Celebrated for its picturesque beauty and refreshing ambience,
Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station nestled in Satara District in
the Indian state of Maharashtra.
By Air
The nearest airport to Mahabaleshwar is in Pune, located at a distance of around 120 km. To reach Mahabaleshwar from Pune, one can easily avail a bus, taxi or a private car. State operated buses and private luxury/ non- luxury buses are also easily available to reach Mahabaleshwar.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Satara, around 58 km and nearest major railway junction is at Pune (120 km). Another railway station is at Wather, located at a distance of 62 km. If you are taking a train to Mahabaleshwar, it would be better to reach the Pune railhead, as it is relatively more convenient than the other stations, because of its better connectivity to Mahabaleshwar. Private buses, mini-buses, state-operated buses, taxis are easily available between Pune and Mahabaleshwar.
By Road
Mahabaleshwar is well linked by roads from neighboring cities like Mumbai and Pune. The Maharashtra State Road Transport operates regular buses to Mahabaleshwar from the nearby cities of Pune and Mumbai. Private tour operators also offer various luxury/ non-luxury, AC/Non-AC, Deluxe and Volvo bus services to and from Mahabaleshwar. Taxis, shared cabs/taxis and private cars can also be booked to travel here. One can even drive their own vehicle to Mahabaleshwar, enjoying its tranquil beauty. It takes about 5 hrs by road to reach Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai.
Pratapgarh Fort
Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja in 1656, the Pratapgarh Fort is located about 24 km west of Mahabaleshwar. The fort encompasses two ancient forts; the Upper Fort - built on the top of the hill and the Lower Fort.
Within the fort walls, tourists can see the Bhavani Temple,
the tomb of Afzal Khan and Mahadev temple. The fort also has a maze
chambers and long dark walkways, some of them lead to trap doors with a
100 meter fall. The fort is the witness of historic Battle of Pratapgarh
between Shivaji and Afzal Khan. The Pratapgad fort offers exhilarating
and excellent views of the Konkan valley.
Venna Lake
The Venna Lake is situated around 2 km from the ST bus stand and is among the most popular tourist places in Mahabaleshwar. The lake is 2.5 km long and is encircled by trees on all sides.
Tourists can enjoy activities like fishing and boating at the lake, they can even do a little horse riding. There are a few small eateries and strawberry stalls lined up at the banks of the lake.
Lord Mahabaleshwar Temple
Mahabaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the important pilgrimage sites for the Hindus.
The temple is situated in the Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, which is about 6 km north of the main city. Built in the 16th century by the Chanda Rao More dynasty, this temple is a quintessential of the Hemadant architectural style of South India.
Tapola
Tapola is located at a distance of about 27 km south of Mahabaleshwar and very less people know about this place. The small town is situated down the Tapola Ghat in the Koyna valley on the extreme backwaters of the Triveni Sangam of the Koyna, Solshi and the Kandhati River.
The
place is locally called as Mini Kashmir due to the tranquility and the
splendor of the Shivsagar Lake. The Shivsagar dam located here is
popular for motor boats. One can enjoy riding motorboats, speed boats
and scooter riders on the waters. There are many unidentified forts in
the deep forests around the lake too.
Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat is a popular tourist destination, which is located 12 km away from Mahabaleshwar. This place is named after Arthur Malet, who was the first man to build a house at this point.
The point is perched at the height of 1470 m above the sea level and 600 m above Konkan coastal strip. Arthur's Seat is the only place from where tourists can see the geographical distinction between the Konkan and the Deccan territories.
Where to Shop and What to Buy in Mahabaleshwar
In the Town Bazaar one would small shops and hawkers that sell almost everything. Most of these shops sell items like handicrafts, walking sticks, leather goods, tribal trinkets, Kolhapuri chappals, shoes, etc. Fresh fruits, pure honey, delicious jams, preserves, marmalades, squashes and jellies made of pure strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and mulberries can be bought from here, as they are a trademark of Mahabaleshwar.
If you are interested to buy these products at their place of manufacture then visit the Mapro Gardens situated en route Panchgani from Mahabaleshwar. The specialty of this place is that they let you taste the samples before buying them. Apart from jams, marmalades, preserves, syrups, toppings and squashes here, they also sell a wide variety of fruit salads, Strawberry shakes and ice creams too.
The Town Bazaar also has various other shops which sell items like clothes, leather goods, crochet dresses and shawls, baskets, decorative items and various handmade items as they are quite popular here. Don't forget to bargain with the local vendors as they tend to overcharge from tourists.
Towards the end of the Bazaar is the Imperial Store. It is a one stop
destination wherein tourists get everything from food & beverages,
medicines to movie videos and alcohol. The store was established during
the British era by an Iranian national and has been operated by
generations of the Iranian family till date. It is located on the Dr
Sabane Road which is popularly known as Main Street. The main street is
popular for shopping in Mahabaleshwar. Also visit the government
sponsored bee farms to buy freshly collected honey at these farms.
C.D.O. Hutments, Opp. L.I.C. Building (Yogakshema),
Madame Cama Road, Mumbai - 400020
Head Office:
Telephone: +91 22 2204 4040
Fax: +91 22 2202 4521, +91 22 2285 2182
Toll Free No: 1800 229 930
Email: contactmaharashtratourism@gmail.com
Website: www.maharashtratourism.gov.in
Emergency contact numbers
Some of the emergency contact numbers in Mahabaleshwar are as follows:
Hospitals: 260247
Police station number: 260333, 260217
Police: 100
Tourism board office: 2331217
Tourist Bureau number: 260271
Accident relief centre: 9860611110, 9226106100, 9420495233, 9403682962
Mahabaleshwar attracts hordes of tourists for its lovely views,
delightful allure, beautiful landscapes and pleasant temperatures. The
hill station almost shuts down during monsoons due to heavy rainfall in
the region. It is also the base of five lovely rivers. Mahabaleshwar is a
tranquil holiday spot as well as a great spiritual centre.
One can pay a visit to Mahabaleshwar hill station during the strawberry
fair, which is held in the months of spring each year. There are many
other superb opportunities waiting to be explored by the tourists.
How to Reach Mahabaleshwar
The hill station of Mahabaleshwar is easily reachable from different
parts of the country. The hill station is visited by a lot of tourists
every year and is linked with excellent roads, railway and air
connections. Be it a religious quest, a romantic journey or just a
relaxing vacation, tourists flock to this place from all over India, and
abroad. Mahabaleshwar is one of the most popular and favored tourist
destinations in Western India.By Air
The nearest airport to Mahabaleshwar is in Pune, located at a distance of around 120 km. To reach Mahabaleshwar from Pune, one can easily avail a bus, taxi or a private car. State operated buses and private luxury/ non- luxury buses are also easily available to reach Mahabaleshwar.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Satara, around 58 km and nearest major railway junction is at Pune (120 km). Another railway station is at Wather, located at a distance of 62 km. If you are taking a train to Mahabaleshwar, it would be better to reach the Pune railhead, as it is relatively more convenient than the other stations, because of its better connectivity to Mahabaleshwar. Private buses, mini-buses, state-operated buses, taxis are easily available between Pune and Mahabaleshwar.
By Road
Mahabaleshwar is well linked by roads from neighboring cities like Mumbai and Pune. The Maharashtra State Road Transport operates regular buses to Mahabaleshwar from the nearby cities of Pune and Mumbai. Private tour operators also offer various luxury/ non-luxury, AC/Non-AC, Deluxe and Volvo bus services to and from Mahabaleshwar. Taxis, shared cabs/taxis and private cars can also be booked to travel here. One can even drive their own vehicle to Mahabaleshwar, enjoying its tranquil beauty. It takes about 5 hrs by road to reach Mahabaleshwar from Mumbai.
Places to Visit in Mahabaleshwar
The hill station is important for its natural beauty and climate along
with its renowned historical background. There are many tourist
attractions in Mahabaleshwar like forts, temples, lakes, etc and many
more.
Mapro Garden
Mapro Gardens is a garden park in the hill station of Panchgani,
Maharashtra, India, situated close to Mahabaleshwar, known for their
strawberry produce, and a popular tourist destination. It is host to the
annual Strawberry Festival.
Pratapgarh Fort
Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja in 1656, the Pratapgarh Fort is located about 24 km west of Mahabaleshwar. The fort encompasses two ancient forts; the Upper Fort - built on the top of the hill and the Lower Fort.
Venna Lake
The Venna Lake is situated around 2 km from the ST bus stand and is among the most popular tourist places in Mahabaleshwar. The lake is 2.5 km long and is encircled by trees on all sides.
Tourists can enjoy activities like fishing and boating at the lake, they can even do a little horse riding. There are a few small eateries and strawberry stalls lined up at the banks of the lake.
Lord Mahabaleshwar Temple
Mahabaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the important pilgrimage sites for the Hindus.
The temple is situated in the Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, which is about 6 km north of the main city. Built in the 16th century by the Chanda Rao More dynasty, this temple is a quintessential of the Hemadant architectural style of South India.
Tapola
Tapola is located at a distance of about 27 km south of Mahabaleshwar and very less people know about this place. The small town is situated down the Tapola Ghat in the Koyna valley on the extreme backwaters of the Triveni Sangam of the Koyna, Solshi and the Kandhati River.
Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat is a popular tourist destination, which is located 12 km away from Mahabaleshwar. This place is named after Arthur Malet, who was the first man to build a house at this point.
The point is perched at the height of 1470 m above the sea level and 600 m above Konkan coastal strip. Arthur's Seat is the only place from where tourists can see the geographical distinction between the Konkan and the Deccan territories.
Kate's Point
Kate's Point is a huge rock, which stands around 50 m high. This point
is named after the daughter of Sir John Malcom, who was the founder of
Mahabaleshwar.
The point offers a beautiful view of Krishna Valley and
deep waters of Dhom Dam. Located along the Duchess Road, Kate's Point is
1,290 m above the sea level.
Elephant's Head Point
Elephant's Head Point is one of the most popular vantage points in
Mahabaleshwar. The overhanging cliffs of this point are similar to the
head of an elephant and its trunk.
From this point, tourist can also get
a view of the Sahyadri mountain range. Tourists can reach this point by
taking a pony ride from the parking area.
Lingamala falls
Lingmala Falls are located at a distance of 6 km from Mahabaleshwar.
This waterfall is formed by River Venna, which flows from the height of
500 ft.
This waterfall can only be seen during rainy season.
Connaught Peak
Connaught Peak Mahabaleshwar is perched at an elevation of 1400 m above
the sea level, which makes this the second highest peak in the hill
station.
Formerly known as Mount Olympia, this peak was renamed as
Connaught Peak after Duke of Connaught.
Shopping in Mahabaleshwar
The beautiful hill station of Mahabaleshwar is not essentially a
shopper's paradise, but tourists can treat themselves with certain
exclusive products. A stroll down the shopping streets of the Town
Bazaar will stimulate the shopper in you to sample and glance at the
different things the local shops have to offer.
Where to Shop and What to Buy in Mahabaleshwar
In the Town Bazaar one would small shops and hawkers that sell almost everything. Most of these shops sell items like handicrafts, walking sticks, leather goods, tribal trinkets, Kolhapuri chappals, shoes, etc. Fresh fruits, pure honey, delicious jams, preserves, marmalades, squashes and jellies made of pure strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and mulberries can be bought from here, as they are a trademark of Mahabaleshwar.
If you are interested to buy these products at their place of manufacture then visit the Mapro Gardens situated en route Panchgani from Mahabaleshwar. The specialty of this place is that they let you taste the samples before buying them. Apart from jams, marmalades, preserves, syrups, toppings and squashes here, they also sell a wide variety of fruit salads, Strawberry shakes and ice creams too.
The Town Bazaar also has various other shops which sell items like clothes, leather goods, crochet dresses and shawls, baskets, decorative items and various handmade items as they are quite popular here. Don't forget to bargain with the local vendors as they tend to overcharge from tourists.
Eating Out in Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar restaurants serve a variety of cuisines. Try
Maharashtrian food at Hirakani's - its to die for! If you are a pure
vegetarian, visit the Temple View restaurant. For nonveg lovers, try the
restaurant at hotel Poonam.
For fast food lovers the restaurant named
Pizza dishes up burgers and sandwiches in a jiffy. The Brightlands hotel
has some restaurants that specializes in chinese and continental
cuisine.
Don't leave Mahbaleswar without biting into the batata vada that is sold outside the Mahabaleshwar temple.
Tourism Department Contacts
The Maharashtra tourism departments contact details are as follows.
Office address:C.D.O. Hutments, Opp. L.I.C. Building (Yogakshema),
Madame Cama Road, Mumbai - 400020
Head Office:
Telephone: +91 22 2204 4040
Fax: +91 22 2202 4521, +91 22 2285 2182
Toll Free No: 1800 229 930
Email: contactmaharashtratourism@gmail.com
Website: www.maharashtratourism.gov.in
Emergency contact numbers
Some of the emergency contact numbers in Mahabaleshwar are as follows:
Hospitals: 260247
Police station number: 260333, 260217
Police: 100
Tourism board office: 2331217
Tourist Bureau number: 260271
Accident relief centre: 9860611110, 9226106100, 9420495233, 9403682962
Accommodation in Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is a traveler spot for tons of folks every year. There are
many hotels and resorts in Mahabaleshwar offering wonderful facilities
and state-of the art service to make the stay of the guests memorable
and remarkable. While some of the hotels tender a beautiful view of the
emerald beauty, the other ones are town based offering world class
amenities unlike anywhere else.3 Star Hotels
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4 Star Hotels
- Brightland Holiday Village
Address : Kates Point Road
City : Mahabaleshwar
State : Maharashtra
Pin Code : 412806
Phone No. : 02168-260700
Fax No. : 02168-260707
Email ID : info@bhvresort.com
Website : www.brightlandholiday.com
Type : 4 Star
Rooms in Hotel : 74
Maximum Room Rate : INR 25000
Minimum Room Rate : INR 6600
