THE QUEEN OF HILL STATION

Hello everyone !

I recently visited Mahabaleshwar and some near by places in pune and satara in my diwali vacation and i totally enjoyed it. I'm not mountain person but still i felt blessed in those mountain. I highly recommend you all this place to get relief from your daily routine, to enjoy vacation with your love ones as this place is perfect.

Mahabaleshwar is a small town in satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. it is a hill station located in the sahyadri mountain range. currently this town is popular tourist attraction of Indians and it is also famous for weekend retreat of Mumbai. This place produces best strawberrries in India. Mahabaleshwar strawberry contributes to about 85% of the total strawberry production in the country.

Our Mahabaleshwar trip was of 5 days, I went with my family. we stayed in 'The Grand legacy' hotel (pure veg,3 star hotel) which is located in Mahabaleshwar-panchgani road. nice valley views from hotel, cool and peacefull location recommended for family also good food quality with enough of varieties

DAY1

PRATI-BALAJI : Balaji Temple of Ketkawle, is copy of the real Tirumala Venkateswara Temple located 60 km from Pune, Maharashtra. It is on Pune-Bangalore highway. Everything is perfect copy of the idol, Sanctorum, wood work, priests are abode of the Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. Temple is located nice surrounded by Hills. Temple bhavan is very attractive and peaceful. Guy's do visit this temple, you will get most amazing vibes. This temple is such peaceful and beautiful.

DAY2

OLD MAHABALESHWAR : Old Mahabaleshwar is about 7 km from Mahabaleshwar. This holy and sacred place has 3 temples: Panchganga temple, Mahabaleshwar temple and Krishna temple.

• Panchganga Temple-

The Panchganga Temple is constructed at the convergence of five rivers Krishna, Venna, Savitri, Koyna and Gayatri. It is believed that five rivers originate from gaumukhi inside Panchganaga temple.

• Mahabaleshwar Temple-

Mahabaleshwar Temple is built in 1215 AD as per historical records. This temple is built in Hemadpanti style. It is believed that every morning, the bedsheet is found crumpled indicating Shiva's presence at night within the temple.

• Krishnabai temple-

Krishna temple which is 1 km away from Panchganga temple is built in Hemadpanti style, In front of the Krishna temple is Krishna valley. As per mythology, Krishna river had jumped from this place.

• Distance-From Mumbai – 292 km, From Pune – 150 km From Mahabaleshwar – 7 km, From Satara – 60 km & From Wai – 39 km

MARKET: The market runs for over a kilometer on both sides of a narrow lane and was bursting with colours.

•Strawberries: Well, that’s the obvious 1st on the list. If you are going to the farm to pick strawberries, you could buy some from the market. The strawberry season is from October to April and strawberries were pretty cheap. you will get good quality of strwaberry and it's different products like syrups, juices, crushes, icecream,milkshakes, jellys ,etc. and chikkis.

• wooden items: In the market you will see many such craftsmen selling their wares ranging from trays, toys, combs, ladles, etc.

• Leather footwear: There are numerous shops in in the market selling leather footwear.

• Syrups, juice concentrates, fruit crushes: Since the hill station is a berry bowl, many factories such as Mapro, Mala’s and Manama have set shop, producing and selling fruit crushes and concentrates of almost any and all flavours.

• Honey:There are many outlets selling pure honey in different varieties too, having varying health benefits.

• Cane baskets and items: There were quite a few of these shops as well in the market, selling baskets, holders and cases in different shapes and beautiful designs.

all this shopping will leave your bags stuffed and your wallets empty, but what’s a trip without shopping, isn’t it?

PRATAPGAD: Pratapgad is a large fort located in Satara district, 23 kilometres (14 mi) west of Mahabaleshwar. the fort is now a popular tourist destination. Pratapgad is usually visited as a day-trip. ST bus service have run daily excursion services to places around Mahabaleshwar including Pratapgad for decades.

DAY3

• Needle Hole Point / Elephant Point: Needle hole rock, viewed from the point. Needle hole point is located near Kate's Point. One can see a natural rock formation with a hole in between, thus giving the name Needle-hole. The point is also famous for the view of Deccan traps, which look like an elephant's trunk. Elephant's Point is famous for the beauty and peace that one gets by being there. The greenery around is worth appreciating.

• Helen's point: Helen's point is referred to as the Blue valley and is noted for its scenic beauty dotted by small huts, deep valleys and cascading waterfalls.

• Echo Point : Echo Point returns back one's voice when shouted loudly into the valley.

TABLE LAND: Table Land, at 4,550 ft above sea level, is the highest point in Panchgani. This platue is Asia’s second longest mountain plateau. It is a vast expanse (around 6 km) of flat laterite rock surrounded by hills. This place offers an aerial view of the entire Panchgani and the valleys located nearby. view from the top is amazing. Apart from exploring the vast plateau on foot, tourists can go horse riding too. There is also enough entertainment and light snacks available at the location.

DAY4

KAAS PATHAR/ PLATEAU: Kaas Pathar is a plateau situated 25 kilometres west from Satara city. It is a biodiversity hotspot,Kaas Plateau has more than 150 or more types of flowers, shrubs and grasses. Kaas lake is on the south of the Kaas Plateau and is surrounded by dense forest. Kas Pathar attracts many tourists, scientists and nature lovers.

•DISTANCE-From Satara - 25 km,From Pune - 125 km,From Mumbai - 280 km

•BEST TIME TO VISIT- Kas Pathar is from August to October. Many people visit Kaas during the rains; however, the plants bloom only in late August to September.

•TIMINGS- 9 AM to 6 PM

•ENTRY FEES- Rs. 50 per Person on Weekdays, Rs. 100 per Person on Weekends & on Public Holidays.

DAY5

JEJURI: Jejuri is a city and a municipal council in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is famous for the main temple of Lord Khandoba.

How to reach Mahabaleshwar ?

• By Road

Mahabaleshwar is located around 260 km from Mumbai, the state capital. The nearest major city is Satara, around 45 km away, and is 120 km from Pune. Mahabaleshwar is connected by the National Highway 4. Bus services by state-run MSRTC and private organizations connect it by buses from Pune, Mumbai, Sangli and Satara.

• By Rail

Nearest railroad is Satara, around 60 km. Nearest major railway junctions include Pune (120 km), Miraj (170 km) . Private cars and cabs, as well as state-run bus services are available in these locations to Mahabaleshwar.

• By Air

The nearest airport is Pune International Airport, serving the city of Pune, about 120 km from Mahabaleshwar. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport of Mumbai is 270 km.

FEW TIPS

■ Normaly a trip to this place can be successful if you stay more than 3 days, hence you can make it your next long weekend visit idea.

■ Carrying sufficient warm clothes like sweaters,socks and hand gloves is must in winter.

THANK YOU , LOTS OF LOVE!

~Ketaki Vikas Koltharkar