Introduction:

Mahabaleshwar offers panoramic view of the plains with the imposing sloppy peaks and surrounding woods. This prettiest hill station is often referred as the queen of hill stations in Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar offers you a quite revitalizing ambiance where you can witness the delightful vistas of nature at its full bloom. If your passion is to enjoy the sizzles of nature in an unruffled environment, you won't get a better place than Mahabaleshwar.

Photo Credit: Rishabh Tatiraju 

Destination Facts:
Location: Maharashtra, District Satara
Altitude: 1372 Meters
Area: 150 Sq. Km.
Temperature: (Summer 15 to 35°C) & (Winter 10 to 32°C)
Languages Spoken: Marathi and Hindi

Getting There:

Nearest Airports: Pune is the nearest airport
Main Railway Station: The nearest railway is Pune
Main Bus Station or Road: Bus service and taxi services and also Private vehicles are there to reach Mahabaleshwar

Distance of a few Major Towns from Mahabaleshwar:

Mumbai- 263 km, Pune- 118 km.

Eating Around:

Puran Poli, Vada Pav, Sabunada Khichdi, Misal Pav, Pohe are some famous dishes found here.

Places of Tourist Interest:

Pratapgad Fort:
It is a maze of ponds, chambers and long dark walkways, some of which lead to trap doors that open to a 100 meter fall. This place is also the site of the historic place. Climbing Pratapgad is exhilarating and offers excellent views of the Konkan valley.

                        PRATAPGAD FORT- MAHABALESHWAR  

Lingmala Waterfalls:
Lingmala Waterfalls present an enthralling sight of cascading water as it scatters from atop a steep cliff into thin silver streaks, often encircled by rainbow colors.

                      LINGMALA WATERFALL- MAHABALESHWAR             

The Dhobi Waterfalls:
 Dhobi Falls drop into a deep valley and then merge with the Koyna River. It is highly recommended to go here during the months from July to December, which is the best time to see these waterfalls.

Krishna Temple:
Old Mahabaleshwar is situated around the origin of the Holy Krishna River. There is a temple here dedicated to Lord Krishna. This place is locally known as "Panchganga" meaning "Five Rivers" i.e. Krishna, Konya, Yenna, Gayatri and Savitri.

Mapro Garden:
Mapro Garden is right ahead of the hoardings and billboards overhead advertising Mapro's scrummy delicacies like jams, jellies, strawberry milkshakes and loads of ice-creams. The garden today has 21 varieties of squashes, syrups, crushes and jellies varieties on display as well as sale. To add, Mapro has 6 jams, 9 flavors of ice-cream and 6 flavors of ice-cream toppings.

Wilson Point:
It is a vast bare rock with three observation towers erected at different spots. It is a major attraction for tourists as it offers a beautiful view of the sunrise.
Bombay point- This point is known as a sunset point in Mahabaleshwar.

Lodwick Point:
The most exotic view of the forest, Lodwick Point is the extreme end of the mountain range known as Elephant's Head. It is only 12 feet to the Koyna Valley below from Lodwick's point, the overhanging cliff looks like an elephant's head and trunk, and hence the name.

Tapola:
The dam is the biggest in Maharashtra - Known as 'Shivsagar'. Shivsagar dam is very popular for motor boats. One can enjoy boating here with nominal charges. Motorboats, Speed boats and scooter riders are the popular boating means here. There are many unknown forts and deep forest around the lake. 'Vasota' is one of the famous forest/fort here.

Baghdad Point:
It is easier to locate it as the end of the road takes us to backwaters of the Kanehar dam a beautiful spectacular view of the Mahabaleshwar plateau and the valleys below.
Panchgani- Panchgani which is a picturesque hill station and is ideal for adventure activities like trekking and hiking. Panchgani is a picturesque little town in the shade of groves of casuarinas and silver oak. Protected from harsh winds by a tableland on one side and high cliffs descending into a valley on the other, Panchgani has a pleasant, bracing climate throughout the year. Panchgani is also an ideal base for some good trekking from where one can explore several mule tracks that lead through the now thinning forests.

Table Land:
It is the second longest mountain plateau in Asia. The hills are a formation of late rite rock. They overlook some exquisite caves.
Parsi Point- This windy road situated on the way to Mahabaleshwar overlooks the Krishna valley and the blue mirror like waters of the Dhom Dam.
Dhom Dam- Dhom Dam water sports are one more amazing attraction for tourists which is 21 km away from Panchgani beautiful boating spot. Here one can enjoy with Scooter boats and Speed boats. Sporting in Krishna river stream with the beautiful natural surrounding is a wonderful experience in itself.

TABLE LAND-MAHABALESHWAR

Getting around the Destination:

For local transportation in Mahabaleshwar, taxis, rickshaws and horses are available.

Shopping Areas & Entertainment:

Mahabaleshwar is known for produces like fresh strawberries, gooseberries and Rasberries. One can purchase fresh, Jams, preserves and marmalades, squashes, jellies. One can buy fresh honey and fresh orange colored carrots and fresh corn.

Best time to Visit:

October to June is the best time to visit the destination.

Festivals:

The main festivals are: Gudhi Padava, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Diwali, Christmas, etc. Gudhi Padava Maharashtrian New Year's Day is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month Chaitra (March-April). Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the month of August - September.