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Khandala
is a small, yet picturesque hill-station near
Mumbai. It is situated on the western slopes of
the Sahyadris at an altitude of 625 mts. Being
close to Mumbai, Khandala is always full of tourists
and “holidayers” who want a break
from their hectic schedules. But this hill station
became known nationally only after the song ‘Aati
kya Khandala’, from the film ‘Ghulam’,
included it in its lyrics.
Khandala, and the area surrounding
it, was initially ruled by Chhatrapati Shivaji.
It then came into the hands of the Peshwas, and
was finally taken over by the British when they
defeated the Peshwas.
The Khandala of today is not
very different from the Khandala of yester-years.
Industrialization has not yet spread its roots
in this town, which is still a sightseer’s
delight. Khandala offers breathtaking views of
cascading waterfalls during the monsoon, and the
surrounding mountains spread out to the horizon.
Blessed by nature’s bounty, the hill resort
has a plethora of places of tourist attraction. |
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Rajmachi
Park |
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The
Rajmachi Park is a beautiful garden situated before
the beginning of the ghat at Khandala. It offers
a spectacular view of the surroundings. Towards
the east of this garden, two towers of the Rajmachi
Fort can be seen and at the bottom is a huge valley.
The Ghat begins from this point so many people
come to enjoy the view. There is also a children's
park here. |
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Duke's Nose |
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The
Duke's Nose is famous for rock climbing in Khandala
and an important tourist attraction. This place
is named after Duke Wellington whose pointed nose
this cliff is said to resemble. It also looks
like a hood of a snake, which is why it is also
called "Nagfani" (Hood of Snake). |
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Kune Falls |
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Kune
Fall is situated between Lonavala and Khandala.
It falls majestically from a height of more than
100 feet, and runs for many days long after the
monsoon is over, thus providings an enjoyable
opportunity to bathe in the water that flows through
the valley. This fall can be seen in Khandala
Ghat while coming from Mumbai. |
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Tiger's Leap |
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The Tiger's
leap is a special spot in this area and is named
so because when one looks carefully at the valley
from this spot, it appears as if a tiger is leaping
into the valley. This spot gives a fascinating
view of the valley and can be viewed from the
safe confines of a big hole. |
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Monkey Hill |
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Every
train that comes down from Khandala halt at Monkey
hill for brake testing. Monkey Hill is exactly
above Khopoli town and is a favorite picnic spot. |
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Reversing Station |
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The
Reversing Station once belonged to the railways
and now remains unused. During the night, this
place is illuminated with hundreds of lights,
which offers an enthralling view. |
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Others |
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Khandala
has many beautiful lakes - Tugauli Lake, Lonavala
Lake and Bhushi Lake along with a Dam called the
Walvan Dam. It also offers enchanting views of
the lush green hilly surroundings. This lovely
hill station can be enjoyed by taking a walk around,
by going for trekking trails or by just sitting
idle and relishing the surroundings around.
Shopping
Khandala is famous for fast foods. Tourists can
buy Chikkis and Jams from the hill resort. One
can also buy Indian snacks like Chiwda, Wafers
and various types of Sevs. These are very popular
with the tourists coming to Khandala. |
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Seasons to Visit |
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Weather
in Khandala is pleasant throughout the year. Summers
(April-June) are mild, while winters (November-February)
are cool. But the best season to experience Khandala
in its element is the monsoon (July-September)
when the scenic beauty surpasses all comparisons. |
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Getting There |
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Air
: The nearest airports from Khandala are the Bombay
Airport (110 kms. approx.) and the Pune Airport
(66 kms.).
Rail : The nearest railway station
from Khandala is Lonavala, which is on the main
railway line between Mumbai and Pune.
Road : Khandala is well connected
with Mumbai (approx. 4 hrs.) and Pune (approx.
21/2 hrs.) by road. |
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