In short
Ekvira Devi Temple is at Karla, just off the Mumbai–Pune corridor near Lonavala. By road it is roughly 110 km from Mumbai (about 2–2.5 hours via the Expressway), 60 km from Pune (about 1.5 hours) and only 11 km from Lonavala. By rail, Malavli is the closest station (about 3–6 km) and Lonavala (about 11 km) is the larger railhead, with autos and taxis for the last mile. The nearest airports are Pune (about 70 km) and Mumbai (about 120 km).
By road
Karla is one of the easiest temple stops to reach on the Mumbai–Pune route because it lies just off both the Expressway and the older highway near Lonavala. Most visitors drive or take a bus to Lonavala and then cover the short final stretch to the base of the hill. From the base, the shrine is reached on foot up the hillside stairway — see The Climb, Parking & Accessibility for what that involves.
- From Mumbai: around 110 km, typically 2–2.5 hours via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, exiting near Lonavala.
- From Pune: around 60 km, typically about 1.5 hours, heading towards Lonavala.
- From Lonavala: around 11 km on the local Lonavala–Karla road to the base of the hill.
Travel times depend heavily on traffic, weather and the time of day; the corridor can be slow during weekends, holidays and festival periods. Build in extra time on busy dates, and consult the best time to visit guide before fixing your plans.
| From | Approx. distance | Approx. time by road | Typical route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | ~110 km | 2–2.5 hrs | Mumbai–Pune Expressway, exit near Lonavala |
| Pune | ~60 km | ~1.5 hrs | Towards Lonavala via the Pune–Mumbai corridor |
| Lonavala | ~11 km | ~25–30 min | Lonavala–Karla local road |
By rail
The temple is well placed for rail travellers on the Mumbai–Pune line. Malavli is the closest railway station to Karla, roughly 3–6 km away, and is convenient if your train stops there. Lonavala, about 11 km away, is the larger and better-connected railhead, served by more trains. From either station, complete the last mile by auto-rickshaw or taxi to the base of the hill; share autos may also run on busier days. Confirm train stoppages in advance, as not every service halts at the smaller stations.
By air
There is no airport at Karla itself. The nearest is Pune airport, roughly 70 km away, which is the more practical option for many visitors. Mumbai airport is about 120 km away and connects to a wider international network. From either airport, continue by road via the routes described above; pre-arranged cabs or a combination of train and last-mile auto are common choices.
Parking
Parking may be available at or near the base of the hill, but we cannot confirm the current capacity, charges or arrangements, which can change on busy days and during festivals. Please confirm parking on arrival, follow any on-site marshalling, and avoid blocking access roads. On peak dates, arriving early improves your chances of a convenient spot.
Parking may be available at the base; capacity and charges are not confirmed · please confirm on arrival.From Mumbai
From Mumbai, the simplest route is the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. Drive towards Pune, take the exit near Lonavala, and follow local signs towards Karla and the temple, covering the final stretch to the base of the hill. By train, board a Pune-bound service and alight at Lonavala (the larger railhead) or Malavli if your train stops there, then take an auto or taxi for the last few kilometres. Allow roughly 2–2.5 hours by road for the 110 km, more during weekend or festival traffic.
From Pune
From Pune, head towards Lonavala along the Mumbai–Pune corridor, then follow the local road to Karla and the base of the hill. By train, take a Mumbai-bound service from Pune Junction and get off at Lonavala or Malavli, finishing with an auto or taxi. The 60 km drive usually takes around 1.5 hours, and Pune airport (about 70 km) is the nearest air gateway if you are flying in.
From Lonavala or Malavli
If you are already in Lonavala, Karla is only about 11 km away on the local road, a short drive or auto ride to the base of the hill. From Malavli station, the temple is closer still — roughly 3–6 km — with autos and taxis available for the final leg. This makes Lonavala or Malavli a natural staging point: many visitors stay overnight in Lonavala and reach the temple early the next morning before the climb. For more nearby stops you can combine with your visit, see nearby places.
Offline directions
If you lose mobile signal near the hills, these plain directions will help: from the Mumbai–Pune Expressway or old highway, exit near Lonavala and head towards Karla. Follow signs for the Ekvira Devi Temple and the Karla Caves — both are on the same hill — until you reach the parking and shop area at the base of the hill. From there, the temple is reached on foot up the stairway. If in doubt, ask locally for “Ekvira Aai mandir, Karla” or “Karla Caves”; both are well known in the area. Carry a written note of your return train or pickup time, as connectivity can be patchy.