Need a weekend getaway…..Mahabaleshwar it is!!!!!

Soaring peaks, breathtaking valleys.  Lush flora.  Cool, crisp mountain air....if this is what is on your mind, Mahabaleshwar is the place you would want to be in!!!

Mahabaleshwar (meaning 'God of Great Power’ in Sanskrit) is the largest hill station in the Sahyadri range and a municipal council in Satara district in state of Maharashtra.  It is situated at an altitude of 1372m above sea level, about 115km southwest of Pune. With one of the few evergreen forests of India, it served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.

Indeed, the place is great and bountiful, rewarding the visitor with a mix of old-world charm, natural beauty and modernity. A tour of Mahabaleshwar town and the surrounding countryside would take at least a couple of days as there is a lot to see and experience.  The town bazaar is called Malcolm Peth after the then British Governor of Bombay, Sir John Malcolm.  

Having proper, motorable roads to every point worth visiting, one can tour the place by car, jeep, or even horseback. There are many buildings and sites that take one back to the days of the Raj. There’s Mount Malcolm, the one-time residence of Governor Malcolm; Moraji Castle, where Mahatma Gandhi lived during 1945; and the Mahabaleshwar Club

As short drive from town is the beautiful Venna Lake, where one can go boating, fishing, and pony riding. Or indulge oneself at the entertainment center with its numerous food and game stalls. Near the lake, further down the road on the way to neighbouring Panchgani, are the great luscious strawberry fields. Mahabaleshwar is known for its numerous sightseeing points, each providing a unique perspective of the majestic hill range.  Mapro Garden, Wilson Point, Eliphintstone point, Bombay point, Kate's point, Arthur"s seat, lodwick point are just a few points to name, Or one could visit Old Mahabaleshwar and the famous Panchganga Mandir, which is said to contain the springs of five rivers: Koyna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri and the sacred Krishna River. There’s also the Mahabaleshwar Mandir, revered for its Swayambhu Lingam. Throughout the year Mahabaleshwar receives a mild and pleasing climate that is ideal for a weekend hideout even during summers. The coniferous forests in its vicinity play a major role in determining its rainfall and climate. The ideal time to visit mahabaleshwar would be october to June. One can reach Mahabaleshwar by road, air or Train from Bombay and Pune Throughout t