Mahabaleshwar Travel Guide

Escape to the Hills: A Travel Guide to Mahabaleshwar, the Summer Capital of Maharashtra

Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, located about 120 kilometers south of Pune. The town is known for its picturesque location, with beautiful hills, valleys, and waterfalls, and its pleasant climate, which makes it a popular destination all year round. Mahabaleshwar was once the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency, and it is still a popular retreat for residents of Mumbai and Pune who are seeking relief from the heat and humidity of the lowlands.

There are a number of tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar, including the Venna Lake, a popular spot for boating and picnics; the Pratapgad Fort, a historic fort built in the 17th century; and the Lingmala Waterfall, a scenic waterfall that is a popular spot for photography. The town is also home to a number of temples, including the Mahabaleshwar Temple, a popular Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva.

In addition to these attractions, Mahabaleshwar is also known for its strawberries, and there are a number of strawberry farms in the region where travelers can learn about the process of strawberry cultivation and sample some of the local produce. The town is also known for its food, with a number of restaurants and cafes serving local specialties such as pav bhaji, a spicy vegetable dish served with bread, and misal pav, a spicy lentil-based dish served with bread.

Mahabaleshwar can be easily reached by road or by train, with regular buses and trains running from major cities in Maharashtra. There are also a number of hotels and resorts in the town, ranging from budget to luxury, making it an easy and convenient destination for travelers.

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Best Places To Visit In Mahabaleshwar

From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Mahabaleshwar.

Mahabaleshwar Temple

Mahabaleshwar temple is an ancient shrine and an ideal example of the Maratha heritage. The Mahabaleshwar temple near Satara is one of the ancient temples of Maharashtra. It was built by Chanda Rao More dynasty in the 16th century. The magnificent temple is guarded by a five feet wall and has two sections- the inner area and the outer area. The inner part, known as the sanctum sanctorum, has Shiva as the presiding deity. There are many belongings of Lord Shiva in the premises of this temple, like his bed, damru, Trishul, carvings of his sacred bull and Kalbhairav (his bodyguard), that aptly defines his presence here.

Lodwick Point

Lodwick Point which lies 5 km to the west of Mahabaleshwar is a beauty to the eyes. This vantage point provides an unmatched view of Pratapgarh Fort and Elphinstone Point. There is a huge statue of Lord Lodwick situated on the site. People flock in from different parts of the country to witness the amazing statue and to experience the view of the place.

Lingmala Waterfll

Lingmala Falls is a breathtaking and absolutely awe-inspiring waterfall located on the Mahabaleshwar-Pune road. Situated right next to the forest bungalows of Lingmala, this waterfall provides a view of the beautiful Dhobi Falls as well as the Chinaman Falls. Known for its serene surroundings and gorgeous panoramas, this waterfall rises about 600 feet above a cliff and is surrounded by lush greenery. Situated next to the Lingmala Van Bungalow, the waterfall is a great spot for a day break from all the hustle and bustle of your daily city life.

Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgarh Fort is a hill fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is at a distance of 24 km from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar. The fort has a strong view of the coastal Konkan. At the end of the motorable road, there is a watchtower right next to the mahadarwaja, or main entrance. There is a statue of Shivaji Maharaj in his full glory, which was installed about 60 years ago. There is a Bhavani temple at the top of the fort, and a cultural library showcasing the heritage of the fort. There is a handicraft center on the way from Bes village to Pratapgarh, which attracts a lot of tourists.

Venna Lake

Venna Lake is a beautiful man-made lake in Mahabaleshwar. The lake offers rowboat and paddleboat rides for the visitors and is therefore usually very crowded. There are horse rides and rides for kids like Mira Go Round and Toy Train. Venna Lake was constructed by Shri Appasaheb Maharaj, the ruler of Satara and a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in 1942. The lake is spread over an area of â€‹â€‹28 acres with a circumference of 7 to 8 km. It was initially built with the aim of meeting the water needs of Mahabaleshwar city.

Wilson Point

Wilson Point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar, situated at an altitude of 1439m. Also famous as the Sunrise Point, it is a famous tourist attraction for viewing stunning sunrise. Wilson Point is a vast plateau comprising of three watchtowers at different spots which offers stunning panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar. Originally known as Sindola Hill, Wilson Point is named after Sir Leslie Wilson, the Governor of Bombay province from 1923 to 1926.

Arthur Seat

Arthur's Seat is one of the most popular viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar, located around 13km away. it is popular as the Queen of all points as it offers the most mesmerizing and fascinating view of the dense valleys of Brahma-Arayana and the Savitri river. For a beautiful view of Jor Valley, this is the ideal viewing point. It is said that Sir Arthur Mallet, who is said to be the first man to build a house here, used to sit and admire River Savitri from this point. Also known as the Queen of the Points, and originally as Madhi Mahal, Arthurâ€™s Seat lies at an elevation of 1,470 m. The most appealing and entertaining feature of this place is the air pressure that causes light objects, like bottle caps, to float! The southern side of Arthurâ€™s Seat has stratified rocks that are similar in appearance to the Grand Canyon in Colorado, USA.

Elphinstone Point

Elephant's Head Point, also known as Needle Point, is located at the extreme end of the mountain range beyond Lodwick Point. Resembling an elephant's head, this elongated ridge is the most popular tourist destination in Mahabaleshwar that offers stunning views of the Sahyadri mountain range. It is famous for the spectacular view of Pratapgarh Fort, Koyna Valley and surrounding areas. It is also the source of the Savitri River. Situated amidst the zenith of nature, this place becomes completely covered with greenery during monsoons, which attracts nature lovers to visit and appreciate the serene nature that offers boundless charm.