Most Beautiful Places To Visit in Khandala With Family & Friends

Khandala is a serene hill station that shares proximity with the capital city of Mumbai. The beautiful mountain range of Sahyadri engulfs the northern side of Khandala and is quite famous for its pleasant weather all year round. Khandala is often regarded as nature’s heaven and there are so many beautiful places to visit in Khandala, such as breathtaking perennial lakes, picture-perfect mountains, dense green forests and mesmerizing waterfalls.

A large number of tourists visit Khandala for its adventure sports such as trekking, mountain climbing, and rock-cut climbing. Khandala is a symbolic representation of the rich culture and heritage of Maharashtra and is one of the most significant tourist destinations of the state. Khandala has over 30 tourist destinations, some of which are mentioned out here.

Popular Places To Visit In Khandala

Table of Contents

Visapur Fort

The fort of Visapur is situated upon a lush green plateau and is a very popular excursion destination for adventure lovers and nature lovers alike. The majestic fort stands tall and firm at the height of 1084 meters above sea level. It offers its visitors a panoramic view of a wide range of hills blanketed by thick greenery. The destination serves as an excellent place for trekking activities and offers its visitors a picture perfect scenery.

Also Read Why You Should Visit Visapur Fort – Architecture, History, Timings And More

It is one of the most perfect places to visit in Khandala for history buffs, nature lovers, and adventure enthusiasts. The fort was built between 1713CE and 1720CE by the first Peshwa of the iconic Maratha Empire, Balaji Vishwanath. The Visapur Fort serves as a testimony to the power and prowess of the Maratha rulers.

The Visapur Fort is a twin of the famous Lohagad Fort, but it is at a higher elevation and spanning across a larger surface area. Best time to visit is during the monsoons.

Rajmachi Fort

Rajmachi Fort is quite a popular tourist destination and is renowned for its ancient remains and strategic location. It is situated at a distance of 15km from Khandala, and it comprises of two fortresses, namely Shrivardhan and Manaranjan. It is surrounded by a vast plateau and people can spot the Bor Ghat, which was a significant trade route between Mumbai and Pune.

The fort is also known as Bale Killa and is constructed on top of the Shrivardhan Peak at the height of about 3000 feet. It was constructed at such a height to keep vigilance on the activities taking place in the Konkan Area. Today, it offers tourists a fantastic view in mid-air. The site is one of the best places to visit in Khandala for nature lovers due to its scenic beauty. The unique twin fortresses are a sight to see for any tourist.

Celebrity Wax Museum

The Celebrity Wax Museum is India’s very own Madame Tussauds. The museum has an impressive collection of not only Indian celebrities but international celebrities as well. The wax museum is founded by a wax artist named Sunil Kandaloor from Kerala.

The museum houses sculptures of Rajiv Gandhi, Michael Jackson, Kapil Dev, Amitabh Bachchan, Adolf Hitler among many other famous people. The wax statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji is the highlight of the museum.

The celebrity wax museum is located on the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway, near Kumar Resort Lonavala and is open all days of the week. The best time to visit the museum is early on in the day because the museum gets quite crowded afternoon. It is one of the most unique and fun places to visit in Khandala.

Also Read Best Places To Visit in Lonavala for an Incredible Holiday

Pavana Lake

The Pavana Lake has been formed by the Pavana Dam which is built across the Pavana River. It is an artificial lake which allows tourists to enjoy a view of Tunga, Lohagad and Tikona Forts. The lake is located at Kamshet and is the preferred picnic destination for tourists.

Tourists can take part in adventurous activities such as row boating and motor boating within the lake. The lake is situated at a distance of 14km from Lonavala. The best time to visit the lake is during the winter or spring season.

Lohagad Fort

The fort lies at an altitude of 1,052 meters and is one of the most popular tourist destinations near Khandala. It is one of the many hill forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji but what makes this fort unique is that it divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavana. It lies on the side range of the Sahyadris and is guarded by four large gates.

The fort’s name meant Iron Fort and was used by all dynasties which ruled over the Maratha and Vidharbha Kingdoms. The fort lies at a distance of 15km from Khandala and offers visitors a real trip down history lane. Structures such as the tomb within the fort and a cave located outside it make it an exciting tourist attraction. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Khandala.

Bhaja Caves

The Bhaja Caves are a collection of 22 rock cut caves that were built way back to the 2nd century BC. The caves are located in the Pune district near Lonavala. The caves lie 400 feet above the Bhaja village. The caves have inscriptions and the temple which are protected as a Monument of National Importance.

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The caves have many stupas which add to the uniqueness of the caves and makes it an even more exciting place to visit. The Vihara (Cave XVIII) has a pillared verandah which is adorned with different reliefs. The caves represent early indications of the awareness of wooden architecture.

Bhushi Lake

The lake is located at 15km from Khandala on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Highway. The lake offers serenity to its visitors, and its calm waters provide people the stillness they are looking for. The spot is a great picnic destination and is ideal for families, friend’s groups and children to visit. The lake also has picturesque waterfalls that surround it, and the scenery is breath-taking.

The Bhushi Lake attracts the most number of tourists during July and August since the monsoon rains make fill up the lake and the ambiance is just magical during this time of the year. The various food stalls near the lake, serve delicious food and there are also many shops that sell rubber merchandise in this location.

Although a visit to Khandala is refreshing all year long, the monsoon is the time when this beautiful hill station attracts the most number of tourists. It is during this season that the site is in full bloom and the scenic beauty unravels in all of its glory. On the other hand, the period between October-March offers a pleasant climate to tourists and is an excellent time for those people who love the winter chills.

So, don’t wait any longer. Plan your trip and pack your bags to experience Khandala and its rich cultural and architectural heritage.

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