We often call Mahabaleshwar the best holiday destination anytime round the year. Well, set on a plateau of 150 sq. kms. , and at a height of 1435 mts, the destination is the best place to relax and rejuvenate yourself. Furthermore, there are many reasons why people think about visiting this hill station. Firstly, it’s all about the beautiful viewpoints which you can reach by walking leisurely. Besides, you can enjoy a boat ride around the Venna Lake, head towards a dense evergreen forest, have some mouth-watering snacks, visit some Chikki shops or walk down a 400 meters mall road for shopping. You may also relish some ice-cream and drop by outlets to purchase designer chappals. While the place has something more to offer, you would love to visit the place every evening. So, let’s glimpse some places you must visit while at the hill station.
Arthur’s Seat
Situated very much above the sea level, the Arthur’s Seat offers a delightful view of the river Savitri as well as the view of the ‘Bramha Aranya’. This viewpoint was named after Arthur Malet who used to stare aimlessly and used to grief over to loss of his adorable daughter and wife. The tranquil ambiance awaits you when you reach the point soon after a long distance 30 mins trek. The most distinct thing regarding this place is that you can really experience the anti-gravitational phenomenon. Once you throw any object, it rises upwards owing to the high air pressure.
Elephant’s Head Point
As it’s evident from the name, this point boasts a rock formation that closely resembles the head of an elephant. Since the viewpoint also seems like a needle hole when viewed from a distance, the point is also nicknamed as the Needle Point. As soon as you arrive at the place, you can either enjoy watching the serene valley or spend some extra time with your near and dear ones. We recommend you to visit this point during the monsoon season because you could rejuvenate yourself with greenery across the area.
Venna Lake
Nestled in an area with breath-taking views as the backdrop, the Venna Lake is supposed to be one of the oldest lake in Maharashtra. While you reach near the lake, you can go for a boat ride or simply spend moments basking under daylight. Besides, you can binge on some food items and set ahead to ride a horse leisurely along the shore of the lake. What’s more – this lake could just be a perfect picnic spot with nature’s beauty sprawled across 7 to 8 kms. With tall trees around the area, the lake offers more than just a waterfront brimming with activity.
Connaught Peak
As you hike uphill and reach Mount Olympia or Connaught Peak, the spot reveals the beauty of the surroundings along with the Krishna Valley, Venna Lake, Pratapgarh Fort and Pasarani. It’s worth visiting this viewpoint because you could check out the sunrise or sunset against the hills of the Sahyadri Range. Later, you wouldn’t regret spending those moments when the peak is almost 1400 meters above the sea level.
Wilson Point
Among several viewing points, the Wilson Point is a place from where you’ll be able to watch the sunset and the sunrise. To make the most of your trip, you can walk leisurely around the three towers and capture the photogenic views from different angles. If you still want to spend some more family time, then you can halt at one of the picnic spot in the area. Even though the hilltop is known to be Sindola Hill, the point is named after Sir Leslie Wilson, who was the governor of Mumbai in the past.
Pratapgarh Fort
Located atop one of the hills in Mahabaleshwar, the Pratapgarh fort is sure to entice you because it was strategically built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. While you take a stroll around the fortress, you could capture the spectacular view of the skyline from the watchtower. Additionally, you can pray at the Bhavani Temple and know more about the rich cultural heritage at the library. You could even admire the statue of Shivaji Maharaj which still stands upright within the sun-drenched area.
Krishnabai Temple
When you’re near the Krishnabai Temple, you could certainly marvel at the Hemadpanthi architectural style prevalent in the year 1888. Apart from the distinct statue of Lord Krishna, the temple houses an intricately carved cow with water flowing from its mouth. This Gomukh is nothing but the origin of the Krishna river which flows towards a tank (Kund). Further ahead, as you explore the interiors, you would also be able to view the intricately sculptured ceilings.
Mahabaleshwar Temple
Dedicated to our Lord Shiva, the Mahabaleshwar Temple boasts a pyramidal tower with carvings across the interiors. As you start roaming around the premises, you can admire the 6 feet tall Swayambhu Shiva Linga. Moreover, you could head to the square platform, the place where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had donated gold to the poor many years ago. While the surrounding area is serene, you could simply take snaps of picturesque surroundings from the location. You can even go through some of the belongings of Lord Shiva. These include Rudraksha, Trishul, Damru, and the statue of Nandi.
Panch Ganga Temple
Constructed by Singhandeo, the Yadava King, the Panch Ganga Temple is a monument that’s just next to the Mahabaleshwar Temple. When you reach the temple, you will be surprised to see the confluence of the River Krishna, Gayatri, Koyna, Veena, and Savitri. Way ahead, the temple has a hall with an idol of Lord Vishnu. Most often, you will observe many tourists thronging the area during the monsoon season.
Mapro Garden
If you wish to cherish some moments in nature’s lap, then you must surely visit Mapro Garden.
While you taste delicious chocolates at the chocolate factory, you can get busy in relishing juicy strawberries along a trail. You can also view several kinds of plants at a nursery near the garden. At the retail outlets, you can plan to purchase syrups, jams, and many other products in addition to mouth-watering and pulpy Falero.
Just in case you plan a tour anytime between March and April, then you can enjoy the Strawberry Festival and a folk dance that the localities usually organize. Feel free to contact our tour executive just in case you’re planning to go to Mahabaleshwar in the forthcoming months.