Image Credits : Karthik Easvur
Image Credits : Nvvchar
Image Credits : Ganesh G
Image Credits : Dhananjay Odhekar
Image Credits : B Balaji
Image Credits : Ankur Panchbudhe
Nestled in the huge Sahyadri Mountain ranges, one of the most romantic getaway in Maharashtra is Mahabaleshwar. Well-liked by the love birds, it is an enchanting and quiet place that has magical beauty. Mahabaleshwar sits at an elevation of 1353 meters in the West Ghats ranges. This wonderful hill station is also known as “The Queen of Hill Stations” in Maharashtra. This famous hill station offers many tourist attractions and activities to avid travelers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers. You can enjoy spending some time in this beautiful place to revive, relax, and refresh your mind and body.
The spectacular views of verdant hills, amazing sunset and sunrise views, the endless supply of strawberries, the wide expanse of forests, and pleasant weather together make Mahabaleshwar an outstanding place to visit in Maharashtra. With remarkable sceneries and salubrious weather, this hill station will ensure that you have a memorable trip. Plan a trip to Mahabaleshwar and get ready to enjoy the attractive valleys, peaceful lakes, and charming views of the hill station to refresh yourself.
Mahabaleshwar’s first mention in history dates back to 1215 when Deogiri’s King Singhan visited the Old Mahabaleshwar. At River Krishna, he built a water tank and a small temple. Later, a Brahmin dynasty is believed to have ruled the area around 1350. Later in the mid of the sixteenth century, Chandarao More’s Maratha family defeated the ruling Brahmin dynasty and soon became the Mahabaleshwar rulers. Under their rule, the Old Mahabaleshwar temple was constructed. Shivaji Maharaj defeated the Maratha family in the 17th century and took over Mahabaleshwar. It was under his rule that the Pratapgad Fort was built in 1656. The British in 1819 included the hills within Raja of Satara territory.
Many British people became regular visitors of this place after 1828 starting from Sir John Malcolm, Arthur Malet, and Camac. In 1829, the current Mahabaleshwar came into existence. It was mentioned as the Malcolm Peth in old records, however, it is presently known as Mahabaleshwar. Many English and other people were attracted to this hill station due to its magnificent places, the pristine waterfalls and streams, and scenic beauty. By the 19th century, Mahabaleshwar became an alluring hill station across the world.
The green gem of Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is blessed with lots of spellbinding beauty. Below is the complete list of best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar:
Shikhara Ride: Take a private shikhara ride on the silken water of the Venna Lake. Surround by verdant trees and hills on all sides, this place will offer you with breathtaking vistas of all the surrounding hills from an exclusive viewpoint.
Jungle Trekking: Tapola, with its pastoral beauty, is a wonderful place for nature walks and jungle trekking. It will let you go close to flora and fauna along with avifauna.
Visit Strawberry Farms: If you are thinking about what you can do in Mahabaleshwar except for engaging yourself in some adventurous activities, you should visit the various strawberry farms here. The mesmerizing land of strawberries offers nearly half of the country’s strawberry supplies.
Bird Watching: If you like watching birds, you can head to the Babington Point. It has outstanding weather, a calm environment, and a sprawling cover of verdant lure n different types of birds. If you are a wildlife lover, you are sure to enjoy this activity.
Rock Climbing: For those looking for some adventurous activities in Mahabaleshwar, rock climbing in another wonderful activity on the list. It is not for the faint-hearted ones.
Horse Riding: Another famous activity in Mahabaleshwar that you can indulge yourself in is horse riding. You can enjoy this activity while also explore the city at the same time.
Shopping: Visiting Mahabaleshwar and not indulging yourself in shopping is like not doing justice to yourself. Indulge shopping in your bucket list while traveling to Mahabaleshwar. You can buy different and unique things like chikki, Kholapuri chappal, and amazing handicrafts here.
Picnicking: Because of the scenic beauty present in and around the hill station, there are many famous spots for picnicking here.
Located 117 km away from Pune, 243 km away from Mumbai and 377 km away from Panaji, this beautiful hill station is well connected by roads to all the nearby places. The nearest airport to Mahabaleshwar is the Pune International Airport located at a distance of 102 km. And the closest railhead to Mahabaleshwar is the Satara Railway Station located at a distance of 60 km from Mahabaleshwar.
A superb package of adventure and thrill, Mahabaleshwar guarantees relaxation, peace, and an amazing holiday to nature lovers, honeymooners, and adventurists! So, plan your trip to Mahabaleshwar and head out for the most astonishing moments of your lifetime!