Mahabaleshwar (महाबळेश्वर)
"Land of Strawberries"
—  hill station  —
View of Mahabaleshwar Hills
Mahabaleshwar (महाबळेश्वर) Location of Mahabaleshwar (महाबळेश्वर) in Maharashtra and India
Coordinates	17°55′18″N 73°39′20″E / 17.92172°N 73.6556°E / 17.92172; 73.6556Coordinates: 17°55′18″N 73°39′20″E / 17.92172°N 73.6556°E / 17.92172; 73.6556
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District(s)	Satara
Mayor
Population • Density	12,780 (2001[update]) • 85 /km2 (220 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	150 square kilometres (58 sq mi) • 1,438 metres (4,718 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 412 806 • Telephone • +00 91 • Vehicle • MH-11 XX XXXX
Website	http://www.puneritraveller.com/mahabaleshwar.html

Mahabaleshwar (Marathi: महाबळेश्वर) ( pronunciation (help·info)) is a city and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station located in the Western Ghats range. With one of the few evergreen forests of the world, it served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.)

Geography and climate[link]

Mahabaleshwar is located at 17°55′N 73°40′E / 17.92°N 73.67°E / 17.92; 73.67.^[1] It has an average elevation of 1,353 metres (4,439 ft).

Located about 120 km (75 mi) southwest of Pune and 285 km (177 mi) from Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau measuring 150 km² (58 sq mi), bound by valleys on all sides. It reaches a height of 1,438 m (4,718 ft) at its highest peak above sea level, known as Wilson/Sunrise Point.

Mahabaleshwar comprises three villages: Malcolm Peth, Old "Kshetra" Mahabaleshwar and part of the Shindola village.

Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna River that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The legendary source of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of Mahadev in Old Mahabaleshwar. Legend has it that Krishna is Lord Vishnu himself as a result of a curse on the trimurtis by Savitri. Also, its tributaries Venna and Koyana are said to be Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma themselves. An interesting thing to notice is that 4 other rivers come out from the cow's mouth apart from Krishna and they all travel some distance before merging into Krishna. These rivers are the Koyana, Venna (Veni), Savitri, and Gayatri.

Panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar

Tourism[link]

Today, Mahabaleshwar^[2] is a popular holiday resort and honeymoon spot, and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is the site of Mahabaleshwar Temple. Many tourists visit nearby Panchgani. After the construction of a new highway, it is only a five-hour drive from Mumbai. Mahabaleshwar is also known for the honey and strawberries produced here. One can visit strawberry farms to enjoy the real flavour of the fruit. It is said that the climate of Mahabaleshwar is ideal for Strawberries and Mulberries. One can also get a taste of "Strawberries with Cream" (season:Jan -Feb) or "Mulberries with Cream" (season: April–May).

Boats on the Venna lake in Mahabaleshwar.

The Venna lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides. A late winter evening boat ride through the slight fog is well appreciated. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride over the lake or a horse ride next to the lake. A number of small eateries line the banks of the lake. The Mahabaleshwar city market and the S.T. bus stand is about 2KM from the lake and makes for a nice walk during the day. Most tour operators include the Venna lake in their tours. Most buses, private vehicles will stop at the Venna lake on their way to Mahabaleshwar on request.

The Venna lake

With another popular and scenic hill resort Panchgani in close vicinity (about 20KM), most tourists often visit both places together. The 'Table-Land' phenomenon of nature at Panchgani is breath-taking.

History[link]

On the outskirts of Mahabaleshwar, towards Panchgani.

The first historical mention of Mahabaleshwar dates back to year 1215 when the King Singhan of Deogiri visited Old Mahabaleshwar. He built a small temple and water tank at the source of the river Krishna. Around 1350, a Brahmin dynasty invaded this area. In the middle of the 16th century the Maratha family of Chandarao More defeated the Brahmin dynasty and became rulers of Javli and Mahabaleshwar, during which period the temple of Old Mahabaleshwar was rebuilt.

In the 17th century Shivaji Maharaj took over Javli and Mahabaleshwar and constructed the Pratapgad fort in 1656.

In 1819, the British included the hills in the territory of the Raja of Satara. Col. Lodwick (Late General Sir ) stationed at Satara, in April 1824 with a contingent of soldiers and Indian guides climbed up the mountain face reaching what is now known as the Lodwick Point.

Starting with Sir John Malcolm in 1828, a succession of them from Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone, Arthur Malet (for whom the seat at "Point Arthur" is named), Carnac, Frere and many others became regular visitors.

Present day Mahabaleshwar came into existence in the year 1829-30. In old records it is mentioned as Malcolm Peth, but in practise today it is known as Mahabaleshwar.

Added to the scores of magnificent scenic "points", the perennial springs, streams, and waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar plateau, with its year round superb climate, drew the English and others to Mahabaleshwar like honey bees to sweet nectar. By the end of the 19th century it had become an attractive popular hill station of world renown.

Raj Bhavan, the Summer residence of the Governor of Maharashtra, is also located here.

"Babington House", a magnificent colonial-style bungalow built in the shape of a cross with a deep varanda, elaborate metal work railing and extensive outhouses is considered Mahableshwar's most beautiful country house.
It was formerly one of the principal country seats of the Dubash family, a Parsi ship chandler dynasty from Bombay who sold it to the Rahejas in the early 1970s. It contains a central dining room with a 24-seater table and a lovely library pavilion with 1st edition books collected by the Dubash family, notably Jamsetjee "Jimmy" Kavasjee Dubash, a great bibliophil and art collector.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[3] Mahabaleshwar had a population of 12,736. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Mahabaleshwar has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 65%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 71%. In Mahabaleshwar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Location of Mahabaleshwar[link]

• Mumbai - 270 km via Pune and 225 km via Panvel-Pen-Mahad-Poladpur (approx 6 hours)
• Wai - 32 km (1 hours)
• Pune - 120 km (3 hours)
• Sangli - 176 km (3.5 hours)
• Satara - 55 km (1.5 hours)
• Bangalore - 787 km (12 hours)

You can reach Mahabaleshwar by taking MSRTC or Private Luxury Buses from Mumbai, Pune, Sangli and Satara. National Highway NH4 is the nearest National Highway to reach Mahabaleshwar.

You can also hire a Car to Mahabaleshwar.

Nearest Railway Stations[link]

• Satara - 58 km
• Veer (Konkan Railway) - 70 km
• Pune - 120 km
• Miraj railway junction - 169 km
• Sangli - 165 km

You can reach Mahabaleshwar by motorbike in 2 1/2 to 3 hours from pune . You can reach Mahabaleshwar by taking cabs or private cars from the above railway stations.

Nearest Airport[link]

• Pune - 126 km
• Mumbai - 226 km

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mahabaleshwar

• Durwankur Cottage - Mahabaleshwar's Most Economical stay option
• Brightland Resort & Spa - Mahabaleshwar's Finest Resort
• Mahabaleshwar
• Mahabaleshwar travel guide from Wikitravel
• Mahabaleshwar page of Maharashtra Tourism website
• Mahabaleshwar: For a serene weekend
• Real Experience of Mahabaleshwar with Citrus Hotels