About 3 hr train ride from Thane, Deolali has become mini Kutch. There is an air force cantonment in the area. It has almost all the facilities that you get in a city and also a village like feeling if you drive 15-20 min. away from Deolali/Nasik. I am sure many of you must have been to Deolali. Lam road is the main road on which many sanitoriums are there. Popular among Kutchis are “Devji Khetsi†and “Devji Ratansiâ€. Now many Kutchi families even own their apartment in a society or even a bunglow.
There are many places one can visit from here. Few places where we have been:
Khandoba Tekri : There is a small temple on the Tekri and a park at the bottom of the hill.
Dada Saheb Udhyan: They have a nice park and a fountain show at night. Also a Buddha temple. It is at the bottom of a hill from where you can go to Pandav Leni caves.
Pandav Leni : They are caves – Buddha monasteries. It’s 20 min trek ( with proper stairs) up to the caves.
All above places are about 20 min away from our Popular sanitoriums.
Garghoti museum of minerals and stones: We have not been here. But have heard very good reviews.
DharmaChakra : It is uniquely located among the foothills of few mountains. On the way to Deolali while going by road — it comes about an hour before you reach Deolali.
Gajpantha: It is another Tirth about 30 min away form Deolali. One has to climb a flight of high steps to reach to the top. Haven’t been here but again have heard good reviews.
MuktiDham is another popular temple with all Hindu Gods in Nasik. One can also visit the market are here.
People also go to Shirdi from Deolali.
In our recent trip to Deolali, we visited farms where Dudhi, Spring Onion, Wheat, Cilantro, green and purple grapes, Guava crops were grown. Grapes and guava are the main crops of Nasik.
There is a bicycle rental shop on Lam Road. We had rented bicycles for 2 days and kids had fun riding it in the senatorium. Also a very famous and very old Health Juice Center is there outside “Devji Khetsi†sanitorium.
In short – Deolali is a very popular place for relaxation and getting a short break from Mumbai.
Fantastic Article Amisha. You should write more often.
Very good information given about Deolali. This article will make me goto Deolali on our next trip. :-).
I wonder How many KVites have been to Deolali.
Been to Deolali – first time in 1983 (when it was not crowded as today) and there were lots more farms and minimal commercialization. There was only one Kutchi sanitorium “Devji Khetsi” at that time. You could here the guns firing when the army practiced in therie shooting range…
My parents go to Deolali twice a year – for 1-2 months each – they like to do Parushan over there.
Had been there last time i visited India – and Prerna had her bout with Mosquito bites all over by the time we returned in 2 days 🙂 🙂
Bhavesh, still today you can hear the guns firing..
If you have not gone there in last 10 years, you will be surprised to see the Lam Road. Lam road used to be a small road (“galli”). It has now become wide, concrete road where vehicles do speed up and you are even afraid to cross!!
Winter months are the best months to visit Deolali. It does get pretty chilly at night and early morning.
As a child I have tons of memories of Devji Khetsi….we used to go very often with my masi’s family.Everyone would find company of his/her age……remember my older cousins organizing dandiyas in the sanitarium and picnics….also at the end of vacation there would be one or two love stories that may have propped up 🙂
This was in mid and late 80’s. Things changed eventually and many of our relatives started owning apartments or bunglows……and then every year it would someones house warming in Deolali…..There is a beautiful river in Nasik where one can rent pedal and motor boats. Purohits thali was very famous.
True Sneha. Even I have lots of fond memories of Deolali, Tithal and Lonavala. All these places being close to Mumbai, have gone there lots of times. In “Devji Ketsi”, they do play housie and different games at night, have breakfast and lunch in the “Madhuli” – big gazebo area on different occasions.
My mama is a resident of Deolali. I have had the privilege of borrowing my cousins bike and taking it all over the place.
There is a garden that is 30 min auto ride from the Jain mandir. I think it is built by the Birla’s but not sure.
I lost my way on the bike and entered the military area; not the restricted one though. Discovered that they have a artillery museum there that is well maintained but hardly any visitors. Karuna and I were the only visitors and the guide took both of us personally through all the artifacts there. (big thanks to Karuna for putting up with my keen interest in 100 year old arms). The guide seemed to make sense out of history as to why some armies won with small numbers but advanced cannons and war tactics
Amisha, nice pics. Dudhi khao, Budhi pao.
The people who were taking care of the farm, told they don’t sell such big “Dudhi”, instead use all the seeds of this dudhi for planting again. Our other family members had gone the earlier day and had gotten 20-25 dudhis for 50 bucks.