Malavli (also spelt Malavali) is a small town and hill station in the Maval taluka of Pune district, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Located in the Western Ghats between the larger hill stations of Lonavla and Khandala, Malavli is best known as the railhead used by visitors to the ancient rock-cut Buddhist caves at Karla and Bhaja.
| Type | Town and hill station |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Pune |
| Taluka | Maval |
| Region | Western Ghats (Sahyadri) |
| Nearest towns | Lonavla, Khandala |
| Railway station | Malavli (Central Railway, Mumbai–Pune line) |
| Notable nearby sites | Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves, Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort |
Malavli lies on the Bhor Ghat section of the Sahyadri range, at an elevation typical of the Lonavla–Khandala plateau. The terrain around the town is hilly and forested, with seasonal streams and waterfalls that are particularly active during the southwest monsoon. The Indrayani river basin lies to the north of the settlement.
Malavli railway station is a stop on the Mumbai–Pune section of the Central Railway. It is served primarily by suburban and passenger trains, while most express services pass through without halting. The town is also accessible by road from the old Mumbai–Pune highway (NH 48 corridor); the Mumbai–Pune Expressway passes close by but does not have an exit at Malavli itself, with travellers generally using the Lonavla interchange.
Although small in size, Malavli has historical importance as the gateway to the Karla and Bhaja caves, which are among the earliest surviving examples of Buddhist rock-cut architecture in the Deccan. The surrounding region was an important node on ancient trade routes linking the western coastal ports with the inland Deccan plateau, and the patronage recorded in the cave inscriptions reflects this commercial activity. In modern times the town serves mainly as a base for trekkers, weekend visitors from Mumbai and Pune, and pilgrims to the Ekvira Devi temple at Karla.