destination weddings in lonavala: love in the clouds

Lonavala is a famous and much romanticized hill station near Mumbai. It is well known to most Mumbaikars and has been extensively referenced and featured in Hindi movies. Over the years, Lonavala has gained a sterling reputation for being the quintessential hill station in the west due to its characteristic geography and kitsch experiences. Lets take a closer look at this famous destination and the advantages of hosting a destination wedding in Lonavala.

Located about 100 kilometers from Mumbai, visitors can reach Lonavala in about 2-3 hours, making it a convenient place to go for weekends. Its substantial elevation of 2000 feet ensures that the climate and landscape is a welcome change from the metropolis and flatlands of Maharashtra. Besides a change in scenery, the hills station also has a lot of interesting sites to see and a well-developed tourism industry to make visitors feel welcome.

The Caves around Lonavala

The name Lonavala comes from 2 words: “leni” which means “caves” and “avala” which means “series.” This refers to the many caves and cave systems in the hills around Lonavala, which are perhaps the most distinct and interesting feature of this popular hill station. These hills are extremely interesting to explore and home to some amazing ancient structures cut out of the rock.

The most intriguing of these caves include the so called Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves and Bedsa, which have intricate Shrines, Halls and Sanctuaries made with breathtaking beauty and mindboggling techniques. These structures were created well before 100 BC and are so well built that archaeologists and historians are still unable to explain how they were constructed.

Things to do in Lonavala

Besides the caves of Lonavala, there are a number of other interesting places to visit. Depending on your interests, you can visit majestic forts, natural waterfalls, scenic look out points, adventure parks, lakes, temples and more. Lets take a look at 3 best places to visit:

1. Kune Falls: A multi-tiered waterfall located close to Bushi Dam, Kune Falls is a popular and beautiful place to visit for youngsters and adults alike. In the monsoons, the waterfall is at its most energetic and there are many food stalls and chai shops where visitors can congregate and get refreshments.

2. Lohagad Fort: This is a truly impressive fort located close to Lonavala. Its name literally means “Iron Fort” and it ‘s tall walls and unimpeachable defenses are testament to the impressive architectural skills of ancient Maharashtran builders. The history of the fort is very interesting to learn while the physical structure is ripe for exploration by foot.

3. Bhaja Caves: A must visit historical monument if you come to Lonavala, the Bhaja Caves are beautiful works of art that speak volumes about past civilizations and the rich cultural heritage of the nation. The Bhaja caves are a set of 22 different caves that are a common site for pre-bridal and wedding photo-shoots. The artwork at these caves is mesmerizing and can be perused at leisure.

Why get married in Lonavala

Lonavala is associated with romance, leisure and mystery. It is the place where lovers go when they want to escape Mumbai or Pune and spend time with their partner in a beautiful setting. What better place to tie the knot than a city that is made for lovers? The views are enthralling and the air is crisp and cool while its relative seclusion makes it a peaceful and serene abode where love can blossom.

In fact, many weddings including celebrity weddings have taken place here and the hill station remains a popular destination for all kinds of events for folks and organizations based in Mumbai and western Maharashtra. Recently, some amazing new resorts have opened up here, elevating it to world-class status. These new resorts are ideal for hosting star-studded events that are sure to be spectacular in every way.

Where to get married in Lonavala

If you are thinking of hosting a destination wedding in Lonavala, one resort comes to mind. This is the amazing Visava Grand, a brand new resort that is making waves in the hospitality industry for its superb planning, excellent service and innovative experiences. The architecture and design of this resort lends itself to picture perfect weddings.

The Grand Visava, Lonavala is conveniently located next to the Mumbai-Pune Express Highway and offers easy entry and exit for guests. The hotel also has some stunning venues where one can organize grand parties and functions. There is ample parking space for even the biggest wedding while the kitchen is perfectly attuned to large gatherings. The hotel is well versed in weddings and offers some of the best destination wedding packages in Lonavala.

The hotel also has 33 well-appointed rooms and 5 palatial suites that can easily accommodate all the wedding guests and some stunning locations and banquet halls that can create the perfect ambience for a youngsters party, dance party, solemn function or intimate ceremony. With all the standard facilities like an in-house restaurant, gym, swimming pool, bar and more, this is one of the best wedding venues in Lonavala for a tasteful wedding ceremony.