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Mahabaleshwar,
Maharashtra
Tucked
away in the Satara district of Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is the
highest point in the Western Ghats, situated at an altitude of 1372
meters. It is the most visited resort in Maharashtra. Several tourist
agencies, as well as the government tourist department, offer package
tours to this place. Mahabaleshwar is a fairly big town with several
good hotels and lodges for tourists. Maharashtra Tourism has accommodation
that caters to the needs of all categories of tourists. MTDC has
a holiday resort that is both comfortable and economical. Taxis
and rickshaws are easily available in the town.
Best
time to visit: The best time to visit is from
October to June.
Climate:
It
receives annual rainfall of 663 cms.
Summers: Temperatures
varies from 29 degree celsius in summer.
Winters:
Temperatures
varies from 13 degree celsius in winter.
How
to reach there:
From Mahabaleshwar, Mumbai is 290 km away by
road via Pune and 247 km via Mahad. Mahabaleshwar is best approached
from Pune.
Air: Pune
is the nearest airport, 120 km away.
Rail: Pune
is also most convenient railhead, though Wathar at 62 km is the
nearest.
Road: MTDC
organises regular tours from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar. There are
daily bus service from Pune.
What
to see:
Some entertainment:
Enjoy boating or fishing at the placid Venna lake or bathe in the
crystal waters of the numerous waterfalls. A nine-hole golf course
has been built on the edge of a cliff at Mahabaleshwar.
Tourists
can enjoy a network of clearly marked hiking trails through the
woods, leading to waterfalls and assorted vantage points with view
over the peaks and down to the plains.
Venna Lake: The
2.4 km Venna Lake has both boating and fishing facilities. Focal
point for holiday-makers, with attractions such as wayside stalls,
horse riding and delicious strawberries!
Lingmala Falls & Chinaman's Waterfall:
About 6 km and 4 km from the town, they are at their best during
the monsoon when the water level rises and they cascade down.
Wilson Point: Mahabaleshwar's
highest point is a bare rock with 3 strategically positioned observation
towers. The sunrise attracts visitors.
Kate's Point:
From here, looking down one can see the ribbon like Krishna river
as it winds its way through green fields. A natural in-built echo
system is another reason for its popularity.
What
to shop:
Wander
through tiny lanes of the bazaar, shopping for everything from shoes
to luscious strawberries, blackberries, jams and jellies. The bazaar
here is also fairly popular, with leather goods and tribal trinkets
for sale. There are several small-scale home industries that make
rather good jams and jellies.
Tourists
Info:
- At
Pune, MTDC Tourist Information Counter is just opposite the railway
station's First Class booking office. You can book MTDC long distance
buses and guided city tours, seek advice about other bus rvices.
- MTDC,
Opp. LIC Bldg.,
Madame Cama Road, Mumbai.
Tel:2026713, 2027762,2024627.
Around
the city:
Pratapgad
Fort: Discover
Pratapgad Fort, 24 km away, where Shivaji dramatically bested General
Afzal Khan.
Tapola:
Situated 25 km from Mahabaleshwar, is referred to as `mini Kashmir'.
It is a serene backwater of the river Krishna where boating is the
prime attraction. There is a strenuous climb from the jetty to the
mainland.
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