Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar

Nestled in the lush valleys of the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is a perfect getaway for spending some quality time away from the din and rush of the city. It is located in the Statara district of the state of Maharashtra and the British used it as the summer capital of Bombay to escape from the scorching heat of the plains. In the present days, Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist spot and also a pilgrimage site. The Mahabaleshwar temple, from which the place has got its name, is much revered by the Hindu pilgrims who drop in from the far corners of the state.With a pleasant climate and many things to watch, your trip to Mahabaleshwar will certainly be a memorable one.

The tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar are many in number and make sure that you have ample time in hand if you want to explore this spectacular hill station in entirety. On your travel to Mahabaleshwar you will come across several important places such as Mount Malcolm, Catholic Church, Mahabaleshwar Club, Morarji Castle and Pratapgad Fort. There are also several scenic points in Mahabaleshwar that you just cannot afford to miss out and they are Lodwick Point, Elphinstone Point, Wilson Point, Helen’s Point, Badington Point and Carnac Point.

Mahabaleshwar is also home to some remarkable temples and you will come across Krishna and Mahabaleshwar temple here. There is also a black stone, which is a little distance from the other temples and holds a venerated place among the locals and the pilgrim tourists frequenting this place. Mahabaleshwar has a fine network of motorable roads and you can enjoy a scenic ride of the most fascinating landscape in and around the place. Besides, an excursion from Mahabaleshwar would take you to Panchgani which is a picturesque spot offering breathtaking natural beauty. Dotted by the casuarinas and silver oak groves, it is an ideal base for indulging in the trekking and hiking activities. The region is also known for many fruit processing units. Strawberry farming is one of the most widespread occupations of the local villagers here. You can step into any of the strawberry farms you pass by while on your drive or trek, and have a look at the farmers picking fresh strawberries from the gardens.

For the tourists there excellent lodging options are available in the bungalows and cottages, apart from a large number of luxury and budget hotels. The accommodations are elegantly furnished and you can relax and expect the homely services here. Fountain Hotel, Brightland Holiday Village, Hotel Anarkali, Hotel Dreamland, Hotel Panorama and Strawberry Country Resort are a few of the notable hotels here. Mahabaleshwar is accessible by the air, rail and road transport. The nearest airport and railway station is Pune and Mahabaleshwar can be reached by road transport quite conveniently from Pune.

Tourist Attractions

Mahabaleshwar is one of the most picturesque hill stations nestled in the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. The captivating landscape of this magnificent tourist spot was also favored by the British during their colonial rule of the Bombay Presidency. This heavenly hill station is an idyllic retreat for spending some peaceful moments away from the humdrum of the city life. Mahabaleshwar is also a renowned pilgrim spot and is visited by lots of pilgrims each year. The tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar include scenic spots, vantage points offering stunning views of sunrise and sunsets, serene lakes, and beautiful temples.

Some of the most tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar deserving a visit by the tourists on their tour to Mahabaleshwar are:

Mount Malcolm:

This was one of the most famous buildings and occupied an important place during the British rule. Mount Malcolm was built in the year 1829 with outstanding architectural skills and till date it enchants its visitors with its inescapable charm.

Catholic Church:

Among the other things to watch in Mahabaleshwar, this old Roman Catholic Holy cross church is worth a visit. Its impressive architecture and stained-glass windows are still the sights to behold.

Mahabaleshwar Club:

This club is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar and was built in the year 1881. It is well-preserved and is flourishing quite well. Only members of the club are allowed to stay here. It is very popular for its well-tended roses and fine jogging track.

Pratapgad Fort:

This legendary fort was built by the eminent Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the year 1656 in order to be in command of the rebellious rulers of Javali basin located nearby. This place is also the site of the historic battle that took place between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, who was the ruler of the Bijapur Sultanate.

Mahabaleshwar 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.

Besides, an excursion from Mahabaleshwar would take you to Panchgani which is a picturesque hill station and is ideal for adventure activities like trekking and hiking.