Khandala Sightseeing
Rajmachi Point
You will get to see the Rajmachi point on your way to Khandala from Mumbai. Located at a distance of about 11.5 km from Khandala, this point guarantees a magnificent view of the renowned Rajmachi Fort (Royal terrakouioce), situated by Shivaji. The pristine areas surrounding the fort is also revealed from the Rajmachi Point. Regular buses are available from Khandala to Rajmachi point. The Vaghjai Dari, nearby the Rajmachi Point serves to further enhance its appeal.
Ryewood Park and Shivaji Udyan
If the hills and valleys enthrall the grown ups, the children find their share of enjoyment in the Ryewood park and Shivaji Udyan. The presence of staggering trees along with the open expanse appeal to the children and add the fun quotient in their stay in Khandala. The swings set in the park makes it further friendly and appealing to the kids. A small Shivaji temple located inside the park is also paid a visit by hundreds of travelers.
Valvan Dam
Built across the Kundali river, the Valvan Dam has a garden at its foot and is a favorite picnic spot for the tourists about 2 km from the town. It provides power to the Khopoli power station, situated at the foothills of the Sahyadri region. The Valvan Dam has also given rise to the Valvan river, an important picnic spot for the tourists.
Khandala Lake
Located about 1.6 km from the main town, the Khandala lake is home to beautiful and pristine surroundings. Being seasonal in nature, this lake is said to dry up in the months of winter.
Duke’s Nose
Placed at a distance of 12 km from the town of Khandala, you cannot miss this little cliff on your way towards Mumbai. Named after the well defined nose of the Duke of Wellington, the Duke’s Nose is a great favorite amongst the hikers and trekkers, it is also home to beautiful scenic beauty.
Tungarli Lake
The Tungari Lake is accountable for water supply to the majority of the small towns in the hills of Maharashtra, like Khandala and Khandala.
Tiger’s Leap
Tiger’s Leap, as the name indicates, is a cliff that observes a drop of over 650 meters, giving a bird’s eye view of the entire region. Though buses ply till I.N.S. Shivaji, the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be traveled on foot.The Tiger’s Leap is also qite famous for a small waterfall that comes to life only in the months of Monsoons. The force of the water is greater here than the Bushy Dam. So, tourists flock down here with the sole objective of relaxing in water. After a brief descent, the fall turns itself into a stream that gushes down to the base of the Tiger’s Leap with a considerable force. This opens up a golden opportunity for the trekkers and adventurers who find it immensely exciting to follow the trail of the stream that finally lands them at the foot of the Tiger’s Leap.
Shivlinga
Though from outside the Shivlinga might appear to be a low profile and a comparatively less attractive viewpoint of the surrounding valleys of the Tiger’s Leap, the panoramic beauty of the natural scenery that it offers is capable of leaving any traveler begging for more.The mountain containing the Shivlinga( the statue of Shiva), also known as Sayambhu, is a place of interesrt to the tourists. Along with the scenic view, it also has tea and snacks stalls for the tourists.
Karla Caves
Khandala is home to the largest cave temple in India. These artistically cut out rock enclaves are assumed to have been built by the Buddhist Monks of the second or third century B.C. Through the various inscriptions and stupas that are present in the caves, the unique style of Buddhist culture and architecture is explicitly revealed.The inner shrines of the Karla caves, comprises of Chaityas, or prayer halls and Viharas or the dwelling places of the Buddhist Monks. The door to the Chaitya is adorned with an arch in the shape of a horse shoe. Another significant architectural specialty of the Karla Caves is the is a lion column at the front, with a closed stone facade and torana in between.
The Karla Caves are one among the last remnants of the rock cut caves in India. With its exquisite and unique look, the caves attract many art enthusiasts and admirers of craftsmanship.
Bhaja Caves
The Bhaja Caves, like the Karla Caves are the finest example of a complex of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 B.C., near Khandala. Stylistically the Bhaja Caves have a lot in common with the Karla caves. Both share a grandeur of style, with the repetitive motif being the enlarged horseshoe. The most notable featyre of the Bhaja caves is the set of 14 stupas- five inside and nine outside with irregular excavation.
Lohagad Fort
The Lohagard Fort is also known amongst the public as the ‘Iron Fort’. Built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , this fort can be best accessed by a momentious climb of 11.2 km from the Malavali Railway Station. It commands an astounding view of the surrounding terrain and is particularly beautiful during the Monsoons.The most interesting and at the same time inaccessible part of the cave is the ‘Vinchoo Point’, that resembles the tail of the scorpion.
Bhushi Dam
Located against a gallery of rocky terrain that gets encased in an envelope of lush greenery, the Bhushi Dam is a much desired place for the picnic lovers in Khandala. However, the best time to pay this dam a visit is the Monsoons when the river along the Dam gets full and it is a sheer delight to watch the water gushing out of the dam though the pleasant picture of the dam acts as a balm to the urban souls, swimming is not allowed here.
Tikona Fort
Whether you are a lover of art and architecture, an enthusiast of historical monuments or justa curious tourist, the Tikona Fort will satisfy all your needs.The literal meaning of the word ‘Tikona’is a traiangle. This fort, also known as Vitandgad fort resembles a triangle in its basic plan. The Tikona Fort, the major hill fort in and near Khandala, has seen a number of historical bloodbaths. A notable attraction of the Fort is the grand and majestic entrance.
The Tikona Fort offers a spectacular view of the nearby forts of Visaput, Tung and Lohagard. It also enshrines within its complex the temple of ‘Trimbakeshwar Mahadev’, a lake and the Satvahan caves.
Celebrity Wax Museum
The celebrity wax museum is a novelty in the quiet town of Khandala. Found by Sunil Kandaloor, a talented wax artist from Kerela. Wax statues of Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachhan, Shahrukh Khan and other famous personalities like Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Mother Teresa, Sai Baba are some among the famous personalities, the silhouettes one can find in this Wax Museum.