Mahabaleshwar
is a beautiful hill station, nestled in the Western Ghats Range of
India. Earlier the summer resort to the British, Mahabaleshwar is today
a popular holiday resort, especially for the exhausted souls. It is to
be found about 285 kms from Mumbai, in the Satara district of
Maharashtra. 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. In Sanskrit, the term 'Mahabaleshwar' stands for 'The God of Great Power'. Hemmed in green valleys on all sides, Mahabaleshwar has an altitude of 1438 m (4710 ft) at the Wilson or generally called Sunrise Point. Not only famous as a hill station, it is even more revered because of the ancient Mahabaleswar Temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. And being an important pilgrimage site of the Hindus and a beautiful hill station, Mahabaleshwar is a noteworthy place on the chart of travel and tourism in India.
Tourist Attractions
Venna Lake grasps the attention of people with its picturesque locale, encircled by trees on all sides. A boat ride in the late evenings of winters makes one just awestruck by nature's splendor. You can also go for horse riding on the path along the lake. And traverse the most-beautiful milieu that you have ever imagined through the roads, apt for nice walks and treks. Morarji Castle is an old structure, where Mahatma Gandhi once stayed in 1945.
Other interesting site to be visited is Mount Malcolm, which is an old building famous for its amazing architecture. A dilapidated Catholic church is yet another popular place, celebrated for its striking stained-glass windows. If you want to play Golf in the arresting beauty of nature, Mahabaleshwar Club is the place to head for. Pratapgad Fort, which dates back to the 17th century, is an imposing structure that still has its hoary charm alive. Indeed, this hill station offers no less than 30 valley viewpoints that present lovely vistas of the vales.
Lodwick Point, sited at the edge of a hill, presents a scenic vista of the surrounding hills and the valley. Dhobi Waterfall is a stunning cascade flanked by Lodwick and Elphinstone Point. At an altitude of 1348 meters, Arthur's Seat is a lovely place that offers an impressive view of the Jor Valley. As you move about a kilometer from here, you will reach 'Tiger's spring' - another great site to spend some time in solitude. Mahabaleshwar Temple, a must-visiting place, is a shrine immersed in divine mysticism.
The point of the five rivers (Krishna, Koyna, Savitri, Veena and Gayatri) that gush over the Deccan Plateau presents a remarkable sight, should not to be missed. At the top of Venna Valley, Lingmala Waterfall is an uninterrupted fall that offers a nice place to hang on and enjoy the clear waters. Wilson Point, sited at 1,435 meters, is the highest point of this quiet hill station. Helen's Point, Badington Point, Falkland Point and Carnac Point are some other points that too, offer commanding vista of the region around.
Accommodation
Mahabaleshwar is a serene hill station and holy pilgrimage which attracts scores of tourists and devotees throughout the year. Owing to its great potential for travel and tourism, accommodation facilities are available here. Hotels, Guest houses and lodges, you can find every possible places to stay in Mahabaleshwar. In short and snappy terms, Mahabaleswar is a lovely place that cannot be afforded to miss in India. Some of the best hotels in Mahabaleshwar are Vimal Gardens & Temple View Hotel.