Malavli

Malavli (Marathi: मळवली) is a burgeoning town and a hill station in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is about 59 km away from the city of Pune, 101 km away from the city Mumbai and 345 km from Surat. It is a major stop on the rail line connecting Mumbai and Pune. For Mumbai suburbs local trains are available from Karjat. It is also an important town in order of Lonavla Khandala Malavli on the Mumbai-Pune road link. Both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the Mumbai-Pune highway pass through Malavli,Lonavla. Lonavla comes to life during the monsoon season as the countryside turns lush green with waterfalls and ponds. The population of Lonavla is around 10,000 as of 2010.

History

Present day Malavli was a part of the Yadava empire. 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 Mavla warriors played an important role in the history of the Maratha and Peshwa empires. In 1871, the Lonavla and Khandala hill stations were discovered by Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of Bombay Presidency during those times.

Tourism

Lonavla Khandala and Malavli are hill stations, in the Sahyadri ranges that demarcate the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan coast. The hill stations are popular holiday destinations during the monsoons. People prefer visiting Malavli in the rainy season. The name Lonavla is derived from the Sanskrit lonavli, which refers to the many caves like Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves and Bedsa that are close to Lonavla. A trip to Malavli combined with sight-seeing visits of Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves and also the two fortresses, Lohagad and Visapur.

Transport

By road: Malavli is situated on the halfway of Mumbai-Pune Expressway and is well connected to several other towns of Khopoli, Karjat, Talegaon dhabade, etc. By Air: Lonavla has its own airport used by Indian Air Force on the way to Aamby Valley city. Nearest commercial airports are Pune at 59 km and Mumbai at 109 km[4]

Places of interest around Lonavla Malavli Khandala

Rajmachi Point Rajmachi Point is located about 11.5 km from Malavli. This point commands a view of Shivaji's famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrak7ouioce) and the surrounding valley. Regular State Transport buses ply between Rajmachi Point and Lonavla from the State Transport Bus Stand. The famous Vaghjai Dari is also located here. Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan This is an extensive garden situated in Lonavla. The garden covers a lot of ground and it is full of tall trees. There is an old Shiva temple in the park. The garden has plenty of place for children to play. Valvan Dam Valvan Dam has a garden at its foot, and is a popular evening spot 7 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. Lonavla Lake Lonavla Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 6.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter months. Duke's Nose Duke's Nose stands 17 km from Lonavla, clearly visible from the highway while driving towards Mumbai. This landmark in Khandala is popular with hikers. The cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, whose ample nose it resembles. Tiger's Leap Tiger's Leap is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, giving an extensive view. Buses are available up to I.N.S. Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be covered on foot. Karla Caves Karla, located near Lonavla, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. I.N.S. Shivaji A Naval Engineering Training Base. 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 Shivaji. The fort commands a view of the surrounding hills and hamlets. Bushy Dam A waterfall near the dam is a popular spot between Lonavla and I.N.S. Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here. Lion's Point Scenic point midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley. Tungarli Lake and Dam This lake and Dam come to life during the Monsoon season, where youth climb the mountain top to the Dam. This dam was built during the British era and features a serene surrounding. Shooting Point Another scenic point in the town of Khandala (Bazaar peth), which provides magnificent view of the Rajmachi Fort and the valley. Also the home for the St. Mary's villa. Atma Santulana Village A well known clinic running as an Ayurvedic community established by Balaji Tambe. Balaji Tambe is well known for working with sound and healing too as well as other metaphysical approaches to healing. The clinic is well regarded and frequently attended by people from Germany and neighbouring countries. Bedsa Caves Though it is a well known Buddhist site the caves of Bedsa (pronounced as Béd-Sé) easily can be described as off the beaten path. Set in the rugged back drop of Sahyadri ranges, Bedsa has one of the beautifully executed Chaitya in this region dating back to 2nd century BC. Vedanta Academy The Vedanta Academy is run by the Vedanta Cultural Foundation. The Foundation has been accorded the coveted status of a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO) by the Government of India. The Academy is situated amidst the picturesque hills of Malavali,108 km from Mumbai, in Maharashtra State, India. Founded in 1988 by Swami Parthasarathy,an internationally eminent philosopher the Academy offers continual three-year residential courses on Vedanta. Visapur Fort Lohagad and Visapur are dual Forts situated near Lonavala near Malavli Station, next to Bhaje caves.The Visapur Fort is as beautiful as Lohagad. The waterfall route through which we climb to the top is simply amazing. Fortification on east side, plateau full of flowers are the key features of the Fort. Bhaja Caves Bhaja Caves are a group of 18 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BC located at Malavli, near Lonavala, Maharashtra. The location of Bhaja caves is not far from location of Karla Caves and these are stylistically similar to the Karla Caves. These caves are on a major trade route of the past that ran from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan region, the division between North India and South India

See also

• Karla Caves
• Karli
• Indian rock-cut architecture
• List of rock cut temples in India

References

• "Karka and Bhaja Caves". Retrieved 2007-03-14.

External links

• Article on Western Indian Caves, including Bhaja