A travel Guide to Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar Tourism

Located amid the Western Ghats, the beautiful hill station Mahabaleshwar, India is the homeland of the holy river Krishna. This land of strawberries from the Satara district of Maharashtra is a place of natural delights, majestic mountain peaks, bygone temples, cascading waterfalls, and gleaming rivers. The empress of Maharashtrian hill stations, Mahabaleshwar tours one through the Elephant’s head point, Panch Ganga, and Krishna Bai, Mapro’s gardens, Pratapgad fort, and the waterfalls of Lingamala.

Be it a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a friends’ timeout, Mahabaleshwar tourism has all of it. This place is the most sought-after destination to dodge off the city’s hassle, as it is dotted with many tourist attractions. Multiple valleys, hills, green forests, and strawberry farms deserve mention among the Mahabaleshwar tourist attractions. Extending about 150km, this slope station is a synonym for nature’s captivating beauty.

Owing to the huge number of tourists every year, there are multiple hotels in Mahabaleshwar. You can find hotels with varying prices.

Places to visit in Mahabaleshwar

1. Mahabaleshwar Temple

The 6-feet long Swayambhu or the self-originating Shiv Ling makes the Mahabaleshwar temple an epitome of divine miracles. Set up on hilly terrains and surrounded by picturesque beauty, this shrine glorifies the Maratha empire and is flocked by numerous devotees each day. The inner sanctum sanctorum preserves Lord Shiva’s trishul, bed, damru, the carvings of Nandi and his protector Kalbhairav. The tranquil vibe from this temple makes this place a must-have in the Mahabaleshwar travel guide.

2. Elephant’s Head Point

Elephant’s head point is renowned for the stunning view of Sahyadri ranges and is one of the most picturesque Mahabaleshwar attractions. Also known as the Needle’s point, this place finds numerous visitors during sunrise and sunset. The place produces amazing panoramic views of the Pratapgad fort, with Savitri valley on one side and Kova valley on the other. The natural beauty of the place is greatly enhanced in the monsoon.

3. Pratapgad Fort

The Pratapgad fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is another solitaire of the Maratha empire. Mahabaleshwar tourism is incomplete without stopping by at this perfect union of nature and adventure. The still pristine, the four gushing lakes, the Shivaji Maharaj’s statue, the Bhavani shrine, and the watchtower beside the Maha Darwaja all within the fort enhance are must-watch. Standing at 1080m above sea-level, the Pratapgad fort is a real depiction of Maratha’s marvel and nature’s charm.

4. Venna Lake

This man-made scenic beauty spread over 28 acres of land is one of the most popular Mahabaleshwar attractions. Enveloped by dense trees, this lake offers horse riding, paddle boating and motor boating. There are merry-go-rounds for kids. Delicious eateries offer local food. With two pilgrimage spots submerged in the lake waters and the Chhatrapati Pratap Singh garden on the river banks, this picturesque lake is among the most beautiful Mahabaleshwar tourist places.

5. Tapola

Tapola is a classic part of Mahabaleshwar tourism. It is often called Mini Kashmir and satellite village. It is known for its breathtaking nature and scenic surroundings. Triveni Sangam and Banmoli island are major attractions here. You can indulge in adventurous activities like trekking, paragliding and kayaking. There are many watersports, as well. Monsoon in Tapola is a sight to behold with lush greenery and blooming flowers.

6. Dhobi Waterfalls

The Dhobi waterfalls exhilarate a trip to Mahabaleshwar with picturesque ambience and surreal nature. These secluded waterfalls cascading into the Koyna river waters offer ultimate solace. The valleys and lush green surroundings add much beauty to the place. The natural charm places Dhobi waterfalls among the marvellous Mahabaleshwar attractions.

Things to do in Mahabaleshwar

There is a wide range of fun activities for tourists. Here are some enthralling things to do in Mahabaleshwar:

A Shikara Ride on the Venna Lake

Dotted with colourful boats and enclosed by lush greenery on all sides, a Shikara ride on the Venna lake is a part of most tourists’ to-do list in Mahabaleshwar. The lake offers both private and group boats. The boating timing is from 7 am to 7 pm. The lake is closed for visitors during monsoons.

Trekking and Hiking in the Tapola Jungles

Tapola is a rustic hamlet adorned by the Shivsagar lake, 28 km from Mahabaleshwar. Synonymous to pastoral beauty, this place is an excellent spot for jungle trekking and hiking. Many camping agencies are there, with varying prices. One can select based on the budget. Camping in Tapola includes bonfires and barbecues. You can participate in many indoors and outdoors games here.

Embark on a Spiritual Journey

Mahabaleshwar is home to spectacular temples apart from marvellous landscapes. The shrines of Mahabaleshwar, Krishna Bai, and Panch Ganga are the masterpieces of Indian architecture. Not only do they offer unsurpassed solace, but they also tease your eyes with natural charm. Tourists usually start off from the Mahabaleshwar temple and proceed further, for it is the biggest and the most beautiful of all.

Explore the Panchgani

Panchgani or Paanchgani is a fabulous location near Mahabaleshwar awaiting the tourists. This place comprises various viewpoints, adventures like trekking and paragliding, and spectacular greenery. The Tableland or a mammoth laterite rock is the key highlight of Panchgani. Another spotlight near Panchgani is the Land Cave Restaurant. Located amid the caves, this restaurant serves lip-smacking foods.

Visit the Wax Museum

Another intriguing activity in Mahabaleshwar is checking out the wax museum. With over 30 renowned personalities’ life-sized wax statues, the museum amuses every visitor. The candles made by visually impaired kids grab the attention of most visitors. You can buy souvenirs from this museum.

Relish the Strawberries from the Farms

This land is home to numerous incredibly beautiful strawberry farms and gardens. Mapro Garden is one famous location for berry-based succulent foods, while various other farms allow the visitors to grab yummy strawberries. The trip to Mahabaleshwar isn’t sewed up without exploring the strawberry farms.

Best time to visit Mahabaleshwar

Pleasurable all through the year, any season is the ideal to visit Mahabaleshwar. However, the temperature drops in winter giggle people with beauty. It makes December to February the best time to visit Mahabaleshwar.

Summers are an excellent retreat with stunning hill stations and cascading waterfalls. This time with pleasant temperatures is the best season to visit Mahabaleshwar. Monsoons here treat the visitors with refreshing greenery, but the moderate to heavy rains lead to uncomfortable travelling. Those enjoying rains and lush greens can book tickets to this place between June and September.

How to Reach Mahabaleshwar

You can reach this hill station via roadways, railways and airways as well. Here is how to reach Mahabaleshwar.

By Airways – Mahabaleshwar doesn’t have an airport of its own. Pune International Airport, 120km away from this quintessential hill station is the fastest way to reach there. One can take flights to Pune or Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport) to reach Mahabaleshwar. Both these airports are well connected with all the prime Indian cities, running regular flights to and from, easing the journeys.

By Roadways – This place has an excellent network of roadways. You can either self-drive or use the bus facilities to this place. Several private bus facilities regularly operate buses to this place from most Indian cities. The public transportation facilities enable hassle-free travel all over the place.

By Railways – The closest railway station to Mahabaleshwar is the Satara station, 45km away from this place. Another nearby station is Wathar Railway station, 60km away from Mahabaleshwar. Both these stations are well connected with the prime cities of India.