Mahabaleshwar is a captivating hill station, located in Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar has picturesque sceneries numerous rivers, magnificent cascades and majestic peaks,etc. that promise a memorable trip for tourists.
Mahabaleshwar is a hill station present in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar is also well known for its numerous rivers, magnificent cascades and majestic peaks. It is among the most beautiful weekend getaways from Pune & Mumbai, located about 120km south-west of Pune and 285km from Mumbai.
Mahabaleshwar is also a sacred pilgrimage place for Hindus as the Krishna river originates from here. Once a summer capital of the British, the hill station of Mahabaleshwar comprises of ancient temples, boarding schools, manicured and lush green dense forest, waterfalls, hills, valleys. It is often used as a base to visit the magnificent Pratapgad Fort, located an hour away. Malcolm Peth, Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar and a region of the Shindola village are the three villages that make up Mahabaleshwar.
Elephant's Head Point is the most picturesque viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar which is famous for the stunning view of the Sahyadri ranges. This famous tourist spot is best visited during sunrise and sunset. The Elephant's Point got its name as it resembles the head and trunk of an elephant.
The gap between the elephant's head and the trunk looks like a needlepoint when viewed from far, thus giving it the name Needle Point. People visiting the place can get a panoramic view of the humongous fort of Pratapgarh surrounded by Kova Valley on one side and Savitri Valley on the other side.
A visit to Chinaman's waterfall is the most important thing to witness, the tantalizing descend of the Chinaman's waterfall, one of the most significant falls in Maharashtra.
This place was named after the Chinese prison located in the vicinity. Chinaman's waterfall serves as a perfect holidaying spot enthralling a bewitching experience for tourists.
Dhobi Falls is a group of waterfalls which is surrounded by greenery and rocks, these are ideal for a surreal experience amidst nature. The waterfall streams down the Koyna river and looks a spectacle with mists and rainbow.
The Dhobi Falls is located 3 km from main Mahabaleshwar town, Dhobi Waterfalls is an ideal picnic spot. A small hike needs to be undertaken to reach the waterfall. Dhobi Falls is best visited during the monsoon season.
Arthur's Seat is one of the popular viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar, present just 13km away from Mahabaleshwar. Arthur's Seat points offers the most mesmerizing and fascinating view of the dense valleys of Brahma-Arayana and the Savitri river.
Arthur's Seat Point is made up of 6 viewpoints - Arthur's Seat Point, Tiger Sprint Point, Hunter Point, Echo Point, Window Point and Malcolm Point. Arthur's Seat is famous for the floating of light object. This means that if you throw light things like a bottle cap into the valley, it floats back up due to air pressure. Reaching the viewpoint requires a 30-minute trek from the parking lot.
The Mahabaleshwar temple is situated at a distance of 6 km from the city of Mahabaleshwar, Mahabaleshwar temple is an ancient shrine and an ideal example of the Maratha heritage. The temple is flocked by tourists and devotees throughout the year to bask in the serenity and tranquility offered here. The temple is extremely popular among the Hindus, as Lord Shiva is the presiding deity here.
The Mahabaleshwar temple near Satara is one of the ancient temples of Maharashtra. The magnificent temple is guarded by a five feet wall and has two sections- the inner area and the outer area. The inner part, known as the sanctum sanctorum, has Shiva as the presiding deity. Devotees visit the temple around the year to witness the calm and peaceful aura of Lord Shiva.
The Wilson Point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar, located at an altitude of 1439m. Also famous as the Sunrise Point, it is a famous tourist attraction for viewing stunning sunrise. Wilson Point is a vast plateau comprising of three watchtowers at different spots which offers stunning panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar. The Place is named after Sir Leslie Wilson, the Governor of Bombay province from 1923 to 1926.
Venna Lake is a beautiful manmade lake in Mahabaleshwar. The lake offers many water activities for the tourists rowboats, and paddleboats ride to the visitors and hence is usually very crowded. There is horse riding and rides for children such as merry go round and the toy train. There are a number of eateries around the lake famous for street food like corn, bhelpuri and fresh fruits like mulberries, strawberries and carrots.
Venna Lake was built by Shri Appasaheb Maharaj who was the ruler of Satara and a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in 1942. The lake is spread over an area of 28 acres with a periphery of 7 to 8 km. It was initially built with the aim of catering to the water needs of the city of Mahabaleshwar, but now it has also become a hot tourist spot.
Panchgani is a popular hill station near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, famous for its various sunset and sunrise points and scenic valley view. Present at an altitude of 1,334 mts, Panchgani is also known as Paachgani as the five hills that form the Sahyadri mountain ranges offer Panchgani its name.
The picturesque backdrop of hills on one side and coastal plains on the other makes for an amazing view. Other than the verdant green valleys, and soothing environment, the red, juicy strawberries are a major attraction of Panchgani. Rightly known as the ‘Strawberry Garden of India’, the farms of Panchgani are full of enchanting views of luscious berries, especially during February and March.
Elphinstone Point is one of the highest viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar. It is famous for the stunning view of Pratapgad Fort, Koyna Valley and the nearby areas. It is also the origin point of the Savitri River. The Elphinstone Point is named after Mountstuart Elphinstone, the then Governor of Bombay Presidency.
Shopping in Mahabaleshwar is also an entertainment for tourists, the essentials include the freshest of strawberries and raspberries that the town is known for. Tourists can also take home jellies, honey, jams and more. One can also shop for handicrafts, leather items, Kolhapuri footwear and much more from the Town Bazaar.
The most suitable time to visit Mahabaleshwar is from November to February. The temperature during this time ranges between 10 C and 24 C making it pleasant for sightseeing. Another good time to visit Mahabaleshwar is during the monsoon from July to August when the hill station turns stunningly green.
Mahabaleshwar has some of the most picturesque natural beauty with lush green valleys and peaceful rivers which makes the Mahabaleshwar a must visit destination for the tourists. From visiting the water falls to Mahabaleshwar temple and lushly green surroundings, there is something for every traveler in this place. So, pack your bags, plan your tour, and move onto an unforgettable journey to Mahabaleshwar.
