Mode Of Transport - Pune To Lonavala

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Pune, situated on the Deccan Plateau near western coast, was earlier known as 'Punya-Nagiri' or 'Queen of Deccan'. The Britishers called it Poona. Now it has got its original name Pune.

Pune, second largest city in Maharashtra, has a long history. The town got its name some time in the tenth century. But it was during the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja that Pune witnessed development in every field.

Pune is known as the 'Oxford of the East' due to the presence of several prestigious educational institutions. Pune is a centre for cultural activities. This has earned the city the title of the cultural capital of Maharashtra.

Pune has several places of interests for tourists. Eighth century Pataleshwar Cave Temple, dedicated to the god of the underworld, is a marvel of rock-cut architecture. Shrimant Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Temple houses the most favourite deity of the city, the Ganesha. Osho Park is a great centre for meditation and rejuvenation.

Pune boasts of the prestigious Film institute; It has produced several top class actors to Bollywood. Aga Khan Palace, where Mahatma Gandhi ...
... was imprisoned for participating in the ‘Quit India Movement’ in 1942, is a major tourist attraction. Among other attractions are Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Shaniwar Wada, Sinhgad Fort, Saras Baug (a park), Sadhu Vaasvani Mission and Katraj Jain Temple.

The distance from Pune to Lonavala is about 64 km. Lonavala is well connected with Pune by rail and road. All the trains going from Pune to Mumbai have a stop at Lonavala. The trains, many of them express, take only little more than an hour for the journey from Pune to Lonavala.

Lonavala is on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. Buses are available on this route at short intervals. The taxi cabs charge about Rs.1500 for the trip from Pune to Lonavala.

Located in the Sahyadri Ranges, Lonavala is spread over an area of about 38 square km. The name of the city is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Lonavali’, which meant a ‘group of caves’. There are many caves in and around Lonavala.

One of famous tourist destinations in Lonavala is Tungi Fort. The other forts in the area are Koregad Fort, Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort and Visapur Fort. Many caves like Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves and the Bedsa Caves are situated in and around the town. Ryewood Park, Sausage Hills, Scorpion's Sting, Tungarli Lake and Valvan Lake are among the other attractions. Tourists can also visit religious places like the Bhairavnath Temple, Shingroba Temple (Khandala) and the Koli Temple.

The best time to visit Lonavala, situated at 625 metre above sea level, is during the monsoon and between October and May, when scenic spots become lush green and the waterfalls are in full flow.