Mahabaleshwar

The hill Station of forts, lakes and cliff points

Located peacefully in the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar has evolved as one of the most sought after tourist destinations for newly weds, nature lovers and adventurous souls. This hill station has its own value and presence in the state of Maharashtra and it is known for the production of valuable indigenous items.

The origin of the world Mahabaleshwar comes from the term Mamleshwar. This term denotes ‘God of Mavalas,’ who is Lord Shiva. Raja Bhoj II from the Shilaher Royal Family controlled this region till 1209 AD. Devagiri’s emperor Shingham Yadam took over the control after 1209 AD. The Hemadripant Temples were constructed and named after the name of his able Wazir called Hemadripant. The Vazir played a very important role in establishing the Mahabaleshwar Temple for the Mahadev Koli tribes.

Right from the very beginning of 17th Century, Mahabaleshwar has witnessed the rule of innumerable rulers, both Hindus and Muslims. Over the years, Mahabaleshwar, situated in Maharashtra is known for lying at the source of rivers like Krishna, Koyna, Gayatri , Venna and Savitri. It is also well recognized as one of the most legendary and ancient holy places in India. The Vaai-Mahabaleshwar Region is known for its Krishna Temple.

Following are the main attractions of Mahabaleshwar, the quaint little hill station.

Pratapgad: Famous for the Battle of Pratapgad, this fort has now become a sought after tourist destination. It was established by Shri Shivaray near Mahabaleshwar in 1656. The Summit of

Pratapgarh Fort is adorned by a 17 foot high statue of Shivaji. It was unveiled in 1957 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.

Venna Lake: This major tourist attraction of Mahabaleshwar was created by Raja Appasaheb Maharaj in 1842. Tourists come  in large numbers to enjoy the boat ride and the horse ride near by the lake. There are several eateries also that are lined up near to the Venna Lake.

Lingmala Falls: They are known for the breathtakingly beautiful cascading waterfalls. The entire beauty of waterfalls resembles silver streaks. The waterfall finally meets the Venna Valley.

Mapro Garden: Situated close to Mahabaleshwar, Mapro Gardens are world famous for their luscious strawberry production. Every year, Strawberry competition also takes place here.

Wilson Point: It is located 4710 feet above the sea level. Tourists from all over the world come here for watching the truly majestic sun rise and sun set.

Marjorie Point: Standing at this point provides a panoramic view of the three forts, namely Makrandgad, Tornagad and Pratapagad. It also provides a really splendid and enrapturing view of the Sahyadri ranges.

Arthur's seat: It is located at the North west of Mahabaleshwar. Its name is derived from Mr. Arthur Mallet's initials who had originally built the first house here. The valley of Jor and the Savirtri River can be seen from Arthur's seat. The ragged and stratified rocks around the Arthur's seat make it look similar to the Grand Canyon of Colorado, United States.

Excursions from Mahabaleshwar
Following places are located near to Mahabaleshwar. These are Avakali (7.7 km), Panchgani (20 km), Poladpur (42.7 km), Vaigaon (52.1 km), Pune (117 km), Koynanagar (138.3 km), Kolhapur (180 km), Mumbai (260. 8 km), Shirdi (303.3 km).

Shopping in Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is known for the home made marmalades and jellies. Fresh fruit jams can be purchased from Imperial Store and Town Bazaar. Mapro Gardens situated on the way from Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar is known for fresh and luscious strawberries and raspberries. One can also buy souvenirs like tribal trinkets and handicraft items from Town Bazaar.

When to Reach
The weather in Mahabaleshwar remains pleasant through out, making it one of the most sought after leisure destinations for weekend getaways. The ideal time to visit Mahabaleshwar, though, is in between October to June.

How to Reach
Air: The nearest airport to Mahabaleshwar is the Pune airport which is located at a distance of 120 km.
Rail: Wathar Railway station is located at a distance of 60 km from Mahabaleshwar. One can also reach the Pune railway station to reach to Mahabaleshwar.
Road: The bus services provides by the Maharashtra State Road Transport is quite frequent. The major cities in Maharashtra are connected to Mahabaleshwar through regular buses.