Mahabaleshwar Hill Station

About:

Mahabaleshwar, "The Queen of Hill Stations", served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj, and today is a popular holiday resort and honeymoon spot. The area is also an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, and is the site of the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Mahabaleshwar comprises of three villages, Malcolm Peth, Old "Kshetra" Mahabaleshwar and part of the Shindola village.

Mahabaleshwar is Sanskrit for God of Great Power. It was summer capital of Governor of the old Bombay Presidency.Covering 10 sq km. There are 30 valley viewpoints with panoramic vistas scattered around the hill station and their access roads make for shady, pleasant walks and treks. The area has strong historical connections with Shivaji, the heroic Maratha warrior king.The place is popular with tourists, especially from Mumbai and Pune, wanting to take a break from the rush of rat race. the hill-station is very crowded during vacations like christmas & Diwali and in summers.

Mahabaleshwar along with Panchgani makes the most popular hill resorts in the Maharashtra state of India. Far way from the madding crowds the hill resort makes an excellent holiday destination. The natural beauty of Mahabaleshwar attracts nature lovers, film directors, holidaymakers, peace seekers and adventurers alike. The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar is the place to be at in the summers. The heat and the dust of the plains give way to the cool breezes and the gorgeous greens of Mahabaleshwar. The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar derives its name from the God "Mahabali". There is a temple dedicated to Lord Mahabali namely the old Mahabaleshwar Temple.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

The Britishers built various mansions, cottages and bungalows around the town, lending it a charming, sophistication.

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Mount Malcolm:
It used to be the most famous building in the olden days. it was built in 1829 with magnificient architectural skills. Unfortunately, it has lost a lot of its old charm now.

Catholic Church:
A visit to the old Raman Catholic Holy cross church is worth a detour. although the church is practically falling apart, its stained-glass windows are still a sight to behold. this deserted church is now looked after by a Hindu family.

Mahabaleshwar Club:
The club was built in 1881 and is still flourishing and well-maintained. Only members of the club can stay here. It is very popular for its well-tended roses and lovely jogging track. Christmas is grandly celebrated by loyal members every year. Fortunately, one facility is open to visitors; who can use the golf course whenever they feel like it.

Morarji Castle:
Also worth a look is this old structure. Mahatma Gandhi once lived here in 1945.

Pratapgad Fort:
This is 24 Kms, away from Mahabaleshwar. The fort was built in 166 by Moropant trimbak Pingle under the command of the Maratha rular Shivaji. It was here that the mighty General of Bijapur, Afjal Khan, was killed by Shivaji. The fort has a great view.

Mahabaleshwar:
This popular hill station was the summer capital of the Bombay presidency during the days of the Raj. It has pleasant walks and good lookouts, and the area has interesting historical connections with Shivaji.

Dudhsagar waterfall, Thoseghar waterfall, Lingmala fall, Dhobi waterfall, and Chinaman's waterfall are the important waterfalls in Maharashtra. Dudhsagar waterfall, situated at Someshwar is a favourite destination for youngsters where they come often to liven up their spirits. This is one of the best picturesque spots in Nashik. The waterfalls are 10m long and the water is milky white, so it is called Dudhsagar waterfall.

The Mahabaleshwar Temple and the Gokarna Temple of Mahabaleshwar attract visitors from all over India. The Gokarna Temple has the statue of Lord Mahabali, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, in a linga form which is considered the holiest of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India.

Wilson Point happens to be the highest in Mahabaleshwar. There are special observation towers from where you could enjoy the spectacular views. Sunrise is simply heavenly from the Wilson Point.

Bombay point is one of the earliest known points in Mahabaleshwar. Every evening visitors rush to the peak to get a spectacular view of the sunset.

Babington point has spectacular vistas of the Koyna valley and Chinaman's waterfall. Helen's point has lush fecund fields on the Blue Valley Road. Bombay Point remains an all time favorite among the nature watchers for its sunset. And how could you miss your echoes at Echo point. Connaught peak or the Mount Olympia is favorite spot amongst the riders that also offers picturesque view of Vena Lake and Krishna valley.

Tapola On the south of mahabaleshwar down the tapola ghat in the koyna valley is a small town on the extreme backwaters of the triveni sangam of the koyna, solshi and the kandhati river. Locally coined, as Mini Kashmir due to the serenity and the beauty of the shivsagar lake is an excellent boating and picnic spot.

Galoni Point 1274 mtrs off the tapola road past the maharul village, awalk leads to this point above the tapola ghat giving a view of the mahabaleshwar plateau and the koyna and the blue river valleys. It is recommended to take the assistance of the local guide here.

Baghdad Point Past the satara road on the kelghar ghats towards the villages of rengdi, it is easier to locate it as the end of the road takes us to backwaters of the kanehar dam a beautiful spectacular view of the mahabaleshwar plateau and the valleys below.

Robbers caves Scary as it sounds is also known as shin-shin gully located on the tapola road on the ride just a few yards before the village of manghar towards tapola on leading the ride one comes to a opening in the ground which has a sudden fall leading to concealed fall in the form of a cave.

Cannought Peak On the road to kshetra mahabaleshwar this small hillock is perhaps the second highest peak in mahabaleshwar after the Wilson point. Initially known as mount Olympia until 1890 and named after the duke of cannought who adored the beauty of the place very much and often visited this place.Like Wilson point it gives a spectacular of the mahabaleshwar plateau in all directionsand is a popular sunrise and sunset point, a popular picnic spot is also ideal for outings and forest trek along the point rides to Arthur seat point.

Lodwick point The most exotic view of the forest, from the parking area a walk leads to the top of a summit where lies a monument erected in the memory of general lodwick erected by his son in 1870. Seen below is the serpentine Fitzgerald ghat with the pratapgadh fort in the front and at the foothills the historic village of jaoli. Makarandgadh seen to the south west, and north east ward seen the elphinstone point. Northwards from the monument is a point led by a very narrow walk between the two ravines has a shape to resemble that of an elephant's head. The nose tip was also known as the Sydney point. It is said that the sea was very clearly visible from here on very clear days.

Lamington Plateau Off the satara road a walk from the ganesh mandir leads up to the lamigton ride on taking the first right and then the subsequent left one reaches the only second plateau after Wilson point also known as the kings thrown, said so because was often visited by the raja pratapsingh and a hierarchy of british officers. Give an encompassing forest view of al sides of mahabaleshwar. It is recommended to take the assistance of a local guide here at the vast plain below. The berry farms here are another tourist attraction.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

• Lingmala
• Panchgani
• Ajanta Ellora
• Goa
• Gateway Of India
• Marine Drive.
• Wilson Point
• Pratapgad Fort
• Elphinston Point
• Lodwick Point
• Kate's point
• Devil's kitchen
• Sidney Point

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• Both Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani have reasonable priced bungalows. MTDC run holiday resorts and hotels.
• Poonam Hotel
• Ripon Hotel
• Dreamland Hotel
• Regal Hotel
• Fredrick Hotel.

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number: