Mumbai Lonavala Trip

Recently visited Mumbai and Lonavala for a short weekend trip. Visited Elephanta Caves in Mumbai and few places in Lonavala.

One of my friend wants to visit Shirdi and Mumbai and they asked me to accompany them for language problem. We first visited Shirdi Sai baba Temple and had a Darshan. Then we boarded a bus to Mumbai. In the evening we reached Mumbai and did some shopping. Overnight we stayed in a hotel near Bandra Railway station. Next day morning we boarded a local train to Churchgate and from there we boarded a taxi to reach Gateway of India. In Mumbai Taxi was very cheap compared to Chennai Auto (?). 

Our plan was to visit Elephanta caves by boat. We bought ticket for boat Rs.150 per person and boarded a boat. They charged extra Rs.10 for climbing upper deck of the boat, but it was worth to be there. We enjoyed our boat journey by taking pictures and viewing the sea and big ships on the sea. It took around 60 minutes to reach elephanta caves. From the boat dropping point, a mini train was running to reach near the elephanta caves and they charged Rs. 10 per person. It was a jolly ride. Again we have to climb some steps to reach the monument, there is tolly service also available for old and sick persons to carry to the top. 

The Elephanta Caves is located on island hills about 11 km north-east of the Apollo Bandar, Mumbai and 7 km from the shore of the mainland, approximately covering an area of 7 km in circumference. The island is named after a colossal elephant found in the island, which is popularly known as ‘Gharapuri’. At present, the statue of elephant is housed at Jijamata Garden in Mumbai.

The Elephanta Caves can be reached by Ferry (9 nautical miles across the sea)from the Gateway of India, Visit this green island for the wonders of the 7 th century, the painstakingly hewn rock-cut cave temple, dedicated to Shiva. The Maheshamurti panel in which Shiva is shown as a creator, protector and destroyer, is a sight that should be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime. Regular excursions to Elephanta start every day from the Gateway of India. 

The Caves will be closed on Monday.

There are seven cave excavations in the Elephanta group and these are datable from circa 6th – 7th centuries A.D. Among the cave excavations, the Cave 1 is the most impressive which represents the evolved Brahmanical rock-cut architecture. The cave is also famous for the exquisite and vibrant sculptures. On plan it almost resembles the Dumar Lena (Cave 29) of Ellora. The cave has a main entrance on the north with two other openings on the east and west respectively and a central hall with six rows of pillared columns, six in each row except on the western corner, where a shrine of lingam is provided.

On plan, there are three large square recesses divided off by pilasters each of them bearing a gigantic image of a dvarapala. The panel on the east has a figure of ardhanarisvara, a form of Siva with the combined energies of male and female; and on the west figures of Siva and Parvati playing chausar is carved. The central recess holds the most famous and remarkable sculpture of this period known as the Mahesa-murti. It is a colossal bust of the three forms of Siva, the aghora, turbulent and fearsome; tatpurusha, benign and meditative and vamadeva, mild pleasing and lovable. The other notable panels in the main cave are Andhakasuravada murti; cosmic dance of Nataraja; Kalyanasundara murti; Gangadhara murti; Ravana shaking Kailasa and Siva as Lakulisa. A panel depicting Saptamatrikas near the eastern opening is also remarkable.

Entry fee: Rs. 10 per head and children up to 15 years free. We spent some time there and returned to Gateway of India around 4.00 pm. 

The Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbai. It is located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea. The structure is a basalt arch, 26 metres (85 feet) high. It lies at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg at the water's edge in Mumbai Harbour. It was a crude jetty used by the fishing community which was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat in Mumbai would have seen. The Gateway has also been referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, and is the city's top tourist attraction.

The structure was erected to commemorate the landing of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder, when they visited India in 1911. Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone for the Gateway of India was laid on 31 March 1911. The final design of George Wittet was sanctioned in 1914 and the construction of the monument was completed in 1924. The Gateway was later the ceremonial entrance to India for Viceroys and the new Governors of Bombay. It served to allow entry and access to India.

The monument has faced three terror attacks from the beginning of the 21st century; twice in 2003 and it was also the disembarkation point in 2008 when four gunmen attacked the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.

In the evening we went to Zaveri Bazaar for shopping, My friend bought imitation jewels for their business purpose. It took so much of time on shopping and in the night 11.00pm we returned to our hotel.

Next day morning we boarded a local train to dadar and boarded a express train to Lonavala. The train reached little late by 10.00 am and our cab was waiting there. We arranged a cab online from Chennai for sightseen in Lonawala and they Charged Rs.3100 for Mahaindra logan car for 1 day sightseen and drop us at Pune Airport. The driver not known certain places in Lonavala as he was a resident of Pune. He shown us some places in Lonawala and avoided some places as he said the dams was dry now and the hills / caves are too steep to climb. We seen some places and some places we missed are listed below.

Lonavala is a town and a hill station in Pune district. It is about 64 km away from the city of Pune and 96 km away from the city Mumbai. It is famous throughout India for the hard candy sweet known as chikki and is also a major stop on the rail line connecting Mumbai and Pune. Lonavala comes to life during the monsoon season as the countryside turns lush green with waterfalls and ponds.

Tiger's Leap

Tiger's Leap also known as Tiger's Point is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, giving an extensive view. Buses are available up to I.N.S. Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be covered on foot. Just around tiger's leap, there is a small waterfall active only during the monsoon. It serves the purpose of relaxing in the water better than Bushy dam, as the force of the fall is higher. Also, after the brief steep descent, the fall becomes a stream with a fair amount of force to go all the way down to the base of the Tiger's Leap. Adventurers can trek down the stream whilst intermittently stepping back on land where the water current is too strong and the fall is steep.

Rajmachi Point

Rajmachi Point is located about 6.5 km from Lonavla. This point commands a view of Shivaji's famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrakouioce) and the surrounding valley. Regular State Transport buses ply between Rajmachi Point and Lonavla from the State Transport Bus Stand. 

Valvan Dam

Valvan Dam has a garden at its foot, and is a popular evening spot 2 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.

Lonavla Lake

Lonavla Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 1.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter months.

Duke's Nose

Duke's Nose stands 12 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.

Karla Caves

Karla caves, located near Lonavla, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. A famous temple of Goddess Ekvira Devi is also present here. 

Bhushi 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.

There was some water here and there in the dams when we went there. So we skipped some points and went to Pune for shopping. By 9.00 pm the driver dropped us in airport and we boarded a flight to Chennai and reached Chennai around 12.50 in the midnight.