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India » Mahabaleshwar
 City Guide
 
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 Initially developed as health resort by Maharaja Pratapsinha of Satara in 1829, Mahabaleshwar has since been a favourite summer destination for Indians. The highest point in the Western Ghats, it is situated around Lake Venna at an altitude of 1,372 m. The town derives its name from the Sanskrit words maha (great), bal ( power) and eshwar (god), meaning god of great power .
Renowned for its wealth of berries like strawberries, gooseberries and raspberries and delicious jams and preserves, Mahabaleshwar entrances you with smooth lakes, cascading waterfalls and forests which offer some lovely walks and treks. If you re looking for a crisp and healthy vacation, then Mahabaleshwar is definitely the place for you. |
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AIR
Pune, the nearest airport, has IA flights connecting from Bangalore, Delhi and Chennai. Span Airways connects Pune with Mumbai and Goa, and Jet has flights from Mumbai and Chennai. Airport: The nearest airport is in Pune, 122 km away.
RAIL
Pune is linked to several cities by rail. The Shatabdi shuttles between Mumbai and Pune, along with the Pragati Express and Indrayani Express. Railway station: Although the nearest railhead is Satara, one would find it more convenient to use the railhead in Pune as it is well connected to several cities.
ROAD
There is an MTDC luxury bus that plies daily in either direction between Mumbai and Mahabaleshwar. State-run and private buses also link Pune to Goa, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Shirdi, Bangalore, Indore, Hyderabad and Aurangabad. Bus terminus: The central state bus stand is on the Main Road (north end of the main bazaar).
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CLIMATE : Temperatures vary from 13° C in winter to 29° C in summer.
Population : 10,600
STD CODE : 02168 |
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 View Points
Elphinstone Point, Babington Point, Kate s Point, Bombay Point and Arthur s Seat are some of the famous lookout points in Mahabaleshwar, with views of the valley from the forested plateau.
Waterfalls
You must make it a point to see some of the most beautiful cascades in the country like Chinaman s (2.5 km), Dhobi (3 km) and Lingamala (6 km).
Venna Lake
The 2.4 km long Venna Lake has both boating and fishing facilities. Get a taste of some of Mahabaleshwar s famous strawberries from the way-side stalls here, or even go for a horse ride if you are feeling slightly adventurous.
Wilson Point
This is Mahabaleshwar s highest point. Not much in itself as it s just a bare rock, but the three observation towers placed here have wonderful views.
Kate s Point
You can see the Krishna River winding its way through the green fields of the valley from here. A natural built-in eco-system makes it an interesting visit.
Mahabaleshwar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mahabaleshwar Temple houses one of the 12 important Shiva Jyotilingas. |
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Panchgani
Panchgani, at an altitude of 1,334 m, is a well-known hill station of Maharashtra. It derives its name from the five hills around it. Situated 19 km away from Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani is a drop of 38 m in altitude. Special visits to the Parsi and British bungalows can be arranged by the MTDC. Tableland, which is a plateau, is a popular tourist place occupying over 6 sq km of red earth. A great place to watch the sun dipping and rising. Taxis are easily available from Mahabaleshwar. Some of the hotels to stay in Panchgani include Hotel Simla (Tel: 40 235) and Pan Hill Hotel (Tel: 40 444).
Pratapgarh Fort
Pratapgarh Fort, 24 km away, is where Shivaji, the great Maratha warrior and ruler, overcame General Afzal Khan, an episode that is recounted with great pride. The fort stretches along the entire length of a high ridge. Tourists can see Afzal Khan s tomb and also enjoy the scenic beauty of the place.
Tapola
Situated 25 km from Mahabaleshwar, Tapola popularly known as mini Kashmir , has a big lake with small islands. The ideal way to spend a day here is to hire a boat and travel down to one of the many islands. In summer the temperatures here range between 16° C and 29° C.
Satara
If history fascinates you, Satara is a must-visit for its wonderful collection of some of the finest relics of the Maratha era. You have the magnificent Shivaji Maharaj Museum located just opposite the main bus stand. The Wasota Fort, in the south of the town, has a colourful history linked to the Marathas and Aurangzeb.
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| One thing you must take back home are strawberries. Don t forget to buy fresh jams and the marmalades made here which are simply superb. Two popular shops for these here are Teacher & Co. and Elsie s. |
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