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This
historic city of Lonavala was first discovered by then Governor
of Bombay, Sir Elphinstone in 1811. At that time this place
was a thick forest and it had a population of handful peoples.
People had become used to staying in this jungle. Because of
this thick forest, this place became known as "Lonali". However
there is no historic evidence to support this. "Layan" in Sanskrit
means a place to rest. This word when translated in "Prakrit"
becomes "Len" meaning a resting-place carved out of
stone. "Avali" means "series" in Prakrit hence
the place around which there are a series of
such Len is called"Lonavali". This is perhaps
the origin of this word. Lonali of the past
is today known as "Lonavala". In the ancient times, Yadav Kings
ruled today's Lonavala. Later, Moghuls invaded and they ruled
for a long time. During Maratha and Peshwa rule the forts around
this area and the Maratha warriors "Mavlas"
played an important role. Sardar Dabhade was the Senapati (General) of Chhattrapati's of Satara, hailed from the nearby Talegaon Dabhade. In 1778, British
army and Raghunath Rao Peshwa together captured
Khandala Ghat. British started to rule this region in 1818.
Once Mahadji Shinde fought and defeated the
British in the battle of Vadgaon. Vadgaon near Lonavala is historically
an important place. The four children of Alandi spent their
lives on the banks of Indryani. This Indryani River originates
in Lonavala itself. Bhandara Hill and Dehu, situated closely
from here tell the tale of Sant Tukaram even today.
Karla
Caves
These
are the ancient Buddhist caves. They are in existence since
160 BC and are suppose to be the biggest among the "Chaitya
Caves". There is provision of S.T. buses from Lonavala for reaching
here. This temple of Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (C.K.P.)
and Fisher communities is thronged by devotees during Navratri
and Chaitra. The exquisite carvings created by human hands leaves
one spellbound. At the entrance, there is a small temple of
Ekvira Devi. At the entrance, there are lion pillars and inside
huge elephant forms are carved on which there are different
forms representing Gautam Buddha. Other carvings include dancing
pairs with windows every where. The entrance gate is in the
shape of a "Peepal" leaf through which one enters the
huge Chaitya griha or hall. This large hall is full of stone
pillars, which are carved with elephant and human forms. The
roof is high and semicircular. The pillars are surprisingly
very smooth. There are many resting rooms around here. These
rooms carved in the rocks are calm and ideal for meditation.
Water is available for drinking from the tanks around.
Bhaja
Caves
On the way to Pune from Lonavala the first station is Malavali.
South of this station at a distance of about 25 minutes by foot
is small town called Bhaje. On one side there is Lohagad fort
on other side Visapur fort and approximately in the center are
Bhaja Caves. They are similar to Karla Caves but are on a much
smaller scale. This caves are also in Chaitya style. The specialty
of these caves is that the rays of the setting sun visit these
caves. On the southern side, there is a place where one can
see carved figures of Gods and Goddesses.
Bedsa
Caves
 These
caves are located on Mumbai Pune road near
Kamshet, between Kadde and Bedsa. They can be reached by bus
or a truck hired from Kamshet. These caves are as big as Karla
Caves but as they are located on a side off the main road there
is not much tourist traffic here. Huge Lion
pillars and a large Chaitya hall with resting rooms is a specialty
of these caves. There are smooth pillars in the shape of lion
or human form. The sunrays fall straight on the place of prayer
here. This caves at Karla Bhaja and Bedsa which are called "Leny"
in Marathi perhaps gives the place the name "Lonali" which subsequently
changed to Lonavala. These places which are symbols of our hard
work and perseverance of our ancestors are real treasures of
Lonavala.
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