It was winter season and we completed our exams so we planned to go to mahabaleshwar. We hired a private car from our place. It was awesome ride from Mumbai Pune express highway. Its one of the best highway and we literally were driving at 120km/hr. we reached within 4hrs from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar.
Mahabaleshwar is largest hill station in maharastra situated in satara district.
OTHER OPTIONS TO REACH:
MSRTC (BUS) offer services to all the travellers. It connects the city to Nasik (328km), Mumbai (220km), Pune (113km), and Kolhapur (179km). Therefore how to reach Mahabaleshwar by road is not a major worry.
You can take Volvo from Mumbai, from Dadar East, Sion or Vashi. The ride will take you 6 hours and will cost around Rs 500. An ordinary AC bus will cost Rs 200. Best Volvo services charge approx Rs 250 each way. The Govt. Express bus from swargate , Pune starting 5.45AM and every hour with a moderate price of 120/- per individual.
The nearest railway station to Mahabaleshwar is located at Wathar which is at a distance of 60 km. Pune railway station is again a convenient way to travel to Mahabaleshwar.
If you are travelling on your own vehicle there are lots of places in ghats which will give mesmerizing effect and perfect spot to click a pic. Specially if you are going in rainy season you can small waterfalls where you can chill out and enjoy.
If you go from Poladpur just 15km from it you can can find pratagad. The fort has two parts lower fort and upper fort. The upper fort was built upon the crest of the hill. From there you see the entire Mahabaleshwar. The lower fort is located at the southeast of the fort, and is defended by towers and bastions.
This fort symbolizes our ancient culture and one the great Maratha leader Shivaji Maharaj
PS: If you have motion Sickness don’t go from via Mahad and Poladpur.
WHICH SPOTS YOU MUST NOT MISS IN THIS MAHABALESHWAR:
The following are a must:
• Lodwick Point
• Arthur’s Seat
• Babington Point
• Wilson Point
• Kate’s Point
• Bombay Point (Sunset Point)
• Elephant’s head Point
• Lingamala Falls
• Venna Lake
• Shankar temple
• Panchganga temple
Lodwick point: From here you can get the stunning view of hills and valleys. It is also known as Sidney Point, it offers amazing views of the Pratapgad Fort and some other points.
Aurther seat point: A great place to visit. You will find an echo point. Try shouting at the point, it will be awesome. The little amount of mist travelling over the mountains makes you feel more awesome. The viel of trees on the either side in this mist makes you feel that you are on some different planet. Imagine this beauty of the path leading to the Arthur’s seat and just think how beautiful the point will be. You can also enjoy bhuna hua makka and with soothing air.
Babington Point: the right time to visit this point is during winter. The fog over this place is so nice that you will feel as if you are in clouds.
Wilson Point: also known as sunrise point if you are morning lover visit this place surely. You can experience the change in sky and birds flying all over. The absolute superb point. You can see the Tableland of Panchgani on one side, to the left of it you will see the site of Kate’s and Echo point.
Kate’s Point: Monkeys are the main hosts at Kate’s point. You will find a naughty monkeys waiting to snatch food out of your hand or wanting to enter your car to check up for hidden food. There are also Monkey families moving in groups, cuddling together or scratching each other. But other than the entertaining hosts, Kate’s point offers a wonderful view of the valley, water falls and the river.
Bombay Point (Sunset Point): you will feel your so near to sun and as if you gonna grab it. If your photo freak its best place. Don’t miss it.
Elephant’s head Point: The Elephant’s Head Point is one of the best points to be visited in Mahabaleshwar. The cliffs which overhang depict an elephant’s head and trunk. Thus the point got its name as the Elephant’s Head Point. . We have to take a pony ride (negotiate hard) or walk from the parking area to the spot. You can hire a horse or camel at this place just try and negotiate with the cost. The mountain range of Sahyadri is also visible from this point.
Tip: Avoid trekking from the point in the night as there are very few street lights and the forest is dense and there are snakes, boars & leopards who are active in the night.
Lingamala Falls: mahabaleshwar tour is incomplete without visiting Lingamala falls,
You can have a tour guide from Panchgani & he will take you to the forest.
This way goes through small waterfall & small river. It’s a wild adventure to for this tour.
Soon you hear the dazzeling sound of Lingamala falls it will rejoices your mood. On a moment you get the breathtaking view of Lingmala falls which will make your body shiver. And you wont feel like leaving the place.
PS: go back on time because its risky and there are chances that you get miss the road and get stuck in jungle.
Venna lake: if you are fond of boating this place is for you. Its bit crowded and you will find long queue for tickets. But the its worth watching place. There are many stalls near by where you will get chaat, juices, Chinese etc. You can take horse ride and its absolute fun.
Shankar temple: The Shankar temple is one of the most prominent Hindu temples of Mahabaleshwar. It is the self-appearing or "swayambhoo" Mahalinga of Lord Shiva. The Shankar Temple is unique and even among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple is a beautiful and magnificent complex. The temple is a great retreat for devotees and nirvana seekers because of its religious significance as well as the scenic beauty surrounding it.
Panchganga temple: The Panchganga is formed, by four streams coming together , the Kasari, the Kumbhi, the Tulsi and the Bhogawati. Local tradition believes in an underground stream Saraswati which together with the other four streams make the Panchganga. There is kund in the middle where you can wash your legs which actually symbolizes as cleaning yous sins.
SPECIALITIES
Strawberries, Mulberries and carrots are the specialities of Mahabaleshwar. One should not forget to try the corn pattice and corn available in both roasted and boiled form with masalas.
Mahabaleshwar market is a good place to buy leather footwear at a bargain price. You can purchase good quality ’Chikkis’ and fudges from the Mahabaleshwar market.
Mapro restaurant: Pizzas, sandwiches, chocolates, crushes, ice creams, mojitos, syrups, honey anything you try is best over here. If you are food lover visit this place for sure. Nearby there is mapro store where you can buy mapro products such as jam, fruit crush, restore beverage, longue beverage, squash beverage, premium beverage, falero, bars and jellies, desert toppings, mazzana choclates, fruit drinks.
If you are strawberry lover you will find many ice cream corners with specially strawberry flavour.
The market place is crowded and you can have a walk after dinner. If you going in winter its must to carry your jackets and sweaters. It’s terribly cold.
HOTELS AND LODGINGS
If you are visiting this place beware of the agents who promises to take you to best hotels as you have to pay the overhead. Try and take place near market as it’s near to all facilties and all the hotels nearby. You can also get budget hotels here along with 3 and 5 star hotels. But this hotels are far away and near various points.
CONCLUSION
So as a conclusion I can say this is perfect spot for your weekend. As it is also know as mini Kashmir. Those who don’t get chance or time to visit Kashmir or other hill stations surely visit this place. You will have good time here and as it’s far from city and less crowdy and totally pollution free.