Masses in Khandala/Lonavala

Luckily for me I've had the privilege of having a priest handy almost every time I've been to Khandala so pampered as I was, I never felt the need to google up church or mass timings. But its a good thing you can and a good thing if you did as it shows you've been raised in faith and christian teachings even if it came about with a spanking for not wanting to wake up in time for Sunday Mass way back when you were a kid.

For those interested in dragging your asses into church early in the morning there is an 8:30 AM eucharistic celebration at The Church of St. Joseph in Lonavala, the location of which has often been pointed out to me as we crawled through the Chikki shop lane past Lonavala Railway Station and onward to the liquor shops as we rounded the Shivaji Statue circle in the midst of the busy market place. Unfortunately in my spiritual pursuit the church was always obscured from my vision. So I suggest you start off early enough in case you have to search for the place. Watching the pictures online shows the church on a pretty good elevation so you could look high for a Cross or spire that will lead you in the right direction. God speed and Good luck Pilgrim. I seldom braved the crowds at Lonavala that throng the Chikki shops and amusement and water park facilities at Kumar Resort.I prefer the relative peace and quiet of old Khandala. In fact we once even managed to smuggle  the baby-faced Fr. Prince from Khopoli parish to get some close friends married in Khandala.

For the hungover bunch who can't make the 8:30AM deadline dont fret. You can seek salvation in the 10:30 AM service held at RC Church, Khandala thanks to the good priest from Khopoli who drives up to preach to his flock. This priest I've met on occasion and hes seems dashing enough to have stepped out of a fashion mag. Preaches a pretty good sermon too. All you need to do is drive down the old Bombay Pune road heading back towards Bombay until you pass the pond and a couple of old Parsi bungalows as you round the curve. Soon after take a sharp left up the lane and no sooner than you enter you'll Have the RC Church compound on your right. Keep an eye out  for the sign that reads RC Church or you'll drive up the slope past it and into the land of the High rollers and their lofty Holiday Villas.

Dont worry if you miss the turn on your left, just keep going and you'll find your self in plenty of time for an evening service at any church you fancy (and know the route to) back in Bombay. Hahaha. Dont mind my kidding, simply look up better directions and maps online. Cheers and don't forget to pray for me. Theres a saying when you pray for others God blesses them and they feel inner peace. When you feel blessed and peaceful, remember... someone has prayed for you.