Berry fine Mahabaleshwar
Gagandeep Kaur

If you have had enough of hill stations where the mall looks like the shopping mall in your city, then Mahabaleshwar is just the place for you. Small town in the western Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar was the summer capital of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency.

While at Mahabaleshwar, you can look forward to long walks in the lap of the mountains. At the centre of the town is Lake Vena. Mahabaleshwar is also known for its waterfalls, the popular ones being Lingmala and Dhobi.

The hill-station has nearly 30 ‘points’, many named after former British residents and most of them are situated in a 10-km radius from the main bazaar. Wilson Point is the highest and most popular of them all. The vast, bare rock has three observation towers erected at different spots. It offers a beautiful view of the sunrise.

Arthur’s Point, which has formed the backdrop for many a film sequence, is named after Arthur Malet and overlooks a densely forested valley. Kate’s Point and Needle Point offer spectacular views of the Krishna and Koyna valleys.

There are many ancient temples in the region. The most famous of them all is the Mahabaleshwar temple, whose presiding deity Mahabali gives the town its name. The temple has one of the 12 jyotirlingas.

Again, if you are a shopaholic, Mahabaleshwar is clearly not for you. The main shopping area is nothing but a few shops in a row. However, don’t miss the local chikki, available in traditional gur or til or bizarre flavours like chocolate or strawberry. One can also pick up crushes and syrups in strawberry, raspberry and mulberry flavours. It is not for nothing that Mahabaleshwar is known as the berry destination of the country. Companies like Mapro and Mala’s have created a niche for themselves in the western part of the country with innovative products like jelly sweet and melties. One can pick up the years stock from their factory outlets.

While at Mahabaleshwar, one must visit Panchgani just 15 minutes drive away. In fact, Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are often referred to in the same breath. The town is surrounded by five hills that give it its name (panch meaning five and gani settlement). John Chesson founded this hill-station in 1854, and developed it with grant from the Governor of Bombay. Several colonial and Parsi bungalows dot the townscape. One can hire one of these Parsi bungalows for stay. They are easily available and they offer good discount during off-season.

The Tableland at Panchgani is a vast plateau, 4.5-km-long, which protects the hill resort from strong winds and heavy rains. It is virtually a funfair at Tableland with its games stalls, buggy rides, Ferris wheel, snack shops and other rides. For a tour of this flat land, hop on to a buggy that costs about Rs 130 per ride, or attempt a horse ride for Rs 80.

Another tourist destination is the newly developed Sherbaug, a botanical delight with its greenhouse and a large cacti collection. There is also a restaurant and a processed food outlet in the vicinity.

A variety of cuisine is available in the region. Make sure to sample the delectable Gujarati and Marathi thali, available at local joints. An important tip for anyone planning to visit Mahabaleshwar: carry enough cash in your pocket. There are no ATMs and very few nationalised banks.

Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are best approached from Pune. The climate is cool all through the year but it can get chilly during the rains in July and August. The best time to visit is from January to May and from September to December. 

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