| Sahyadri Hills |
| In the center of Sahyadri Hills in Satara District Mahabaleshwar, Queen of all Hill Stations is situated at an altitude of 1,372m. The three Sanskrit words, "Maha" (great), "Bal" (power) and "Ishwar" (God) is the literal meaning of the hill station derived from a temple of Lord Mahadev. Because of placid lakes, verdant hills and cascading waterfalls the hill station is not only famous for its scenic beauty but also for its various temples, spectacular viewpoints and historically significant places. It is a great place for holidaying as it provides ample opportunities for leisure activities such as fishing, boating and trekking. Located in the curvaceous mountain ranges of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra are the cool misty resorts of Mahabaleshwar which attracts number of tourist. Mahabaleshwar is a perfect getaway for spending some quality time away from the din and rush of the city. In the present days, Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist spot and also a pilgrimage site. Amidst one of the very few evergreen forests in the world, Mahabaleswar is the state's largest hill station that sprawls over an area of 150 sq km. |
|
 |
|
| 30 exotic viewpoints provide one with a spectacular access to the ultimate in fascinating landscapes. Most of the points derive their names from some former British dignitary and are situated in the 10-kilometer radius of the bazaar in Mahabaleshwar. Some points can be reached by motorable roads, whereas other can be reached on foot. Mahabaleshwar was discovered by the Britishers, who were always in search of places that provided them relief from the heat of the plains. Thus, the city still retains some of the old world charm, making it an perfect holiday destination. The lush green forests, blooming flowers and splendid ravines make you fall in love with them. The hill resort is also full of cascading waterfalls and gushing springs that seem to be adding to its glory and magnificence. |
|
| Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna River that flows across Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The legendary source of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of Mahadev in Old Mahabaleshwar. The first historical mention of Mahabaleshwar dates back to year 1215 when the King Singhan of Deogiri visited Old Mahabaleshwar. In the 17th century the great Maratha idol, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was inspired to free his country of foreign invaders. In 1819, the British included the hills in the territory of the Raja of Satara. Present day Mahabaleshwar came into existence in the year 1829-30. In old records it is mentioned as Malcolm Peth, but in practise today it is known as Mahabaleshwar. Raj Bhavan, the Summer residence of the Governor of Maharashtra, is also located here. |
|
| 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 also found in the brahma aranya area of Mahabaleshwar, while Panthers are rarely found. |
|
| The place is popular with tourists, especially from Mumbai and Pune, wanting to take a break from the rush of the rat race. The hill-station is very crowded during vacations like Christmas & Diwali and in summers. |
|
Mahabaleshwar closes during the monsoon season. During this period, from mid-June to mid-September, the local buildings are covered with kulum grass to prevent any damage from the torrential rains. During this period, the region receives about 6 metres of rain.
In the mid June to mid September the climate of Maharashtra is extremely damp and wet during rainy season. Warm in summer and fairly cold in winters attracts tourist to the hill station. Temperature varies between 16 and 20 degrees C in summer and during winter it falls even further. The best time to visit the hill station is from October to May. |
|
| To reach Mahabaleshwar |
By Air:
Pune is the nearest airport which is located at a distance of 120 km and you can get regular flights to Mumbai and the other cities of India from Pune. The airport has various facilities within its premises for tourists traveling to the place.
By Rail:
Wathar is the nearest railway station located at a distance of 62 km from the city.
By Road:
Good motorable roads connect Mahabaleshwar with Pune and Mumbai. There are regular state-operated buses that travel to Mahabaleshwar from the nearby cities of Pune and Mumbai. The hill station is located at a distance of 120 Kms from Pune and 285 Kms from Mumbai. |
 |