The favourite getaway from Mumbai, the picturesque hill station offers the much-needed respite from the heat and humidity of city life. A trip to Mahabaleshwar during monsoons is going to make you fall in love with this place as rains adds a dash of charm, making the picturesque hill station all the more alluring and gorgeous. Come, be the explorer!
Book your flight now!Places to Visit in Mahabaleshwar
There is a lot to explore and experience when you are here, so it’s recommended to plan your Mahabaleshwar tour well in advance.
Sunset Point/Mumbai Point
Adults and children come here to ride about on horses, but this place is worth a visit even if it’s not the time for the routine adventure: the sun plays to the gallery every evening. Pratapgad and Makarandgad forts are etched clearly at the horizon.
Sip your favourite tea and enjoy piping-hot Maggi during rains when you visit this point for some amazing views of the rain-soaked mountains.
Sightseeing Points
Mahabaleshwar has almost 30 designated sightseeing spots from Hunter Point, with its clear view of Pratapgad Fort, to Mahabaleshwar’s highest, Wilson Point, which offers a spectacular view of the twin peaks of Makarandgad. You can also opt for a 2-day trek from Mahabaleshwar to Pratapgad (24 km) for that dash of adventure!
Quaint names like Kate’s Point and Marjorie Point abound, and lest one forget that Mahabaleshwar was once the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency, there are even spots named after the Presidency’s governor, Lord Elphinstone, and a memorial to General Lodwick, town mayor of Bombay Presidency. Just a little further from Lodwick Point is the Elephant’s Head. Each of these points is a perfect setting for small picnics.
Boating at Venna Lake
A trip to Mahabaleshwar is said to be incomplete if you have not experienced boating at Venna Lake. Take a leisure stroll around the lake or enjoy serene boat rides while you click away with those cameras.
Yummy, juicy Strawberries!
If it’s Mahabaleshwar, it must be strawberries — jams, crushes, jellies, you name it. Archies’ Strawberry Farm is a great place to glug down milkshakes and learn about strawberry cultivation. In full bloom, the place is a riot of red.
Don’t forget to pack some as souvenirs for your loved ones!
Spiritual Experience
The scenic hill station has two beautiful temples– Mahabaleshwar Temple and Panchganga Mandir. Little girls form a circle around you as they implore you to buy their flower baskets. The ancient Shivalinga inside the temple is a natural formation and over 500 years old.
Panchganga Mandir is situated at the confluence of five rivers — the Krishna, Gayatri, Savitri, Koyna, and Venna. The water from these rivers pours from the spout of a sculpted cow suckling its young one, and collects in a cistern below. Look out for Morarji Castle, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed in 1945.
A day at Arthur’s Seat
How about visiting this famous scenic point, named after British actor Arthur Malet, on a rainy day? Well, if the idea sounds interesting, then we suggest packing your bags and heading here. You will be rewarded with unmatched views of Mahabaleshwar!
Where to Stay and Eat
Among the popular hotels are: Strawberry Country, Pratap Heritage, Hotel Lake View, and Valley View Resort, among others. Most of the hotel restaurants are open to non-guests, and almost all serve Gujarati food besides an assortment of other cuisine.
Try the Imperial Stores for their pizzas and burgers. Aman Restaurant is good for kebabs and tandoori. Grapevine is famous for Parsi cuisine and Thai food as well. Ice-cream fanatics, enjoy — Mahabaleshwar is your kind of place.
Getting there: Nearest railhead and airport is Pune (4 hours); a taxi would cost around INR 3,000.
When to go: Mahabaleshwar is a year round destination, however, it is one of the famous monsoon holidays in the Western Ghats and you should plan your visit here during the months of July to September when the hills are at their greenest.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to this enchanting destination for some monsoon fun! Happy holiday!
Photo credits: Flickr users N.J., ranavikas,
