Hill Station of Mahabaleshwar, Maharastra Mahabaleshwar is one of the most spectacular and the largest of Maharashtra hill-stations. Books (affiliate) Pratapgad campaign : http://amzn.to/2nASYlm Tourism in India : http://amzn.to/2n6cB8z Lonely Planet Discover India (Travel Guide): http://amzn.to/2nBbavb Forts of Maharashtra : http://amzn.to/2npgDWL Maharashtratil Kille : http://amzn.to/2mFTNKu My Gear (affiliate) Main Camera : http://amzn.to/2n6Gl1Z Accessories Kit: http://amzn.to/2mZ9uj7 Tripod Kit : http://amzn.to/2mBZlYD DSLR : http://amzn.to/2n76qxZ 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. Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna River that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana 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 Koyna 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 Koyna, Venna (Veni), Savitri, and Gayatri. Climate of the area is suitable for cultivation of strawberries, Mahabaleshwar strawberry contributes to about 85 percent of the total strawberry production in the country. Mahabaleshwar along with Panchgani makes the most popular hill resorts in the Maharashtra state of India. Far way from the madding crowds the hill resort makes an excellent holiday destination. The natural beauty of Mahabaleshwar attracts nature lovers, film directors, holidaymakers, peace seekers and adventurers alike. The heat and the dust of the plains give way to the cool breezes and the gorgeous greens of Mahabaleshwar. The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar derives its name from the God "Mahabali". There is a temple dedicated to Lord Mahabali namely the old Mahabaleshwar Temple. Old Mahabaleshwar Panchaganga temple in Old Mahabaleshwar, 1850s In old Mahabaleshwar, 7 km from Mahabaleshwar. The 4500-year old Panchaganga temple is built at the origin of 7 rivers - Krishna, Koyana, Gayatri, Savitri, Venna, Saraswati and Bhagirathi. Out of them, springs of the first 5 flow continuously whereas the spring corresponding to Saraswati comes alive after every 60 years and the one corresponding to Bhagirathi comes alive every 12 years. Krishnabai temple, Krishna Bhai Temple Krishna river flowing from a cow-face (gomukh) in a kunda Behind Panchganga temple, there is a small trail that leads to Krishnabai temple where the Krishna river is worshiped. It is built on the hilltop overlooking the Krishna valley and was built in 1888 by a ruler of Ratnagiri on the Konkancoast. The temple has a Shiva lingam and a beautiful statue of Krishna. 3 Monkey Point Named because of the natural sculpture of the stones which looks like three monkeys sitting beside each other and portraying 3 monkeys of Gandhiji. A view from Arthur seat point Officer Sir Arthur Malet (1806–1888), who sat here and gazed at the Savitri River, where he lost his wife and children in a tragic ferry mishap. Today, Mahabaleshwar is a popular holiday resort and honeymoon spot, and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. The Venna lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides. In Mahabaleshwar one can get hotels for all budgets from budget hotels to 3 Stars hotels. You can get hotel from where one can enjoy the Lake's View or in midst of the Mahabaleshwar's famous market. Kate's Point[edit] Balakwadi dam viewed from Kate's Point Kate's point is located to the east of Mahabaleshwar and is famous for its view of two reservoirs, Balakwadi and Dhom. The point is around 1280 mts high. Needle Hole Point / Elephant 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. Wilson Point Named after Sir Leslie Wilson, the Governor of Bombay from 1923 to 1926, Wilson Point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar at 1439 m. Known as Sindola Hill during the colonial rule, Wilson point is the only location in Mahabaleshwar where both sunrise and sunset can be seen. It offers a spectacular glance of Mahabaleshwar in all directions. It located at behind Mahabaleshwar-Medha road at 1.5 km from Mahabaleshwar city. Pratapgad is a fort near Mahabaleshwar. The fort was built by Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is popular for in History of India as Commander of Bijapur Afzalkhan was defeated and killed by Shivaji Maharaj at Pratapgad.

• published: 14 Mar 2017
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