Mahabaleshwar Travel Guide

Mahabaleshwar

Each part of India is occupied with natural beauty, and when it comes to spending the holiday at any hill station, no one can miss "Mahabaleshwar."  The place offers lush greenery, gardens, and majestic natural views to travelers seeking a distinctive experience on their journey. More than 25 lakh international and Indian tourists visit Mahabaleshwar annually. An interesting point that attracts people to Mahabaleshwar is that you can have the opportunity to enjoy the strawberry picking season. Besides this, there are plenty of things that are the reason behind it becoming one of the most loved hill stations in India. Let's learn about the intricate details of Mahabaleshwar so that it can elevate the overall journey to Mahabaleshwar. 

About City Mahabaleshwar

The breathtaking land of Mahabaleshwar is located about 64 Km Southeast of Mumbai and northeast of the town of Satara at 4700 ft. above sea level, in the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats. This town, in the Satara district of Maharashtra, is among the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.  The number of citizens residing in Mahabaleshwar is around 12,730; most of the people practice Hinduism, and some of them follow Christianity and Islam. Marathi is their local language, but you can see languages like Hindi, English, and Urdu are also used to communicate.

The best time to visit Mahabaleshwar   

Mahabaleshwar has significant spiritual importance, and most devotees come here every year to seek blessings from their lord, Shiva. Moreover, this place is lively and full of astonishing views and mountain ranges. The best time to visit any place depends on what is the favorite season of a traveler to travel. Most of the tourists come to Mahabaleshwar from December to February. 

Places to visit in Mahabaleshwar

The town is known for its fresh strawberries, raspberries, and corn. But wait, Mahabaleshwar has other features that make it suitable for travelers to explore hassle-free. If you happen to book your time to spend in Mahabaleshwar, then missing out on the details listed below will be a disaster; hence, follow this:

• Mahabaleshwar Temple: The temple is dedicated to the supreme god "Shiva", the temple is approximately 800 years old; however, this has a special importance in the hearts of devotees as this is the only temple in the world where you can witness the shivling in the form of a rudraksha.
• Elephant's Head Point: The point is named Elephant's Head Point because the point where it is placed on the hill is in the shape of a head and trunk that resembles an elephant. People call Elephant's Head Point Needle's Point. The path to the Elephant's Head Point is comfortable and easy for the age of the traveler, so without any worry, you can reach the top of the Elephant's Head Point and capture the beauty of Mother Nature.
• Krishna Bai Temple: The temple is believed to have been built by a ruler of Ratnagiri in 1888. The temple is located on the hilltop in the Western Ghats. The temple is just 300 m from the Mahabaleshwar Temple, making it convenient for people to cover the nearby temple. The temple has a beautiful shelving and a statue of Krishna. The view from the temple is stunning; you can trek or walk to reach the Krishna Temple.
• Shri Panchganga Mandir: The temple is situated at Satara Roda, Mahabaleshwar is approximately 4,500 years old, constructed in the 13th Century. The temple is called Shri Panchganga Mandir because it is located at the convergence of five rivers named Venna, Savitri, Koyna, Krishna, and Gayatri, respectively. 
• Sunset Point: People from all over the world arrive at Sunset Point to see the mesmerizing view of the sun setting. People come with cameras and phones and click pictures to hold a memory. This is also a great place to spend quality time with your loved ones, and it is also known as a picnic spot.
• Laxmi Strawberry Farm: The cool climate of Mahabaleshwar factors in the production of Strawberries, and one of the places that gives its contribution to Strawberry production is Laxmi Strawberry Farm. If you get there at the time of Strawberry season, then you might get the chance to see ripped strawberries.
• Venna Lake: The lake is spread across 8 Km, and travelers can enjoy boat rides on the lake. It is said that the lake was the result of the vision of Shri Appasaheb Maharaj, who was the Raja of Satara, in 1842. People can also take advantage of horse riding around the Lake of Vienna. Around this lake, several food chains serve exquisite-tasting dishes.
• Wilson Point: It is named after Sir Leslie Wilson, the governor of Bombay province. It is recognized as the best place to watch the sun rise above the clouds, also known as Sunrise Point. In Mahabaleshwar, Wilson Point is considered the highest point, with an elevation of 1439 m. You can take 360 panoramic views from the point. On this plateau, three watchtowers give a majestic view of Mahabaleshwar.
• Elphinstone Point: Savitri River emerges from this point, offering a pristine view of Pratapgadh Fort and Konya Valley to the tourists. The place got its name, Elphinstone, from the name of Mountstuart Elphinstone, who was then the Governor of the Bombay Presidency.
• Pratapgarh Fort: The fort is located 22 Km from Mahabaleshwar and is famous because of its historical significance. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the reason behind the construction of Pratapgarh Fort. This place is a paradise for history lovers as the major battle between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Kahna was held here. 

Important things to remember about the temples in Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar temple timings

Opening timings: from 6 AM to 12:30 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM

Location: Old Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

Aarti Timings: 6:00 AM (Mangala Arti)

Entry Fees: Free entry

Krishna Bai Temple

Opening timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Location: Mahabaleshwar

Entry Fees: No entry fees 

Shri Panchganga Mandir

Opening timings: 5 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM 

Location: Old Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra 

Entry Fees: No charges to enter 

Famous food of Mahabaleshwar 

Food and culture are two pillars of any society, and if you want to know Mahabaleshwar a little more, then you must indulge in the local cuisine of Mahabaleshwar. Here, you can get the products freshly made with strawberries and more. Mostly, you will find vegetarian dishes, as this land is mostly inhabited by Hindus. Walk through the names of the foods that are written in the further lines: 

• Puran Poli
• Vada Pav
• Misal Pav
• Corn Patties
• Bharli Vangi
• Zunka Bhakar
• Maharastrian Thali
• Starwaberry cream 
• Piyush

Famous Restaurants in Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is full of life and can be a great escape if you want a break from your mundane life. While in Mahabaleshwar, you must gather information about the restaurants that must be on your list. In the restaurants, you can get vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and pick any of the dishes as per your preferences. Skim through the names of the restaurants that are mentioned below:  

• Woods- The Forest Dining Experience: It is famous for its Asian cuisine.
• Mapro Garden: People can have Strawberries with cream, which is delectable.
• Bagicha Corner: Multiple dishes are famous, but here one must try Corn Patties.
• Templetree Cafe: The Labneh Cheese Platter of Templetree Cafe is quite famous. 
• The Grapevine: This restaurant serves the best Pasta in rich creamy sauce in the town. 
• Aman Restaurant: This place is heaven for people who love Vegetable Biryani. 
• Farmhouse Bistro: If you love Italian cuisine, especially pizza, you should quickly appear at Farmhouse Bistro and have wood-fired pizzas.   
• Oliver's Yard: The special dish in Lover's Yard is a Continental Breakfast. 
• Hotel Centre Points: North Indian Thalis are best served in Hotel Centre Points.  
• Little Italy: Little Italy is known best in the field for its Authentic Italian Cuisine. 

Things to shop

Travelers can explore Mahabaleshwar and bring souvenirs for their loved ones. This place is full of spectacular stuff. Focus on the things that are outlined below that people can shop for when they are in Mahabaleshwar:

• Leather Goods
• Walking sticks
• Strawberries
• Jams and Jellies
• Raspberries

How to reach Mahabaleshwar?

Mahabaleshwar is a hill station that is becoming famous, and huge crowds can be seen during the peak seasons. Before arriving at Mahabaleshwar, you must learn about the ways through which you can go to Mahabaleshwar. Here are the details of reaching Mahabaleshwar through different means of transportation: 

By Bus

Multiple bus companies offer service to passengers who are interested in visiting Mahabaleshwar. Book your tickets and they will take you to Mahabaleshwar. 

By Train 

Mahabaleshwar does not have its railway station; however, you can arrive at Wathar railway station, which is 60 Km away from Mahabaleshwar. 

By Air  

Pune International Airport is the nearest airport, just 120 Km away from Mahabaleshwar. Buses and taxis can be found at the airport and can be opted for as per your preferences. 

FAQs 

1. Can I cover Mahabaleshwar in a single day?

Mahabaleshwar is a magnificent location; if you plan wisely and follow it, then most of the mandatory places can be covered in one day, hassle-free. However, if you have free time, try to make Mahabaleshwar's plan for at least 3-4 days; this ensures that you do not miss out on anything in Mahabaleshwar.

2. How many tourists visit Mahabaleshwar annually?

Tourists love the pristine sightseeing of Mahabaleshwar, and annually, it is visited by around 25 lakh people. This number not only involves the tourists within India, but there are foreign tourists as well. Moreover, the number of tourists is increasing day by day.

3. Which point is known as the highest peak of Mahabaleshwar?

The highest peak of Mahabaleshwar is Wilson Point, which is at 4,710 feet above sea level. It has another name, "Sunrise Point," because of the eye-catching sunrise from the point.

4. Is there any old name of Mahabaleshwar?

Yes, previously, Mahabaleshwar was known as Malcom Peth. It was named after Sir John Malcom, a governor of Bombay in British rule.

5. Which rivers start from Mahabaleshwar?

The Konya, Venna, Gayatri, Krishna, and Savitri rivers start from Mahabaleshwar. The sources of all five rivers are Panchanaga Temples, which are located in Old Mahabaleshwar.