Mahabaleshwar is one of the most spectacular and the largest of Maharashtra’s hill-stations. Mahabaleshwar in Sanskrit means God of Great Power .
Mahabaleshwar, Queen of all Hill Stations , is situated at an altitude of 1, 372 mts in the heart of Sahyadri Hills in the Satara District. The hill station has a legendary past. The name ’Mahabaleshwar’ is derived from a temple of Lord Mahadev and three Sanskrit words, ’’Maha’’ (great), ’’Bal’’ (power) and ’’Ishwar’’ (God) .
The British, in order to escape the summer heat of the plains and in their search for cooler pleasant climates, were always looking for mountain tops and plateaus for recreation and change. So it happened that Col. Lodwick (Late General Sir Peter Lodwick) stationed at Satara, in April 1824, with a contingent of soldiers and Indian guides climbed up the mountain face reaching what is now known as the Lodwick Point . Thus Mahabaleshwar was ’’Discovered’’.
Mahabaleshwar is famous for its scenic beauty and the splendid view of the valleys and the sea, which is quite visible in clear days. Pony rides on the lanes of Mahabaleshwar, are quite thrilling.
Several charming hill resorts nestle in these mountains. They seem to belong to the colonial era when people travelled up to these resorts to escape the heat of the plains. Many of them still retain some of the ’Old World charm’ and this makes it an ideal holiday destination. Mahabaleshwar is by far one of the best holiday spots in Maharashtra for excursions, adventure sports and many other activities.
The jungle of Mahabaleshwar is thick & produces many commercial as well as medicinal trees & plants. The wild life is limited to foxes, jackals, & wild boars. Deers & bisons are found in the Brahma aranya area. Panthers are rare. The famous bird in the urdu poetry, Bulbul is found everywhere in the plateau. The weather of Mahabaleshwar is healthy & contains an ideal of 20% oxygen , which is often agumented in foggy weather, during summers & early monsoon, when the plateau is covered by thick mist.
Wilson Point
Also called as the Sunrise point . This is the highest point in Mahableshwar at 4710 ft above sea level . It is a vast plateau. There are three masonary round platforms to see the sunrise. The sunrise and sunset can be viewed from this the second platform point.
Connaught peak
The second highest point . Presents a panoramic view of the valley like a green carpet. You can see sunrise as well as the sunset from this point.
Elphiston point
The first point of Mahabaleshwar overlooking the two valleys, Koyna on the left & Savitri on the right.
Marjorie Point
From here one can view the several ranges of the Sahyadri mountains.
Castle Rock
On the way to the Arthur’s seat gives a good glimpse of the Savitri valley.
Arthur’s Point
Arthur’s seat point is an exotic and picturesque spot , overlooking the Konkan. On the way to theArthur’s point are the ancient temples of Lord Shiva and the ’Gau-Mukha’ - Connected to a source of water. This is supposed to be the source of the five Deccan rivers - viz, Krishna, Koyna, Veena, Savitri & Gayatri.
Baghdad Point
A very beautiful point. To reach this point one has to pass village Moleshware on the way. There is a superb scenic view of the back waters of Koyna dam on your left, river Solshi in front surrounded by tiny villages. The vast green slopes of the Mahableshwar plateau is visible on right.
Babington Point
Height 1295 m. Another point which close to the bazaar. One can have a beautiful view of Saddleback and the Koyna Valley.
Northcote Point
Presents Koyna valley view & saddle back.
Falkland Point
Below it the Artists Point also called as lovers point by some nature lover, presents a beautiful view of Koyna and the valley below.
Carnac Point
On the same way of Falkland point.
Bombay Point
A very popular sunset point. One can get a glimpse of the Sahyadri mountains , the Koyna valley & Pratapgarh.
The Lamington Plateau
One can travel by footpath from Ganpati Mandir. One needs to follow the map correctly to 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.
Rosamond Rock
The grandeur of its celestial beauty surpasses all the limits of descriptions.
Water Falls
Chinamans, Lingmala & Dhobi waterfalls are present here. All these waterfalls flow in abundance only during the rainy season.
Polo Ground
In a clearing near Bombay Point, the ground offers an almost agoraphobic view of the clear azure skies above through a rim of thick foliage.
Bee keeping centre
Educational displays on the manufacture of honey by bees.
Famous Places in the vicinity of Mahabaleshwar
Pratapgarh Fort
A visit to Pratapgad Fort, 24 kilometers from Mahabaleshwar, adds a historical dimension to the Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani holiday. Pratapgad has the honor of being an authentic Maratha fort . From a distance it looks like a round-topped hill, walls of the lower fort forming a kind of bend or crown around the brow. The road leading to the gateway lies through a small, but thick forest.
The famous temple of Goddess Bhavani is on the eastern side of the lower fort. It consists of a hall and a shrine. The shrine, made of black stone, is the image of the goddess and over it is a small spire or shikhar.
An equestrian bronze statue, of Chhatrapati Shivaji was erected in the fort in 1957. The 17-foot statue is placed on a square edifice, which is 10 feet high. And, a little away from the fort, is the dargah of Afzal Khan.
Venna Lake
Distance 1.5 kms. A walking distance off the Pune highway, Venna Lake is a great attraction. With its picture-postcard sight, boating facilities and stalls for games and snacks, this place keeps busy late into the night. After the sunset, with gentle hill slopes dotted with hotels and bungalows, the sight is alluring, especially if you are floating in a boat on the calm waters. For children, a ride in the Mini Train is an added attraction. One can also do a spot of fishing and some riding at this place.
The Krishnabai Temple
One of the temples in the complex -- was built during the Yadava Dynasty by Raja Singham in the 13th Century AD. It was renovated and improved by the Mores of Jaoli. Shivaji and his mother Jijabai are thought to have visited Mahabaleshwar to seek spiritual advice from a learned Brahmin living there. The temple sports a stone-carved Gomukha (the head of a sacred cow) through which it is believed, water for the five rivers -- Krishna, Venna, Koyana, Savitri and Gayatri -- flows out. This temple is therefore known as Panchganga Temple (or the temple of five rivers). The Ram Temple has beautiful idols of Ram, Laxman and Seeta and the Hanuman Temple was founded by Saint Ramdas Swami, the revered spiritual teacher who was a contemporary of Shivaji.
Mahabaleshwar’s Water Falls :
Lingmala
Distance 6 kms. An overflow from Venna Lake cascades down a steep drop into the Venna Valley. This is a seasonal place of interest. During the monsoon, the fall is magnificent and one can easily make out three stages of drops. After the rains, it thins into a mere trickle.
Chinaman Water-Fall
2 kms from the town. In the past there were gardens close by, cultivated by Chinese convicts -- hence the name.
Dhobi Waterfall
Distance 3 kms. These falls are on the path connecting Lodwick point to Elphinstone Point. The falls though insignificant, are situated in a lovely nook looking straight at the southern side of the Elphinstone Point. The rocks on either side of the falls are green with foliage.