This place was immortalized by Aamir Khan when he wooed Rani Mukherji with “Aati kya Khandala?” on that beautiful night many years ago. Along with Lonavala, Khandala is one of Maharashtra’s few hill stations. Khandala happens to be one of the most popular tourist places near Pune. It occupies a big chunk of Pune tourism, as Pune is the gateway to Khandala and Lonavala. It is primarily famous as a romantic getaway in the hills, but there are other things to do as well. Here’s a bunch of places to explore at Khandala.
Rajmachi Fort
Rajmachi is actually a small village in the Sahyadri mountains. The village is home to two forts originally constructed by the Satavahanas. It was captured in 1657 by the famed Maratha warrior, Chatrapati Shivaji and then by the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb and eventually the Mughals. The fort is only accessible by trekking, around 15kms from Lonavala. It is a picturesque trek with beautiful cascading waterfalls. One can stay overnight in a homestay.
Amrutanjan Point
Located right at the start of Khandala Ghat, Amrutanjan point offers amazing aerial views of the Duke’s Nose and the town of Khopoli. It gets its name from a gigantic hoarding of Amrutanjan balm located in the vicinity. The valley below Amrutanjan Point is the perfect spot for family picnics.
Reversing Point
Originally owned by the Railway Department, Reversing Point is now a secluded, unused place which offers beautiful views of the valley below. Especially at night, the light form Khapoli present a stunning view. Close by is the Lohagad Darshan with a large statue of Veer Savarkar. With many playground rides and toys, it is a favourite for families with kids.
Tiger’s Leap
A cliff top, over a height of 650 metres in the shape of a leaping tiger! It’s about a kilometre and a half of walking from the I.N.S Shivaji Naval base. During the monsoons, a small waterfall takes shape nearby. It is popular for adventure activities like rafting and trekking. It is also a good picnic spot offering great views.
Shingroba Temple
Built in 1929 A.D, this ancient temple is located on the drive between Khandala and Khopoli. It is located at a steep bend in the road and it is customary to stop here for a quick darshan.
The best time to visit Pune is October to March.
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