Khandala, the twin hill station of Lonavala, is a picturesque hill town located in Maharashtra. Blessed with the tantalizing hillocks and serene surroundings, it is seen as an ideal holiday destination and a weekend getaway by many. Holidaymakers on a large scale swarm to Khandala.Well, thats not all. This beauteous hill town is simply ethereal. It houses exquisite attractions that never fail to lure tourists. The holidaymakers relish each and every moment spent at Khandala. Since it is an ideal weekend getaway for many, visiting some astounding destination is a must. The beauteous hillocks, ancient forts, valleys, and serene lakes, ah, dont you think it is an ideal place to succumb to nature? Yes! Cool. Many think the same. So, heres a list of places where you can enjoy a great vacation or a weekend holiday.
Located between the twin hill stations of Khandala and Lonavala, the fort of Rajmachi is a beautiful architectural splendor. Beckoned by the serene Sahyadri hills, this fort is a major tourist attraction. Its fortification houses 2 forts namely Shrivardhan fort and Manaranjan Fort. Due to its complex location, it can be reached by a short trek through the green hillocks. Reaching atop of this fort allows you to witness a panoramic view of the breathtaking landscape around it.
First of all, its not a triangular pyramid. Let us tell you about this amazing and must-see destination in Khandala. Tikona Fort is a well-known destination located in Khandala. It rests on a triangular hillock that resembles a pyramid, thus, the fort derives its name from there. Tikona Fort was the ruling seat of the great Maratha clan. Many battles were fought to conquer this fort but all attempts were unsuccessful. Till date, this enchanting fort hasnt lost its charm to ensnare globetrotters. A Shiva temple is also located inside the premises of Tikona Fort.
Located in the Western Ghats, Korigad Fort is another must-see attraction in Khandala. The puissance of the Maratha clan is buried in the walls of this majestic hill fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji and his army didnt miss any chance to annex this fort into their kingdom from the Mughal Empire. At present, this fort is a popular trekking site and attracts enthusiastic trekkers on a vast scale. After reaching atop the Korigad Fort, you can also see the ancient temple that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
Relax, there arent tigers lurking around here. The lush green surroundings covered under a blanket of mist lure tourists to the beauteous Tiger Valley. This place has a soul soothing ambiance that is enough to tranquilize anyone! Theres a waterfall located amid the hillocks of Tiger Valley and it is said that the waters of that spring have medicinal qualities and can heal skin ailments.
Would you like to visit the caves that date back to the 2nd century? Come to us as we head towards the alluring Bhaja Caves. Adorned with the Buddhist scriptures and carvings, Bhaja Caves are Buddhist caves located in Khandala. When youll enter these caves, you can spot the earliest signs of the emergence of Buddhism in Maharashtra. Surprisingly, Lord Buddha is depicted in carvings and no paintings exist in the cave!
Valvan Dam aka Walwan Dam, wait, how a water dam can be an attraction of a place? Chill, well tell you about it. Valvan Dam stands at a height of 85 feet on the Indrayani River and was built as a part of the hydroelectricity project in Maharashtra. Since it is located in a beauteous location, it serves as a delightful picnic destination. People can be seen spending a playful time near the area of Valvan Dam, especially on weekends.
Bhushi Lake is an artificial reservoir that is formed due to the construction of Bhushi Dam. Bhushi Lake is an exquisite location to spend some time away from the noisy environment of the city. Its serene surroundings and a calm ambiance make it the place where one can succumb to nature. Navigation and swimming in the lake are prohibited because of the depth of Bhushi Lake. So, be a good traveler and abide by the rules.
The sight of a temple adjacent to a hill is usually rare. Similarly, the temple of Shingroba is one amid those rare sites of the temple standing next to a hill. Shingroba Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to a local Goddess who is considered as a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. The local people have deep faith in this shrine and they can be seen making their offerings often.
We arent lying but, the name sounded weird to us as well. Reversing Station used to be an active railway junction in the bygone times. It was developed by Britishers but, after the war with Marathas, this station became a secluded spot as trains never ran on this route afterward. At present, Reversing Station is a famous photo shoot location in Khandala and if you are planning for a pre-wedding photoshoot, we say this location can be a good option.
Bhairavnath Temple is a popular temple located in a beautiful location of Khandala. This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, a form of Lord Shiva. It is surrounded by lush green vegetation and hillocks that enhance the serenity of its spiritual ambiance. For the followers of Shaiva sect, this shrine isnt less than Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. On the occasion of Shivaratri, Bhairavnath Temple gets flooded with devotees.
As we told you, Khandala is simply beguiling. Its beauty bewitches visitors. And not to forget about the panoramic views, they are a feast for the eyes. Also, Nah, telling more about it will ruin the craze. So peeps, you should visit Khandala yourself.