Mahabaleshwar, the strawberry capital of Maharashtra is a beautiful hill station located in the forested western ghats range, in south of Mumbai. The second name of Mahabaleshwar is “paradise of Maharashtra”. The name of this mesmerizing city came from the lord shiva (Mahabali), the temple is situated in old Mahabaleshwar, which is popularly known as Kshetra Mahabaleshwar. Mahabaleshwar is in the Satara district. Mahabaleshwar is among the 12 jyotirlingas of lord shiva. Krishna, Venna, Koyna, gayatri and Savitri are the 5 holy rivers which starts from here known as “Shri Panchganga temple”.
So, Let’s discuss about Mahabaleshwar, the best season to visit Mahabaleshwar, things to buy in Mahabaleshwar, nearby best destinations of Mahabaleshwar, best time to visit in Mahabaleshwar, how to reach Mahabaleshwar, Best restaurants in Mahabaleshwar and best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar.
Best attractions in Mahabaleshwar
The top attractions in Mahabaleshwar are elephant’s head point, Arthur’s seat, Krishnabai temple, Pratapgarh fort, Venna lake, Connaught peak, Mahabaleshwar temple, Wilson point (sunrise point), lingmala waterfall and dhobi waterfall.
Let’s know about the amazing places to visit in Mahabaleshwar.
Mahabaleshwar Temple
Mahabaleshwar temple is a highly admired lord shiva temple, located in the satara district of Maharashtra. This temple is famous for its massive religious significance, as Mahabaleshwar temple is the only temple in the world with a linga in the form of rudraksha.
Venna Lake
Venna lake is a must visit tourist attraction. This beautiful lake is a breathtaking man-made lake that welcomes people of all ages to spend quality time with their friends and family. This lake is made by shri Appa Saheb Maharaj; to serve water to nearby areas but slowly and steadily, it acquires the attention of everyone and becomes a must visit place and a perfect weekend destination.
Pratapgarh Fort
Pratapgarh fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This historical fort is situated 24 kms from Mahabaleshwar city. This historical fort witnessed major wars of that time. This fort gives the beautiful view of Mahadev temple from the upper fort area and the goddess Bhavani temple from the lower fort area.
Elephant’s head point
The elephant’s head point got its name as it looks like the head and trunk of an elephant. This point is famous because it offers a mesmerizing view of the green valley below, especially in the monsoon, when the region is full of life and lush.
Arthur’s seat
Arthur’s seat is popular for its queen valley view. It is located 13 km from Mahabaleshwar market. From an altitude of 1,470 meters, this site shows the beautiful view of Brahma-Arayana valley and Savitri.
Connaught peak
Connaught peak is the second highest peak in Mahabaleshwar. This peak is located at the height of 1400 meters above the sea level. The Connaught peak is famous for its awesome view of Venna lake and Krishna valley, which is really beautiful.
Krishnabai temple
Krishnabai temple is one of the known tourist places in Mahabaleshwar. This temple is meant to be the source of the Krishna river. This temple has a shiva lingam along with a stunning statue of the goddess krishna. Krishnabai temple was built in the 12 th century, the hemadpanthi style of architecture, which is signified by its graceful simplicity.
Wilson point (sunrise point)
Wilson point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar. This point is 4,710 feet above sea level. This amazing sun point has three watchtowers, each opening up to an impressive beautiful landscape. Wilson point is famous because this is the only location where both sunrise and sunset can be seen. This point offers a mesmerizing view in all directions.
Lingmala waterfall
Lingmala waterfall is 6 kms and situated between pune and Mahabaleshwar. It is one of the most mesmerizing waterfalls in the country. Known for its calm atmosphere and excellent view. Thousands of tourists came here to see the beauty of the glourise waterfall.
Dhobi waterfall
Dhobi waterfall is located 3 km from the main Mahabaleshwar town. This is the group of waterfalls connecting the elephant’s point . Surrounded by rocks and greenery, this place has an amazing view of nature. The waterfall streams down the Koyna river and it looks like a spectacle with haze and rainbows. This is an ideal picnic spot for tourists or visitors.
BEST TIME TO VISIT IN MAHABALESHWAR
The best time to visit in Mahabaleshwar is November-February. In this season the place is more crowded because it is the peak season. In this season the weather is pleasant with cool temperatures. you can enjoy trekking, sightseeing and picking fresh strawberries and enjoying them in the peak season.
In the moderate season there will be a moderate crowd. You can see the continuous rainfalls with cool weather. During this time you can visit the lakes and the waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar.
March – June is the off-season. Less crowd is there in off- season. Pleasant weather with a slight high temperature is found. You can enjoy sightseeing and trekking in this season.
FESTIVAL AND EVENTS OF MAHABALESHWAR
The famous event in Mahabaleshwar is the strawberry festival in march and the famous festival in Mahabaleshwar is Ganesh Chaturthi in august- September.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN MAHABALESHWAR
MULBERRY INN
Mulberry Inn is one of the famous restaurants in Mahabaleshwar. This is the budget friendly property located on the main road between panchgani and Mahabaleshwar. This restaurant serves non-veg, veg, Asian and Indian cuisine. This property location is convenient for visiting nearby tourist spots in Mahabaleshwar. The must try items are lasooni palak, tandoori roti, chicken chilly and matka chicken handi.
PRITHVI CAFÉ
Prithvi café is famous for their iconic theater. This café was built in the memory of the late Prithviraj Kapoor. This café in Mahabaleshwar is located at the new market. They serve vegetarian food which is prepared by using fresh veggies and herbs. The must try items are Suleimani chai (which is also known as Gulzar’s Favorite), rajma chawal, chili cheese toast and hummus bowls.
LITTLE ITALY RESTAURANT
Little Italy Restaurant is famous for serving delicious Italian food. It is located in Aaram lodging and boarding, next to lake view hotel, Mahabaleshwar. The environment of this restaurant is very calm. While enjoying your meal you can realize the mesmerizing view and birds chirping around. The must try items are pastas and pizza.
HOW TO REACH THE PLACES TO VISIT IN MAHABALESHWAR
Places to visit in Mahabaleshwar by air are the nearest airport is in pune airport which is 120 km away from Mahabaleshwar hill station.
By train, the nearest railway station is Wathar and this railway station is 60 km away.
To visit all the tourist spots by road, MSRTC is running frequent buses for travelers. MSRTC and many private buses are connecting the city to the main cities including Kolhapur, Pune, Mumbai, Nasik and some other cities.
conclusion
Mahabaleshwar’s timeless charm lies in its natural splendor, cultural richness, and inviting climate, making it a favored destination for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat amidst nature. Whether exploring viewpoints, indulging in local delicacies, or simply relaxing amidst the tranquil surroundings, Mahabaleshwar offers an unforgettable experience that leaves visitors enchanted and longing to return. It remains a sanctuary where serenity meets adventure, inviting all to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Sahyadris and the warmth of Maharashtrian hospitality.
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