Come the monsoons and these hills are blest with green and smother'd in mist, for they are true havens of tranquillity.

These word were uttered many, many decades ago by an Englishman about the hilly retreats of Lonavala and Matheran. Even today, come the monsoons and these busy hill stations are magically transformed back into sleepy hamlets (except on weekends), covered in green foliage, with waterfalls gushing down to form streams, leading to lakes whose waters are harnessed for the good of all mankind. Welcome to a world of peace and quiet, where mountains loom in the distance ominously shrouded in mist, bearing a legacy of the last shower; forewarning more rain to come. For in the monsoons, the mist spreads its magic cloak over every hill and forest, turning overly crowded hill stations into enchanted getaway from which no mortal can return without being moved by the beauty around him or her.

"In the monsoons, both Lonavala and Matheran can charm the Gods down from the heavens, willing them to sit overlooking a valley an meditate."

What is it about the hills that drive man from the plains toward them? Is it the luxurious foliage, in myriad shades of green? Or a carpet of flowers to tramp on in forest paths every morning? Or the fresh, invigorating aroma of damp earth as the day's first showers strike the earth? Or is it just the cool breeze that caresses every visitor, seducing him into never returning from whence he came? Whether it is all this and more, we shall never really know. Suffice to say that in the monsoons, both Lonavala and Matheran can charm the Gods down from the heavens, willing them to sit overlooking a valley an meditate. And for those in search of themselves, Lonavala may just be able to provide a few of the answers.

Lonavala is a small town situated at an altitude of around 2000 feet in the Western Ghats. It takes just about 3 hours to travel 100 kms from Mumbai to Lonvala, and the best way to do still is by train. For it is only when you take the train up to this picturesque hill station does the sheer magnitude of the task accomplished by the Peninsular Railways, way back in the late 1800's hit you. As you ascend from the plains the railway tracks pass through 23 tunnels, the longest of which is over a mile in length, to transport you form civilisation to relative peace. The ride to Lonavala is extremely picturesque in the monsoon season, with a light shroud of mist gracing the hills and waterfalls merrily cascading down the slopes. The entire range is covered in a carpet of green, soothing not just the eyes, but the troubled soul too.

As the train grunts and groans its way up to Lonavala, through a little hamlet called Khandala. As it pulls into Khandala, you can feel a perceptible drop in the temperature, signalling your arrival into cooler climes. Khandala offers some excellent views of the range and even has a spectacular waterfall that divides itself into two cataracts during the monsoon. The upper fall resounds through the hills as it drops 300 feet, straight into the valley, adding to the shroud of mist that envelopes the valley.

A few minutes later, the train pulls into Lonavala and for one brief moment, the tranquillity is shattered, as the noises of civilisation invade your thoughts. Then, Lonavala station today is a far cry from what it used to be when the first train pulled in 91 years ago. The only memory of that glorious day is the station bell, with the date 1907 etched on it, heralding back to the days when trains arrived and left to the sound of the gong. Thankfully, there are still some spots in Lonavala which have not yet been invaded by holidaymakers and day-trippers. All you have to do, is wander around the outskirts of the town or clamber up any of the hills in the region and you'll find the solace you so earnestly seek.

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