Mahabaleshwar Hill Station

About Mahabaleshwar ..

Mahabaleshwar is a city and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This is a mountain resort close at theWestern Ghats. With one of the few evergreen forests of the world, he served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.

A large evergreen plateau with long beautiful roads, horse rides and walks along the forest. Honey & Chikki, Channa, Waling sticks. Fruits such as strawberries, raspberries goose berries, and muberries. Vegetables like red potatoes, French beans, beets, lettuce, carrots, Raddish. Venna Lake Boat.

High mountains, breathtaking valleys. Lush vegetation. Fresh, crisp mountain air. This is Mahabaleshwar, Hill Station of Maharashtra's most popular, and once the summer capital of Bombay Presidency during the British Raj.

Mahabaleshwar means "God's Great Power" in Sanskrit. In fact, the place is big and generous, rewarding visitors with a mixture of old world charm, natural beauty and modernity.

A trip to Mahabaleshwar town and surrounding countryside would take at least a few days because there is much to see and experience. The bazaar town called Malcolm Pether after the then British Governor of Bombay, Sir John Malcolm. It is located in the heart of Mahableshwar with its hotels, shops, restaurants, bungalows devices, government offices, and pushed the crowd.

Mahabaleshwar is correct, passable roads at each point is worth seeing. So you could visit the place by car, jeep or even on horseback. There are many buildings and places that take one back to the days of the Raj. It is Mount Malcolm, the residence of a governor when Malcolm; Moraji Castle, where Mahatma Gandhi lived in 1945, and the Mahabaleshwar Club.

As a short distance from the city is the beautiful Venna Lake, where you can go boating, fishing, and pony. Or pamper yourself with an entertainment center with a large number of food and the game stops. Near the lake, continue along the road near Panchgani, Strawberry Fields is a large.

Mahabaleshwar is famous for its many tourist attractions, each offering a unique perspective on the majestic hill range. On the way to point Dhom Babington is the mother, which is a good place to take a break. Or you can visit Old Mahabaleshwar and the famous Panchganga Mandir, said to contain the springs of five rivers: Koyna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri and the sacred river Krishna. There is also Mahabaleshwar Mandir, revered for his Swayambhu Lingam

Mahableshwar is the perfect holiday destination all year round, with the exception of the months of monsoon. At the end of June to mid September when heavy rains almost stop, this hill station, so travel is not recommended at this time.


Getting There..

Air The nearest airport is Pune, 120 km.

Nearest railhead is Wathar, but Pune is considered to be more convenient.

Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar via Mahad, 247 km. State Transport buses ply regularly between Pune-Mahabaleshwar and Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar

To see at different points

Wilson Point also called as Sunrise point. The climax. 4710 m above sea level. It is a vast plateau. There are three masonry round platforms to see the sunrise. It is recommended to watch the sunrise from platform no: 2. You can see sunset also from this point.

Connaught Peak

The second highest point. It presents an overview of a green carpet. You can see the sunrise and sunset from this point.

Point Elphistone

The first point of M'war / Overlooking two valleys, Koyna on the left and Savitri on the right.

Marjorie Point

Shoes several ranges of Sahyadri range.

Castle Rock

On the way to Arthurs Seat shows Savitri valley.

Arthurs Seat

Queen of all points. Some compare stractification rocks on the south side of the world famous stratification of rocks of the Grand Canyon of Colarado. United States. It is fascinating to see the barren deep valley Savitri on the shallow valley to the left and green on the right. It is fascinating to know that Arthur's Seat is the only place Displays geographical difference in Kokan & Desh (Deccan), two areas in Mahabaleshwar, so clear and so close. If you choose the steps that you will encounter a spring known as Tiger Spring is supposed to be the source of the river Savtri. Immediately below the point of the window seat. You must go deep by steps to reach the window point.Kates Point offers a panoramic view of the Krishna valley and deep water in the dam CDMA. South side, it looks like an elephant's head. It is also an echo point.

Point of Baghdad

A really nice. Moleshware city going past on the road. You see a panoramic view of the Koyna dam waters turn to the left, the river solshi front of you with small villages, as if sqatting on the banks of the river and great green slopes of the plateau on M'war right.

Babington point

Shows a view of saddle back & Koyna valley.

Northcote Point

Koyan this point of view of the valley and the back seat.

Falkland Point

Below Artists Point also called as lovers point by some nature lovers, present and Koyan beautiful valley.

Carnac Point

In the same way about Malvinas.

Fitzgerald point

Even to the point of Bombay.

Bombay Point

Sunset Point very popular. Displaying the Sahyadri range Koyan Valley & Pratap Garh.

Gaolan point

Distance of about 7 km away from the bus station ST, Tapola the street is at the intersection of the road will take you to the village from research Maharola Maharola little or map should not be hard to find at this point. after reaching the point you find yourself standing in the mountain pass known as Zolachi Khind and enjoy the view of two valleys, the two sides. If you go around gaolani you can enjoy the scenery in the valley koyana right hand in many places.

Lodwick Point & Boars Head

Project to M'war pratapgardh of plateau, you will see the surrounding landscape with fear.

Lamington Plateau

You can walk along a trail of Ganapati Mandir. If you follow the plan correctly, you will reach the plateau safely.

Panchgani Point

Show Panchgani plateau in the east coast.

Hélène point

Solshi river begins from this point with a small waterfall near the source. Blue Valley is poetry in front of you.

Rosamond Rock

Splendor of its heavenly beauty transcends all boundaries descriptions.

Waterfalls

Chinamans Falls, Lingmala & Dhobi, the flow of a lot only during the rainy season.

Polo Ground

Often used as a helipad, also used for learning car driving.

Bee-Service Center

Educational displays in the production of honey bees.

Landmarks near Mahabaleshwar

Pratap GADH

Pratap GadhAt distance of 25 km from Mahabaleshwar stands the majestic tomb of the great houses Pratapgadh Afzalkhan foot. And 'the temple of Bhavani Mata, idol worship of the King Shivajiraje Bhosle. There is a statue of Shivaji Maharaj inside the fort called Bale Killa.

Table of land

The largest in Asia. A small plane can land here.

Panchgani

At about 19 km, lies the hill station Mahableshwar Panchgani. It is surrounded on all sides by hills ("Panch" = five, "Gani" = hills) and is very popular with tourists due to its proximity to Mahabaleshwar. Panchgani is known for its residential school and raspberries and strawberries. Visitors to Mahabaleshwar Panchgani almost always come to enjoy their holidays in the hills

Shimla ~ The Queen Of Hills

Shimla is the Capital Town of Himachal Pradesh. It was formerly the summer capital during the British Rule. The town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges. The important hills are Jakhu(8050 ft), Prospect Hill (7140 ft), Observatory Hill ( 7050 ft), Elysium Hill (7400 ft), and Summer Hill (6900 ft). There is a great controversy over the origin of the name Shimla. The name Shimla was derived from 'Shyamalaya' meaning blue house said to be the name of house built of blue slate by a faqir on Jakhu. According to one version Shimla takes it name from 'Shamla' meaning a blue female another name for Goddess Kali. The place was on the Jakhu Hillside, there was a temple of Goddess Kali. During the British period the image of the Goddess was shifted to a new place ,now famous Kali Bari Temple. Shimla remained unnoticed during the Gurkha War. It was only in 1819 A.D. that the then Assistant Political Agent of hill states Lt. Ross set up first British residence, a mere wood cottage. His successor Lt. Charles Patt Kennedy' errected the first pucca house in 1822 named after Lt. Kennedy as 'Kennedy House'.

The construction of Hindustan Tibet road was started in 1850-51 commencing from Kalka and first lap was upto Shimla. The Road upto Shimla came to be used for wheeled traffic by 1860. A 560 feet long tunnel was constructed beyond Sanjauli.

In 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla.

Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very different from other hill stations. Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings, among them are the stately Viceregal Lodge, Charming iron lamp posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snow clad peaks. In 1946 leaders of the Indian nationalist movement came to Shimla for a crucial conference that paved the way to Independence. Shimla’s legacy of British control has left in somewhat of Aesthetic anomaly: an Indian town, a state capital, no less that looks and feels like a village in Northern England.

The completion of the Kalka-Shimla narrow-gauge railway line, in 1903, gave a fillip to the towns development. After Independence, Shimla was initially the capital of Punjab. Following the creation of Himachal Pradesh, in 1966, it was designated the capital of the Himachal Pradesh.

Climate

Shimla features a subtropical highland climate under the Koppen climate classification. The climate in Shimla is predominantly chilly during winters, and moderately warm during summers. The temperatures range from 3.95 °C (39.11 °F) to 32.95 °C (91.31 °F) over the year.^[18] The average temperature during summer is between 14 °C and 20 °C, and between -7 °C and 10 °Cin winter. Monthly precipitation varies between 24 mm in November to 415 mm in July. It is typically around 45 mm per month during winter and spring and around 115 mm in June as themonsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is 1520 mm (62 inches). Snowfall in the region, which historically has taken place in the month of December, has lately (over the last fifteen years) been happening in January or early February every year.

Transport

The Kalka-Shimla railway line, constructed in 1906, added to Shimla's accessibility and popularity. The railway route from Kalka to Shimla, with more than 806 Bridges and 103 tunnels, was touted as an engineering feat and came to be known as the "British Jewel of the Orient". In 2008, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mountain railways of India. Not only that, there was a significant Muslim population in the region before the partition of British India. In addition, Shimla was the capital of the undivided state of Punjab in 1871, and remained so until the construction of the new city of Chandigarh (the present-day capital of Punjab). Upon the formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh in 1971, Shimla was named its capital.

Local transport in Shimla is by bus or private vehicles. Buses ply frequently on the circular road surrounding the city centre. Tourist taxis are also an option for out of town trips. Locals typically traverse the city on foot. Private vehicles are prohibited on the mall, ridge, and nearby markets. Due to narrow roads and steep slopes, the auto rickshaws common in other Indian cities are largely absent.

Shimla is well-connected by road and rail. The National Highway 22 (NH 22) connects Shimla to the nearest big city of Chandigarh. The scenic Kalka Shimla Railway, a narrow gauge track, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the steepest rise in altitude in a distance of 96 km.^[37]Kalka, the plains rail terminus, has daily departures to major Indian cities. Flights from the airport at Jubbarhatti (12 km away)^[38] connect Shimla to Delhi.

By Air: Shimla Airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 kms from the city and is connected to Chandigarh, Kullu and Delhi. Commercial service at the Jubbarhatti Airport is limited with six flights a week operating to and from Delhi, all operated by Jagson Airlines. Chandigarh offers far better options. Major airlines including Indian, Jet Airways and Air Deccan operate flights to Delhi, Jammu, and Mumbai (with a Delhi stop-over).

By Train: Shimla is connected to Kalka (96 kms) on narrow-gauge and it takes around 6 Hrs from Kalka to reach Shimla. There are 3-4 trains daily from Kalka to Shimla and vice-versa. This railway track has recently been granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The view is stunning, with the line passing through an amazing 103 tunnels, the longest being 1.2 km long. The fastest way to get to Kalka is to catch the Shatabdi Express, which departs early morning from the New Delhi Railway Station, arriving at Kalka four hours later or a number of other options from Delhi.

By Road: Shimla is connected by road to all the major towns. A few distances between the Major Towns and Shimla and duration of journey are mentioned below-

Kalka- 80 kms (3 - 3 ½ hours by bus or car)

Chandigarh- 119 Kms (3 ½ - 4 hours by bus or car)

Ambala - 166 Kms (4 ½ - 5 hours by bus or car)

Delhi - 370 Kms (8 - 9 hours by bus or car)

Places of interest

The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping street of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall.

Christ Church: Situated on the Ridge, Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

Jakhu Hill: 2 km from Shimla, at a height of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of Lord Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by all visitors.

Shimla State Museum: The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to protect hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.

Indian Institute of Advanced Study: This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, built in 1884-88.

Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 km from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

Annandale: Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2–4 km from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and polo.

Tara Devi: 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi hill has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. Sankat Mochan: A Lord Hanuman temple is located here.

Junga: Junga is a Tehsi 26 km from Shimla ; its original name (with diacritics) is Jūnga and is a former royal retreat of the princely state of Junga (also known as Keonthal Estate).

Mashobra: 13 km from Shimla, site of the annual Sipi fair in June.

Kufri: 16 km from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft, Kufri is the winter sports capital and also has a small zoo.

Chharabra: 13 km from Shimla on route to Kufri.

Naldehra: 22 km from Shimla, with a nine-hole Naldehra Golf Club. The annual Sipi fair in June is held in Naldehra.

Chail: Chail was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before Independence, known for its cricket pitch, the highest in the world.

Arki: (46 km) is the site of an 18th century fort built when Arki was the capital of the erstwhile hill state of Baghal

Tatapani: Location of sulphur springs which are found near the Tatapani mandir(holy temple)

Sanjauli: The main suburb of Shimla.

Manali - The Heaven of Earth..!!

Nestled in the Himalayan foothills, Manali is a hill station that is famous for its pristine ambience and carries significant religious importance. Tourists from all walks of life and from various countries flock this hill station in summer as well as in winter. Manali has a lot more to offer than just beautiful views and a scenic environment. It is famous for adventure sports such as mountaineering, paragliding, hiking, skiing and whitewater rafting. Furthermore, this Indian town is ideal for someone who has an inclination towards religion. Numerous Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples give a divine aura to this place which is near the source of the Beas River. This town also offers many side trips to nearby tourist attractions and is a melting pot for people who enjoy quite treks in this valley. Also called as the Switzerland of India, this town has much to offer to tourists and pilgrims alike.


Flights Manali is located in the northern corner of the Kullu valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The nearest airport is Bhuntar which is a small town located about thirty miles from Manali. Flights are available from Delhi as well as Chandigarh; however the prices are higher as there are fewer passengers and the planes are smaller. It’s advisable not to carry too much luggage if you fly to the place since only a limited amount of baggage is allowed on the airplane. Also be ready for unexpected delays in winter and Monsoon due to the weather conditions.

By road The town is connected to Delhi, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, and Leh and it takes around eighteen hours to reach Manali from Delhi. Although this is a frugal option, it can be uncomfortable as a complete day is spent in getting there and not recommended for people who are visiting India for the first time. Taxis are also available from Delhi and are a little expensive compared to buses; however make sure that you hire an experienced driver who has visited the hill station before.
By rail The Town is connected by rail to two major cities; Chandigarh and Ambala Cantonment. However it is better to choose Chandigarh as your starting point since you will have to travel to Ambala first and it takes around ten hours by road from Delhi to Ambala. Traveling by rail in India is one of the best options if you want a comfortable as well as low-priced method of getting anywhere. Make sure that you book your tickets well in advance and choose the air conditioned coach as it not as overcrowded as other coaches.

Local travel Once you have reached this beautiful hill station, there are various options for local travel and you can choose among these depending on your budget, the season, and the duration of your stay. Many tourists hire a taxi for getting around the town and the usual charge can be anywhere from INR 1000 to INR 1500 ($20-$30) for a single day. If you are planning a short sojourn then this option is the best as you will not compromise on comfort and enjoy many tourist attractions in a single day. Another option is to hire a bike and the cost is approximately ten to fifteen dollars a day depending on the season. The local Indian government buses are not recommended as they are unreliable and not very frequent. Rickshaws are also another option but they are expensive and a little uncomfortable compared to taxi cabs.

Sightseeing

Rohtang Pass The Rohtang pass is at an altitude of 3979 meters or 13,050 feet from the sea level and offers some breathtaking views. However, this pass is closed during winters because of heavy snow and is cold even in the summer months. The Pass is almost an hour’s drive from the hill station and it can take a complete day for you to reach the place and get back to Manali.

The Hidimba Devi Temple This temple was built in the 1500’s and carries immense religious importance in Hinduism. This place holds significance in the Mahabharata Epic in which the exiled Pandavas were threatened and attacked by Hidimb who was a Raskhas (demon). A fight ensued between Bheema (one of the Pandavas) and Hidimb was killed in the battle. However, Bheema later married Hidimb’s sister Hidimba giving birth to a great warrior named Ghatotkach who had a pivotal role to play in Mahabharata. The temple is thronged by tourists and visitors and is unique since it is very old and is located in a cave.


Vashist Hot Water Springs These are medicinal springs that are supposed to have a salubrious effect and are not far away from Manali itself. Located approximately one mile from the town, these springs are equipped with Turkish baths for the convenience of tourists. There are two temples dedicated to saint Vashist and the smaller one has beautiful and elaborate wood carvings. The temple tanks are the underground hot water springs that contain sulfur which gives the water medicinal properties.

Tibetan Monasteries There are many Tibetan monasteries in Manali and are worth seeing; some of the famous monasteries include the Thekchoking Gompa which is near ‘the mall’ and was constructed in 1969. The highest concentration of Buddhist monasteries is here in Manali and the Thekchoking Gompa also offers hand woven carpets which bring in some revenue to keep the monastery running. Another famous monastery is the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa which is smaller than Thekchoking Gompa but is beautiful, with flowers blooming around the place.


Solang Valley This place is thronged by tourists who are in search of adventure sports and some adrenalin. The valley offers various recreational activities to tingle your adrenal glands and is most visited during winter. Some of the adventure sports that can be enjoyed are skiing, paragliding, skating, and parachuting. However, some of these sports cannot be enjoyed in the summer but you can always go for Zorbing which is a sport in which two people are put inside a giant ball and rolled down a 200 meter hill.

Manikaran This place is also known for its hot springs and is also a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs. The place has mythological importance and is a good place only if you are interested in visiting temples and other places of worship.

Old Manali Old Manali is much more tranquil and peaceful compared to Manali town since the town is filled with honeymooners and families from all over India. It is crowded in the summer and is only good for making travel reservations or shopping. However old Manali is good for people who want the distinctive village atmosphere and charm rather than the hustle and bustle of the town. It is a good place for quiet morning walks and short treks. You can also enjoy the local wine in old Manali which costs around five dollars (American) a bottle.

Hotels Since Manali is a tourist attraction, there are numerous hotels ranging from the luxurious to small lodges for short and frugal stays. Some of the best hotels are The Picadily (the mall, city center), Hotel Manali Ashok (left bank aloe, Manali), Ambassador Resort (Sunny side, Chadiyari), and Holiday Inn (Prini, Manali). These are four star hotels that are located in the town; however more luxurious hotels can be found in the suburban areas of Manali.


Cuisine Manali has a potpourri of delicacies and staple diets to offer and food from many cultures and countries has found its way into the local restaurants and eateries. The local food is similar to Indian food albeit the recipes are different. You can enjoy various Indian cuisines such as the Gujarati ‘Thali’ or even pamper your taste buds with Tibetan delights. The German bakery in Old Manali is one of the melting pots for foreigners and tourists who want fresh palatable baked goods. Apple orchards also dot the scenic landscape and fresh apples can be bought at a very low price. Avoid roadside eateries and seedy hotels if you are visiting India for the first time. However, the In-House restaurants of premium hotels are good places for foreigners who are particular about hygienic gastronomy.


Safety Manali is a safe place for tourists; however caution is advised since this place is also the hub of Marijuana and Hashish smokers who can indulge in the vice since the plant grows like a weed here. Do not accept anything to smoke from a stranger and always keep your baggage sealed and visible. Drug smuggling is not uncommon in Manali and many peddlers come here to transport their contraband to other places in India and all over the world. Moreover, do not venture outside after midnight as it may not be safe since this is a sparsely populated hilly area.

Manali In Winters (Below)

Manali In Summer (Below)

Beas River, Manali (Below)