Karla Caves at Lonavala [कारला गुफाये] Part 1

The caves located about 58 km from Pune Station and about a 100 km from Mumbai can be reached after a steep climb of around 20 to 25 min. The Karla Caves or Karle Caves are a complex of ancient Indian Buddhist rock-cut cave shrines located in Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra

The shrines were developed over two periods – from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, and from the 5th century AD to the 10th century. The oldest of the cave shrines is believed to date back to 160 BC

Ambarnath Shiv Temple [Ambreshwar]

The Ambarnath Shiv Mandir or Ambreshwar Shiva Mandir is a beautiful rock temple. It is situated 2 km away from Ambarnath(East) railway station in Maharastra, India.

It is said that Shilahara king Chittaraja constructed it, his son Mummuni rebuilt it. The temple is on the bank of Vadavan (Waldhuni) river.

The temple is Hemadpanthi styled beautifully carved on stones.

It is also believed by some people that the temple was built by the five Pandava brothers in just one night in a huge single mass of stone. But official records are not supportive to this.

This temple has 20 steps to go down in the main room called (Gabhara) there is one shivling at the center of the room.

Pooja like Rudra Abhishek can be performed on the temple premises.

on the occasion of Mahashivratri there is a big fair in the ambarnath to get blessings from lord Shiva.  Temple becomes overcrowded again in Shravan mahina(Month) to get blessings from Lord Shiva.

Backside View

The temple is made of black rock and has intrecet carvings on its many pillars.

How to reach :

Barely 30 km from Thane, near Mumbai.

Suggested routes

1. 145 km, 2 hours 8 mins

National Highway 4/NH 4 and Mumbai - Pune Expressway

2. 148 km, 2 hours 15 mins

Mumbai - Pune Expressway

3. 144 km, 2 hours 40 mins

National Highway 4/NH 4

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Pune's tallest Ganesh Statue Near Talegaon

The statue measures 54 ft in height, squatting on a 18 ft high platform, rising in all its graciousness to an imposing height of 72 ft.

The idol is  Made in reinforced concrete with copper coating, the dream project of Basant Kumar Birla and Sarala Birla was inaugurated on 17th January 2009.

The scene become even more wonderful during sunset.

How to reach :


Distance : About 30.3 k.m from Shivajinagar to Shirgoan towards Lonavala on 4NH-4. (Don’t take the expressway)

Another way : Mumbai bypass road 32.2 k.m Baner -Highway -Turn to kiwale-


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 View from Parking

Paid pairking is available at the foothills and temple is open till 8 PM in the night.

The beautifully sculpted idol of Ganesha, stands towering on a hillock astride the Pune-Mumbai express and NH-4.

Near to first toll plaza, you will see the Ganapati statue on the hill top.

About 180 steps from the base of the hillock lead to the statue.

Once you are on top of the hill; the statue looks very beautiful and majestic.

The project was designed by the famous sculptor Sri Matu Ram Verma and his son, Naresh Kumar Verma of Pilani, Rajasthan.

Time to visit : Any time of the year except afternoons in summers

View from Ganapati Morya National highway

 

Rajmachi Fort [Lonavala] - Nature’s beauty

Rajmachi is a beautiful place which consists of two beautiful peaks namely "Shivardhan" and "Manaranjan". We had gone there on 6th March 2009 and our strength was 11 youths. The best season to reach there in monsoon. Rajmachi (Udhewadi) is a small village in the rugged mountains of Sahyadri. There are two forts which were built by Shivaji Emperor during 17th century. It is a famous spot for trekking. Rajmachi fort offers an excellent nature trail with a slice of adventure

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Fact file

Height : 3600 ft
Distance from Pune : 70 km (aprox)
How to reach : Pune to Lonavala (by road or by train)
Places to see : Balekillas (Shreevardhan and Manrajan), Udaysagar pond,
Bhairoba temple, Kondhana caves
* - The entire hike will take 2 days to complete wherein u can halt at Rajmachi as they have lodge and food
      facility.    
      Places to stay: can stay at Udhewadi or at hotels in Lonavala

* - Follow the white arrow mark
* - Dont throw any waste as it is a non pollution area.
* - Its abt 3000 ft.