Lonavala Tourism

History of Lonavala

Lonavala has taken its name from the Sanskrit words - Len and Avali, where ‘Len’ refers to a stone-carved resting place, and ‘Avali’ means series. Hence ‘Lonavli’ in Sanskrit basically translates to “a place which has a series of carved stone resting places”.

Customs, Religion And Language Of Lonavala

Almost all the people in Lonavala follow Hinduism. However, people of all religions are welcome here. Lonavala is a retreating spot for all peace lovers, therefore you will find people from different religions coming and staying at Lonavala. Apart from Hindus, Lonavala also houses the Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Jains and Sikhs. Since most of the people in Lonavala are Maharashtrians, the most common language spoken by the Lonavala people is Marathi. Apart from Marathi, many people speak in Hindi, Guajarati, Urdu, English and other languages.

Nightlife in Lonavala

Lonavala offers a host of attractions for all the nocturnal tourists coming here. You can either sit and have some delicious food items or just stop by for a refreshment at any of the cafes or bars or nightclubs in Lonavala. Some of the best places to enjoy a vibrant nightlife in Lonavala are :

Pawna Lake - it is one of the loveliest places to visit in Lonavala at night. It is an artificial lake surrounded by lush forests, and is located only at a distance of 15 kilometres from the city.

Tavern Bar - it is one of the liveliest places to hang out with friends in Lonavala. Located in the Fariyas Resort, Tavern bar offers a laid-back environment with good food and drinks.

Volcano Club - it is one of the many famous nightclubs in Lonavala where you can spend a night enjoying the live music, delectable dishes, and energetic dancing. If you are coming to Lonavala with friends, you must visit at least once.

Honeymoon In Lonavala

Lonavala in Maharashtra is also considered as one of the picturesque honeymoon destinations. If you are coming from Maharashtra or nearby cities, you can easily spend a couple of days in solace. There are so many places to visit such as Tiger Point, Bushi Dam, Lonavala Lake and so on. You can spend your evenings taking a walk around the Lake or going on a short trek for a more romantic experience.

1 Day Tour In Lonavala

Lonavala is located only 96 kms away from the city of Mumbai. If you are planning a day’s trip to Lonavala, you will have plenty of time to explore the nearby places as well as some of the major attractions here. You can easily reach here by car or a hired cab. Some of the major attractions which you will be able to easily cover in Lonavala on a day’s trip are Karla Caves which will take a time duration of 1-2 hours. It is one of the well-known historical places in Maharashtra. Next, you can cover Bhaja Caves, Lohagad Fort and Pawna Lake which will require a cumulative time duration of 4-5 hours.

2 Day Tour In Lonavala

On a two-day tour of Lonavala, you can easily cover at least ten famous places of attractions. You can easily begin by visiting Karla Caves and then moving on to Lion’s Point, Tiger’s Leap, Bhushi Dam, Rajmachi Point and Duke’s Noise Point. During the afternoon, you can stop for a couple of hours for lunch or refreshment. You can resume sightseeing in Lonavala in the second half by visiting places such as Celebrity Wax Museum, Bhaja Caves, Lohagad Fort and Pawna Lake.

Things to Buy in Lonavala

On a visit to Lonavala, do not forget to get the top souvenirs while returning home. Some of the best things to buy in Lonavala are Fresh Chikki, handcrafted mementos and the classic keychains.

Famous Food in Lonavala

Some of the popular dishes and snacks which you must try during a tour of Lonavala are the chola bhaturas, butter chicken and chocolate fudge. You must also try Maharashtrian usal, which is made out of curried sprouted lentils and beans. For a perfect vegetarian experience, try the traditional Maharashtrian thali.

Places to Stay in Lonavala

Lonavala offers all types of stays for its visitors - luxury, budget, hostels and so on. While the hotels and stays are scattered all over and around Lonavala, some of the recommended areas for stay include Pavana Dam, Railway station, old Pune-Mumbai highway, ST Lonavala and Tungarli.

Top Places To Visit In Lonavala

Lonavala is located in the Sahyadri mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, some 624 metres above sea level. This makes it one of the best hill stations in Maharashtra. But Lonavala is not an independent hill station here, instead one of the twin hill stations of Maharashtra - Lonavala and Khandala. Check out all such places which can be covered during a tour of Lonavala.

Tiger’s Leap - It is a famous tourist attraction in Lonavala which offers gorgeous views from an altitude of 650 metres. Visit this point and the Echo Point where you can recreate the childhood nostalgia of listening to your own echo. Tiger’s Leap is true to its name as you it seems like a tiger leaping into the valley.

Bushi Dam - It is a major tourist attraction in Lonavala. Located at a distance of only 3 km from the city centre, it frequented by tourists mostly during weekends or one-day trip. During monsoon, the dam is in full pace, and offers stunning views from the spot.

Lonavala Lake - It is a popular tourist spot in Lonavala which is located at a distance of 64 km from Pune and 96 km from Mumbai. Lonavala Lake is famous for a few things such as production house of chikki and a railway line that connects Mumbai and Pune.

Celebrity Wax Museum - It is an interesting place of attraction in Lonavala for tourists. Here, you will find wax statues of famous celebrities, sports personalities and more. Visit the Wax Museum for fun and entertainment.

Sri Narayani Dham Temple - It is religious site of importance for a number of tourists. Sri Narayani Dham Temple is located at a distance of 2 km from Lonavala Railway Station in the Dhankawadi area of Lonavala. Goddess Narayani is the deity here, and people come from different parts of the country to seek blessings.

Visit Lonavala to escape the humdrum or hustle-bustle of life, and get lost in its serene yet energising environment. It is an ideal place to visit with friends, family or spouse. You can also plan a solo trip to Lonavala for a unique experience.