Bhaja Caves and Falls - Lonavala, Pune

Pune Monsoon of 2012, has really been keeping us on wheels. After Alibaag, and Shirur, it was time for a trek to Bhaja caves, Lohagad fort and Lonavala; which was again an adhoc plan. This time Phani, Tara, Anmol, Anuradha, Komal, Meenal and the energetic kids Divit and Chetan were in our gang. If you are coming by road from Pune, you have to follow below route:

Pune - NH4 - Khamshet - Malavli (Just before Lonavala) - Bhaje village

If you are coming by road from Mumbai, you have to follow below route:

Mumbai - Navi Mumbai - Follow Pune Mumbai expressway - Khandala - Lonavala - Malavli

Train transport is cheaper either coming from Pune or Mumbai. Pune to Lonavala local train time table can be checked here. Lonavala to Pune local train time table can be checked here. 

Bhaja Caves Map

After four wheeler trip to Alibaug, 2 wheeler ride to Shirur, we preferred multi-wheeler train for this trip. :P We kick-started our trip with the early morning 6:30 am local, which took us to Malavli. To our luck, it started raining heavily! Tempted for hot tea and snacks, we took shelter in a small tapri outside the Malavali Railway Station. This is where we gathered some info on further route and relevant expenses. Our next vehicle was a 3 wheeler, which took us to Bhaje village, at the rate of INR 50 per auto. Unlike us, some of the groups had opted for a walk (2.5 km - 30 mins walk). 

Once you are here at the Bhaje Village, you feel like being at the entrance of heaven. The scenic beauty of place will leave you speechless for a few moments during monsoon. Shades of green, with white patches of clouds, topped with beauty of multiple waterfalls is really a treat for ones eyes. We had the chance to click some quick snaps at this place and climbing up and down the hill. What else do you wait for! Our lenses were all set to capture glimpse of this place. Further, you can see the stairs leading to Bhaja Caves. If you keep following the straight path (rather than going upstairs) you will reach Lohagad and Visapur forts. The inscritions and cave temple is declared as a protected monument, and listed in the archaeological survey of India. These caves will remind you of Karla and Bedsa Caves in Lonavala, if you've been there, and the smaller version of famous Ajanta and Ellora caves.

Bhaja Caves Timings and Fees:

9:30 am to 5:30 pm;  

Indian: 5 INR; Foreign Nationals: 100 INR

Bhaja caves consists of 22 rock-cut excavations and situated on a hilltop of Bhaja village, Maval Taluka in Pune district near Malavli. The excavations here consist of chaityagrahas, viharas and podhis. These are one of the important Buddhist centres of Hinayana faith in Maharashtra. The chaityagraha is a large hall having a stupa and 27 pillars in tow. The entrance of the hall is completely open and one can notice some interesting carvings inside the caves. 

We took some more group snaps at the smaller caves, besides the main hall. One irregular excavation is identified as a cemetery, which has fourteen rock-cut stupas, five inside and nine outside. If you keep going till the last cave, you will find yourelf near the Bhaja falls. Not to mention, it is possible only during monsoons! Some people also bathe and enjoy in this waterfall, but one should be very cautious, as some of the rocks become very much slippery. This water flow falls into a small pool at the roadside.  

Lush green meadows, mountains covered with clouds, sun playing hide n seek, cool breeze and serene climate, makes this place worth multiple visits during monsoons. There are two Maratha forts, Lohagad (Iron) fort and Visapur fort nearby hills. After enjoying quite a while at this historic place we continued our trek to Lohagad Fort. 

Visit the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra. 

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Lonavala Trip

Quote of the post: "The place to get, set and wet that covers lusk green carpet surrounded by shawl of clouds and flowing waterfalls alongwith mist." - Quote about Lonavala - Sachin Kumar Gupta
Lonavala - Jab bhi man ho chale aana. :)
Lonavla is a hill station in the Pune district. Around 64 km from Pune and 96 km from Mumbai. Both the Mumbai - Pune highway and Mumbai Pune express highway pass through Lonovala. Lonovala and Khandala are twin hill stations on the Sahyadri range, around 622m above the sea level and a popular holiday destinations during the monsoons.
This time my monsson express reached to Lonavala, This place is good round the clock of a year. But when the year clock moves to the month of July-August, it started being greener. and as the time goes on, It becomes the most amazaing place to enjoy and picnic with family, friend, and loved ones. Specially during the monsoon, people come here for the natural beauty, many waterfalls, lake, forts, and lusk green area all around.

Bushi Dam: A perfect place for picnic, zig-zag paths, and during the monsoon season, continuously flowing water. If you are expert, you can also swim across the lake. It is approx 5 KM from Lonavala railway station. You can enjoy the whole walk from station to Bushi dam being set & wet at vairous waterfalls along the way enjoying fresh-minded views. We were been to this place on Sunday, The *-wheelers were throughout the way like the bee-house (Madhumakhi chatta) Mumbaikers and Punites are crazy about this place, keeping the road jam packed during Sat and Sunday.

Lion Point: We reached to Lion point after coming back from Bushi Dam. I couldn't perform photographic sessions due to much fog. Though from here deep valley can be enjoyed during open sky. Sooner it started raining and hot snacks needed at this time to our toungue. This place is good to have snacks, Samosas, Khachodi, tea etc etc. After that we moved towards Lonavala lake, and have some good photograhs on our way.
Lonavala Lake: Lonavala Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 1.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter months. The lake is also called as the monsoon lake. It is believed that it is the originating point of the river Indrayani.

Ryewood Park: Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan; This is an extensive garden situated in Lonavala. The garden covers a lot of ground and it is full of tall trees. There is an old Shiva temple in the park. The garden has plenty of place for children to play.

For me, This place holds one of my most memorable moments spent with my family (specially nearby Pune). After that we move towards Khandala, another nearby hill station.

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