Mahabaleshwar

Introduction : Mahabaleshwar along with Panchgani makes the most popular hill resorts in the Maharashtra state of India. Far way from the madding crowds the hill resort makes an excellent holiday destination. The natural beauty of Mahabaleshwar attracts nature lovers, film directors, holidaymakers, peace seekers and adventurers alike. The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar is the place to be at in the summers. The heat and the dust of the plains give way to the cool breezes and the gorgeous greens of Mahabaleshwar. The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar derives its name from the God "Mahabali". There is a temple dedicated to Lord Mahabali namely the old Mahabaleshwar Temple.

Location : The marvelous hill resort of Mahabaleshwar lies in the curvaceous mountain ranges of the western ghats of Maharashtra. Overlooking the Krishna and Koyna valleys the hill resort of Mahabaleshwar is located at an altitude of 1372 meters.

Past : The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar was the summer capital of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency. The quintessential charm of Mahabaleshwar can still be felt in the majestic mansions that dot the hill resort. Mahabaleshwar Tour Packages.

Sites to Visit : The old Mahabaleshwar Temple of Mahabaleshwar is one of the important landmarks in the hill resort. The presiding deity of the temple Lord Mahabali lends its name to the hill resort.
For the nature lovers Mahabaleshwar offers several waterfalls. You can check out the Lingmala waterfall, Chinaman's waterfall and the Dhobi waterfalls. The lovely landscape around the Lake Vena and the wondrous waters are ideal for boating in Mahabaleshwar.
The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar has as many as thirty vintage points to enjoy the beauty of nature. The Wilson Point happens to be the highest in Mahabaleshwar. There are special observation towers that are used to enjoy the spectacular views. You must not miss the splendid view of the sunrise from the Wilson Point.

Then there is the Babington point that offers panoramic vistas of the Koyna valley and Chinaman's waterfall. Helen's point on the Blue Valley Road is the place to be at to feast your eyes on the fertile fields. Then there is the old-time favorite Bombay point that offers a spectacular view of the sunset besides Pratapgarh and Makrandgarh
You may try hearing your echoes clearly at the Echo Point, which, true to its name, echoes the words of the speaker.
Connaught peak or the Mount Olympia is favorite spot amongst the riders at come to Mahabaleshwar. You can enjoy the views of the Vena Lake and Krishna Valley from the Connaught peak. Hunter's point approached from Old Mahabaleshwar Road, gives a picture perfect view of the Koyna Valley.

Sites Near By : The twin hill resort town of Panchgani makes an excellent excursion option from Mahabaleshwar. The groves of casuarinas and silver oak line up the hill resort. The hill resort of Panchgani derives its name from the fact that there are five hills that surround it. Panchgani at an altitude of 1334 m attracts several tourists. While at Panchgani you may check out the panoramic views of Krishna Valley, rivers and fields. You must enjoy the spectacular sights from the various viewpoints like the Sidney Point, Parsi Point and the Graves Point. The hill resort also offers other places of tourist interest like the Caves, Devil's kitchen, Kamlagad fort, Municipal Garden and the Children's park. Panchgani is renowned for its strawberries, blackberries, jams and fruit jellies. Besides being a hill resort Panchgani is educational center too. Panchgani houses several renowned boarding schools. Mahabaleshwar Hill Resort.
While holidaying at Mahabaleshwar you may even plan an excursion to the Pratapgad Fort. At a distance of 24 kilometers from Mahabaleshwar the fort stands in testimony to the historic achievements of the great Maratha leader, Shivaji. While at the Pratapgad you must visit the temple dedicated to goddess Bhavani. There is a seventeen-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the fort. The statue stands on a ten feet high square edifice. Near the fort lies the dargah of Afzal Khan, who was killed in a clash with Shivaji.

Adventure Sports : Mahabaleshwar offers opportunities and facilities for a complete holiday. At the hill resort you may indulge in activities like boating, fishing, horse riding, trekking et al. You may even try golf at the nine-hole golf course of Mahabaleshwar.
How to Reach : The airport at Pune is the nearest to the hill resort of Mahabaleshwar. At a distance of 120 km the Pune airport caters to the needs of the tourists to Mahabaleshwar.
In case you settle for rail transport to Mahabaleshwar Pune makes a convenient railhead, 120 km away. Though the railhead nearest to Mahabaleshwar is that of Wathar at a distance of 62 km.
The excellent road network links Mahabaleshwar with the other important places in Maharashtra. Regular buses of the state transport link Mumbai and Pune to Mahabaleshwar. Further from Mahabaleshwar buses are available for excursions and sightseeing trips to places like the Pratapgad Fort.
For local transportation in Mahabaleshwar there are taxis, rickshaws, bicycles and horses that are available

Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit the hill resort of Mahabaleshwar is from October to June. The cool breezes in the summer months of the hill resort work magic on the stressed and sun scorched souls of the plains

Where to Stay : Accommodation is not a problem in the hill resort of Mahabaleshwar. There are accommodation options that suit various budgets. You may go in for the economical tourist Bungalows, holiday resorts or the hotels. There are several options offered by the Maharastra Tourism development Corporation in Mahabaleshwar
Good and hygienic food is easily available at the many hotels and restaurants of Mahabaleshwar. You may feast on the Gujarati vegetarian meals, continental, Chinese and Mughlai specialties.