees moving in & out throughout the year.
Inside
The temple is brightly decorated from inside and one can see intricate carvings and frescoes on the walls. These frescoes depict various events in the lives of the 24 Jain apostles or Tirthankaras. As one climbs stairs, one finds that a black marble shrine is beautifully decorated with celestial personifications of the planets, painted onto the ceiling. Jain stockbrokers walking barefoot to the temple every morning, and white-robed monks usually add to the morning hubbub at the temple complex. |
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Walukeshwar Mandir is situated at the end of the Malabar Hill, down to Back Bay. Walukeshwar, or 'sand-Lord' shrine is among the Lonavala's ancient Hindu sites.
Legend -
According to the great epic Ramayana, Rama paused here during his journey south to rescue Sita from the clutches of the evil Ravana and fashioned a lingam out of sand to worship Shiva. Folk etymology derives the name Walkeshwar from the Sanskrit name for an idol made of sand-- Valuka Iswar. As there was no water to be found for drinking, Rama pierced his arrow into the earth down to the Patal and a spring of water shot out instantly and formed the lake. The lake is, since the, came to be known as Banaganga. The Banganga tank, unremarkable hemmed in by a towering wall of apartment blocks, is believed to have been created by an arrow fired from Rama's own fabled bow.
The original Walkeshwar temple was built by the Silaharas around 1050 A.D. and is said to have contained both the lingam ferried from Benaras by Lakshman and the sand lingam crafted by Rama. Today's temple, erected in 1715 after the original had been destroyed by the portuguese, in unremarkable and best bypassed in favour of the more impressive Banganga tank, below it. The spring that feeds the tank is believed to have been created by an arrow fired by from Rama's own fabled bow.
The State Government, in recent years, has been organising Music Festival here regularly in every winter. The entire precinct is illuminated richly during his festival. |
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