Unspoilt Beauty: Lonavala/Khandala
Life takes a breather every now and then. It is always not so dull and tensed. It gives us the opportunity to relax and unwind from a hectic schedule of the fast paced metropolis.
In order to relax a day after a month long bed rest, life provided me with an opportunity to appreciate the unspoilt beauty of the twin towns of Lonavala and Khandala. The weather was at its best in mid-July, the monsoons pouring their heart out for the dried parched earth.
An hour and half journey from the Pune, renamed aptly as the “Oxford of the East”, we zipped past on the Mumbai-Pune six-lane expressway. The wet tarmac on the road, the occasional downpour and the lovely lush green fields on either side, all were providing the required enthusiasm. The most fascinating part was the two tunnels, craved out of the huge mountains. Going through them seemed as if we were entering the belly of a huge whale, the inside being fitted with rows of neon lights. The middle of the expressway was full with all kinds of plants and flowers adding their own colour to the gray road.
On reaching our destination, we headed straight for the famous waterfall of Lonavala. The pouring rain did not deter our confidence, it however fueled our longing to see more and explore more. Tourists of all age, caste and nationality were enjoying the cold water of the fall; a group of students were making their way to the fall with a renewed enthusiasm. Hawkers were selling the delicious corncob, sprinkling it with salt and pepper and generously applying lemon juice on it.
Leaving the young and the old enjoying the waterfall and the corncob to the fullest, we proceeded further up the hills. As the road meandered through the hill, the sight below was marvelous!! One could see the whole of Lonavala with its pockets of water and greenery. The clouds came so low that we could almost touch it. On reaching a so called point (the driver kept mentioning the sightseeing places as “points”) we decided to join the people watching over the hills, leaning leisurely on the safety railing.
The hills all around were covered with white and gray clouds, giving an impression of a grayish white blanket wrapped around a shy adolescent. Leaning on the railing, I felt as if the time has come to a full stop. The moisture laden wind blew on our faces and the clouds swayed passed us. Beyond the railing, the mountain dropped to more than a thousand feet, water flowing in and out of the it like some cross stitched design on a piece of green cloth. It felt like a huge green canopy has been erected, sheltering the water. Far away, the water meandered its way like a sensuous maiden on its journey to meet her handsome knight. The hawkers and the tourist were having a gala time. Hot tea and spicy “kanda and aalu bhajiyas” rejuvenated us in the romantic weather.
The heart wanted to stay on and enjoy the beauty of the nature but the mind was against it. Believing the trusted mind we drove back to Lonavala leaving behind the all so refreshing air and the unspoilt beauty. As we curved our way back to the foothills, Mother Nature provided us with more sights. A lake full of rainwater could be seen on top of a mountain like a bird’s nest. It was a lovely sight!!
Capturing the beautiful images in the lens of our natural camera, we departed from Lonavala and Khandala, feeling fresh and feather light but laden with the famous Lonavala sweet “chikki”.
In order to relax a day after a month long bed rest, life provided me with an opportunity to appreciate the unspoilt beauty of the twin towns of Lonavala and Khandala. The weather was at its best in mid-July, the monsoons pouring their heart out for the dried parched earth.
An hour and half journey from the Pune, renamed aptly as the “Oxford of the East”, we zipped past on the Mumbai-Pune six-lane expressway. The wet tarmac on the road, the occasional downpour and the lovely lush green fields on either side, all were providing the required enthusiasm. The most fascinating part was the two tunnels, craved out of the huge mountains. Going through them seemed as if we were entering the belly of a huge whale, the inside being fitted with rows of neon lights. The middle of the expressway was full with all kinds of plants and flowers adding their own colour to the gray road.
On reaching our destination, we headed straight for the famous waterfall of Lonavala. The pouring rain did not deter our confidence, it however fueled our longing to see more and explore more. Tourists of all age, caste and nationality were enjoying the cold water of the fall; a group of students were making their way to the fall with a renewed enthusiasm. Hawkers were selling the delicious corncob, sprinkling it with salt and pepper and generously applying lemon juice on it.
Leaving the young and the old enjoying the waterfall and the corncob to the fullest, we proceeded further up the hills. As the road meandered through the hill, the sight below was marvelous!! One could see the whole of Lonavala with its pockets of water and greenery. The clouds came so low that we could almost touch it. On reaching a so called point (the driver kept mentioning the sightseeing places as “points”) we decided to join the people watching over the hills, leaning leisurely on the safety railing.
The hills all around were covered with white and gray clouds, giving an impression of a grayish white blanket wrapped around a shy adolescent. Leaning on the railing, I felt as if the time has come to a full stop. The moisture laden wind blew on our faces and the clouds swayed passed us. Beyond the railing, the mountain dropped to more than a thousand feet, water flowing in and out of the it like some cross stitched design on a piece of green cloth. It felt like a huge green canopy has been erected, sheltering the water. Far away, the water meandered its way like a sensuous maiden on its journey to meet her handsome knight. The hawkers and the tourist were having a gala time. Hot tea and spicy “kanda and aalu bhajiyas” rejuvenated us in the romantic weather.
The heart wanted to stay on and enjoy the beauty of the nature but the mind was against it. Believing the trusted mind we drove back to Lonavala leaving behind the all so refreshing air and the unspoilt beauty. As we curved our way back to the foothills, Mother Nature provided us with more sights. A lake full of rainwater could be seen on top of a mountain like a bird’s nest. It was a lovely sight!!
Capturing the beautiful images in the lens of our natural camera, we departed from Lonavala and Khandala, feeling fresh and feather light but laden with the famous Lonavala sweet “chikki”.
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