Bha Bha Blogship: SHIVAM and MALAVLI

MALAVLI

Malavli 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. 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.

LONAVALA, 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..

PLACES OF INTEREST at Khandala, Lonavala, MALAVLI

Lohagad Fort (Malavli)
Lohagad (literally "Iron fort" in Marathi) is one of the many hill forts of Chatrapati Shivaji. It is situated 52 km from Pune in western India. Lohagad is at an elevation of 3,450 feet (1,052 m). 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.

It divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavna and is situated on a side range of the Sahyadris. The Visapur fort 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).
On the west side, there is a long and narrow wall-like fortified spur called Vinchukata (Marathi for Scorpion's tail; see picture) because of its shape. Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of time: Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, Mughals and Marathas.Shivaji captured it in 1648 CE, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 CE by the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji recaptured the fort in 1670 CE and used it for keeping his treasury.

Visapur Fort (Malavli)
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, plateu full of flowers are the key features of the Fort.

Bhaja Caves (Malavli)
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

Karla Caves, Ekvira Devi Temple, Karla (Malavli)
Located near Lonavla, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C.
Koli temple, a temple of the Koli (fishermen) community in Lonavala, is located outside the main chaitya of Karla caves. The tribal Goddess Aai Ekvira is the main deity here. The Koli tribes throng to this temple during special occasions like navarathri and chaitra. One can see the koli fishermen community populaces walking all through the hilly terrains to reach the temple with festivities, Koli dances and folk music.
Koli tribes offer animal sacrifices in this temple, they offer the sacrifice of goat or chickens and they believe that the tribal Goddess has majestic powers.

Bushi 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.

Pawana Dam
Pawna Lake (Pavna Lake) is an artificial lake formed by the Pawna Dam built across the Pawna River nearby Lonavala. The lake attracts many tourists due to its imposing natural ambience and cool climate. From the dam site one can view the majestic sights of Tungi, Logagarh and Tikona forts.

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.

Vedanta Academy (Malavli)
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 kms 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.

Duke's Nose or Nagphani
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.

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.

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.

Lonavala Lake
Lonavla Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 6.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter months.

Tiger's Leap
Tiger's Leap is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, giving an extensive view.

Lion's Point
Scenic point midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley.