Mahabaleshwar is a popular holiday resort, honeymoon spot and an important pilgrimage
site for Hindus. Among the hill resorts of Maharashtra state, Mahabaleshwar and
Panchgani are very popular. Tucked away in the Satara district, they can be best
approached from Pune as well as Mumbai. The commercialization has affected the hill
resorts of north and south India. But these two resorts Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani
offer a clean, calm and thoroughly refreshing alternative. Mahabaleshwar is regarded
as the queen of hill stations in Maharashtra. When you are travelling from Mumbai
once you are on the top of Ambenali Ghat your lungs get filled with air which is
fresh, cool and having scent of the herbs. You will suddenly feel the difference
when you inhale the scented air. Tourist from the metro cities feel excited, when
they drink the naturally cooled water even in the months of April and May. Because
of the pollution free air and water we feel so energetic, that you will feel like
travelling and watching the sightseeing points nonstop. Still you will never feel
tired or exhausted during your stay at the hill station. And Mahabaleshwar perhaps
is the only place in the country which offers various activities like boating, fishing,
horse riding, trekking and playing golf on the gorgeous nine-hole golf course built
on the edge of a cliff. Overlooking the Krishna and Koyna valleys, Mahabaleshwar,
at an altitude of 1372 meters opens up a whole world of picturesque delight. With
an air of unspoilt beauty, it is a paradise for nature explorers and peace lovers, as also for filmmakers and producers.
The summer capital of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, Mahabaleshwar retains its
charm, despite the increasing crowds that visit the town. Numerous majestic mansions
built during the days of the British, still stand as monuments of the Raj. Mahabaleshwar
gets crowded during summer holidays and long weekends, so be sure to make accommodation
arrangements in advance before commencement of the journey. Mahabaleshwar is named
after one of Lord Shiva’s names Lord Mahabali, enshrined at the Gokharna temple
in the form of a self-originated lingam, shaped like a rudraksha and considered
to be the most sacred amongst the other twelve Jyothirlingams. Circled by a five
feet wall, the Lingam in this temple gets high regard from devotes across the world.
The inner room of the temple is the sanctum or Gods chamber and the outer is central
hall. When you enter the inner portion there is a pond whose water is ice cool even
in the months of April or May. Historically, while the region is said to have been
discovered by the British, its origin can be traced back to as early as 1215 A.D.,
during the region of King Singhan of Deogiri. However, what we do know is that the
British developed this place as a health resort. Sir Charles Malet was the first
to set foot on this magnificent highland in 1791 and in 1828, the governor Sir John
Malcolm built a sanitarium here. In the British times it was also known as Malcolm
Peth. Many tourists visit nearby Panchgani. After the construction of a new highway,
it is only a five-hour drive from Mumbai. Mahabaleshwar is also known for the honey
and strawberries produced here. What remains strongly associated with Mahabaleshwar
are the strawberries. One can visit strawberry farms to enjoy the real flavor of
the fruit, if you visit during the strawberry season (October to March), you can
see fields with rows of strawberry shrubs. If you are visiting one of the reputed
strawberry farms in the mentioned strawberry season you will be able to see strawberry
plants not more than twelve inches in height but loaded with red strawberries.
After watching the fields you can taste the farm fresh strawberry shake and many
other products prepared in front of the visitors. You will always remember its taste
in your life. It is said that the climate of Mahabaleshwar is ideal for strawberries
and mulberries. One can also get a taste of "Strawberries with Cream"
(Jan -Feb) or "Mulberries with Cream" (April-May). Located in the misty
green mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is an ideal summer retreat
and is blessed with some of the finest natural wonders. This place was once upon
a time the most favored summer getaway for the British and one can still sense the
colonial charm here. There are many interesting things about Mahabaleshwar that
draw large number of tourists from all parts of India. Its scenic points, temples
and a charming climate attract nature lovers or seekers of solitude. This picturesque
hill station is located in the Western Ghats, cradled in the Sahyadri ranges. An
altitude of 1,372 m gives it the distinction of being the highest hill station in
Western India. Its popularity is not only as a honeymoon spot and a great weekend
getaway, but also because of its historical and religious significance. Kshetra
Mahabaleshwar or the old Mahabaleshwar has three important temples Mahabal, Atibal
and Panchaganga Temple. At Panchganga temple, five rivers originate Koyna,
Krishna, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri. Mahabaleshwar is a very popular hill station
in Maharashtra because of its placid lakes, verdant hills and cascading waterfalls.
A tour package to Mahabaleshwar includes a tour to Mahabaleshwar temple. The temple
in its present state is surrounded by five feet high stone wall. The main temple
has two apartments, the inner room, which is the Gods chamber and the outer room
which is the central hall. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and enshrines a
'lingam'. The Hill resort of Mahabaleshwar is named after the presiding deity of
this temple, Lord Mahabali, which is also why it is considered a major landmark
of Mahabaleshwar. It is not only famous for its scenic beauty but also for its various
temples, spectacular viewpoints and historically significant places. It is a great
place for holidaying as it provides ample opportunities for leisure activities such
as fishing, boating and trekking. In the early 14th century, Mahabaleshwar was ruled
by the Moguls but in the latter half of the century a Brahmin dynasty took control
of it. In the 15th Century Mahabaleshwar was won by Muslim Kings of Bijapur and
Ahmednagar but by the 16th century the Maratha family of Chandarao More was ruling
over it. They built the famous Mahabaleshwar temple. Finally, in the 17th century
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja decided to show his resistance to foreign rule and
for this he trained a large army and captured it. After him the Peshwas ruled till
the year 1819, after which Mahabaleshwar came to be included in the territory of
the Raja of Satara. And it was from 1828 that Mahabaleshwar was regularly visited
in succession beginning with Sir John Malcolm and then by Arthur, Carnac, Frere
and many others after whom the famous points in Mahabaleshwar are named. One name
that invariably finds mention in any conversation about the history of Mahabaleshwar
is Colonel Lodwick, who later in his life became a General. He brought a lot of
focus to the hill station, which is why a monument was named after him in Mahabaleshwar.
In the year 1819, Mahabaleshwar was included in the territory of the Raja of Satara.
Several little known but charming hill resorts nestle shyly in these mountains.
They seem to belong to the colonial era when people travelled up to these resorts
to escape the heat of the plains. Many of them still retain some of the old world
charm and make an ideal holiday destination.
Do not miss sunrise at Wilson Point and Sunset at Bombay Point. Hire a local
guide and he will guide you to all the important points at Mahabaleshwar. It is
also home to several scenic points that are located here such as the Lodwick Point,
Elphinstone Point, Kate's Point, Wilson Point, Helen's Point, Badington Point, Falkland
Point and Carnac Point. For the pilgrim tourists Mahabaleshwar is an important stopover
due to the presence of splendid temples such as Mahabaleshwar Temple and Krishna
Temple. Mahabaleshwar has many points offering great views of flat-topped ghats,
dense forests and lush green valleys. Lodwick Point, towering almost 1,240
meters above sea level, is one of the most visited Points and holds a monument in
memory of General Lodwick. Arthur’s Seat is well liked too for its great view of
the Jor Valley. About a kilometer away lies Tiger’s spring, and if you venture
further down you’ll come to a ledge named. The window a point that’s famous for
its mesmerizing view.
There are pleasant waterfalls also worth visiting, such as Chinaman’s Falls, Dhobi
Falls and Lingmala Falls, the latter being the most impressive, cascading almost
600 ft from a cliff. Another tourist attraction is the Sangam, or the confluence
of the five rivers that flow over the Deccan Plateau. There are many old temples
too, which become the focus of attention during the festive season