Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar via Mahad is 220 kms.
Pune to Mahabaleshwar is 120 kms.
Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar is 19 kms.
Area: Vast green plateau of about 150 sq. kms. Height: 4500 feet above sea level.
Climate: Never too hot because of the heights. Never too cold because of the nearness to the Arabian sea. Duration of higher temperature is short.
Seasons: October, Diwali & X’mas holidays & Summer. Hotels are open round the year even during the rainy seasons.
Some Fascinating Information:
Mahabaleshwar was established as a health resort in 1829 AD.
It was a jail for chinese & Malay convicts from 1834 to 1864. The capacity of the jail was 120 prisoners. These prisoners introduced cultivation of red potatoes, strawberries & weaving of cane & bamboo baskets. Many of the prisoners stayed at Mahabaleshwar after they were released
Short History:
Maharaja Pratapsinha of Satara (1818 to 1839) engineered a scheme to develop M’war as a health resort. sir John Malcolum, the first governor to visit Mahabaleshwar in 1828, established M’war in 1829. Sir Charles Malet, the first resident in Pune darbar of the Peshwas in 1791 happens to be the first european to step on this plateau.
Novelties of Mahabaleshwar:
An evergreen vast plateau with long beautiful roads, horse rides & foot paths along forest. Honey & chikki, channas, waling sticks. Fruits like strawberries, raspberries , goose berries & muberries. Vegetables like red potatoes, french beans, beets, salad, carrots, raddishes. Boating in Venna lake.
Sightseeing Of various points as under:
Wilson Point also called as Sunrise point. The highest point. 4710 ft above sea level. It is a vast plateau. There are three masonary round platforms to see the sunrise. You are advised to see sunrise from platform no:2. You can see sunset also from this point.
Connaught peak: The second highest point. Presents panoramic view of a green carpet. You can see sunrise as well as sunset from this point.
Elphiston point: The first point of M’war/ Overlooking two valleys, koyna on the left & savitri on the right.
Marjorie Point: shoes several ranges of the Sahyadri range.
Castle Rock: On the way to the Arthur’s seat shows savitri Valley.
Arthur’s Seat: Queen of all points. Some compare the stractification of rocks on southern side to the world famous stratification of rocks of the Grand Canyon of Colarado. USA. It is facinating to see the barren deep valley Savitri on the left & shallow green valley on the right. It is more facinating to know that Arthur’s seat is the only place showing geographical distinction of kokan & Desh (Deccan), two territories of Mahabaleshwar, so clear & so near. If you go by the steps you come across a spring known as Tiger’s spring which is supposed to be the source of the river Savtri. Immidiately below the seat is window point. You have to go deep by steps to reach the window point.Kates Point: Offers breathtaking view of krishna valley & deep waters of the dhom dam. From southern side it looks like an elephants head. There is also an echo point.
Baghdad Point: A very beautiful point. It goes past village Moleshware on the way. You see a superb scenic view of the back waters of koyna dam on your left, river solshi in front of you with tiny villages as if sqatting on river banks & vast green slopes of M’war plateau on your right.
Babington Point: Presents a view of saddle back & Koyna valley.
Northcote Point: Presents koyana valley view & saddle back.
Falkland Point: & below it the Artists Point also called as lovers point by some nature lover, presents beautiful koyana & valley below you.
Carnac Point: is on the same way of falkland point.
Fitzgerald Point: same view of Bombay point.
Bombay Point: very popular sunset point. Shows the sahyadri range koyana valley & pratap garh.
Gaolani Point: At a distance of about 7 kms from ST bus station, by Tapola road you will meet the junction of road which will lead you to village Maharola From Maharola with little inquiry or following the map it should not be difficult to find this point. after reaching the point you will find yourself standing over a pass known as Zolachi Khind & enjoy the scenery of two valleys on the two sides. If you walk by gaolani ride you will enjoy the scenery of koyana valley on your right hand at many spots.
Lodwick Point & Boars Head: Protruding towards pratapgardh from M’war plateau you will see the surrounding scenery with awe.
The Lamington Plateau: You can go to by a foot path from ganapati mandir. If you follow the map correctly you will reach the plateau safely.
Panchgani Point: shows the tableland of panchgani on the eastern side.
Helen’s Point: River solshi starts from this point with a small fall near her origin. Poetic blue valley will be in front of you.
Rosamond Rock: The grandeur of its celestial beauty surpasses all the limits of descriptions.
Water Falls: Chinamans, Lingmala & Dhobi waterfalls, flow in abundance only during the rainy season.
Polo Ground: Often been used as a helipad, also used for learning car driving.
Bee keeping centre: Educational displays on the manufacture of honey by bees.
Famous Places in the vicinity of Mahabaleshwar:
Pratap Gadh: At a distance of 25 kms from Mahabaleshwar stands the majestic Pratapgadh housing the tomb of Afzalkhan at the toe of the fort. There is a temple of bhavani mata, the idol of worship of King Shivajiraje Bhosle. There is a statue of Shivaji Maharaj inside the fort called Bale killa.
Table land: Largest in Asia. A small plane can land here.