Lonavla

Introducing Lonavla

Lonavla, 106km southeast of Mumbai, caters to weekenders and conference groups coming from the big city and is promoted by the local tourist board as a ‘hill resort’. This is a bit of a misnomer – there are certainly no soaring peaks in the background or precipitous drops to peer fearfully over, but the surrounding countryside is relatively pretty, if a little overdeveloped, and the air cooler and less humid than Mumbai. Lonavla is a long way off being an attractive town – its main drag consists almost exclusively of garishly lit shops flogging chikki, the rock-hard nut brittle sweet that is made in the area. But Lonavla does have one very worthwhile calling card – the nearby Karla and Bhaja Cave Temples, which after those of Ellora and Ajanta, are the best in Maharashtra.

Hotels, restaurants and the main road to the caves are a short walk north of the train station (exit from platform 1). Most of Lonavla town, which includes a busy market, is south of the station.

Change money in Mumbai or Pune as none of the banks here deal in foreign exchange. Internet access is available at Balaji Cyber Café (1st fl, Khandelwal Bldg, New Bazaar; per hr Rs 20; 12.30-10.30pm), immediately south of the train station.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009