Matheran is that kind of place where you long to go again and again.You just cannot get enough of this place.It is so wonderful to be here.I am a Bombayite and this is the nearest and fastest I can get to if I need a getaway desperately.City life can be like that.It creeps up on you suddenly and you feel stifled and wish to run away to some place which is quiet.Matheran is the place for you.This happens to be Jackie Shroff’s favorite place too.He never stops waxing eloquent about it.So let me do my bit about it also.
Getting there is very easy.You have so many alternatives.One is by catching any train from Dadar station and getting off at Neral.From Neral you have the choice of either catching the Toy Train or catching the Share a cab or simply by hiking it up.Along the way, you are afforded all sorts of scenic vistas which make you thankful that you are so near to all this scenery.You immediately forget all your worries and start relaxing.
The hike is really good and invigorates you as you walk up the winding road to Matheran.I always go this way and it does things to me.Although I am a bit on the heavier side and I end up getting winded I enjoy the walk.Cars are allowed upto Dasturi Naka or point.No cars are allowed inside Matheran.That is the beauty of this hill station.There is absolutely no pollution to talk about.
Hotels are a dime a dozen over here and they suit all budgets.There are people who accost you on the road itself and offer you their places which they give out on rent.All this can be bargained with these simple folks.Some of them even throw in meals as part of the plan.We were lucky enough to get an old couple who gave us their place to stay in for a couple of days.It saved us a lot of money because we ended up paying RS500 per day, per couple with all meals.Of course, the meals were vegetarian but delicious and sumptous.Nothing like a home cooked meal to cheer you up isnt’ it?
To visit Matheran has so many places that it will require at least a week to enjoy the scenic views around.There are mules and horses available which cost you around RS150-200 for a seven point tour.This can take upto a whole day.Go to matheran with at least 3 camera rolls and I assure you all will be exhausted.Go to any of these points and photograph a sunrise or a sunset.
You can get all sorts of cuisines over here.The Lord’s hotel owned by the famous Jimmy Lord is the best among hotels over here and the food also is lovely.You can buy all sorts of goodies over here, the most famous of them being the fudges.The almond and the cashew nut fudges are the best and you should go to Maganlal Chikkiwalla to get them.He is king of the heap in Matheran.Then nothing like fresh honey sold in bottles which is milked right there in front of you from the honeycomb.The tribals over there venture out into the forests around Matheran to get us this pure natural product.It is worth the price that they charge per bottle, but here also you can bargain.
The worst part about Matheran is that the tourists do not care about this spot any longer.The way they drop waste and rubbish is to be seen to be believed.Another bad part is the red colored mud which really gives your shoes a red coat which simply refuses to go away.The locals call it Nisargamay Matheran which in the marathi language means Heavenly Matheran.Which is as near as it gets to describing this wonderful spot.The best time to visit Matheran is during the winter season.
Within a few weeks, winter shall touch the shores of India.Start preparing to go to this wonderful spot and have the time of your life.You just cannot have it any better.