Mahabaleshwar: Mahabaleshwar India: Hill station, Tourist Attraction Spot, Place
Mahabaleshwar is also known as the queen of all hill stations. This hill station is situated at an altitude of 1372 m in the heart of Sahyadri Hills in Satara District. Its name is derived from a temple of Lord Mahadev and three Sanskrit words,
Mahabaleshwar is a city and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station located in the Western Ghats range. With one of the few evergreen forests of India, which served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.
Geography and climate
Mahabaleshwar is located at 17.92 ° N 73.67 ° E. It has an average elevation of 1,353 meters (4,439 feet).
Located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Pune and 285 km (177 miles) from Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau measuring 150 km2 (58 sq mi), bound by valleys on all sides. It reaches a height of 1,438 m (4,718 ft) at its highest point above sea level, known as Wilson / Sunrise Point.
Mahabaleshwar comprises three villages: Malcolm Peth, Old "Kshetra" Mahabaleshwar and part of the people Shindola.
Mahabaleshwar is the source of the Krishna River that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The legendary source of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of Mahadev in Old Mahabaleshwar. Legend has it that Krishna is Lord Vishnu himself as a result of a curse on the Trimurti by Savitri. Also, its tributaries Venna Koyana is said that Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma themselves. An interesting thing to notice is that 4 other rivers come out of the cow's mouth apart from Krishna and all who travel some distance before merging into Krishna. These rivers are the Koyana, Venna (Veni), Savitri and Gayatri.
Tourism
Venna Lake
Today, Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist destination and honeymoon spot, and an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is the site of Mahabaleshwar Temple. Many tourists visit nearby Panchgani. After the construction of a new road, which is only a five hour drive from Mumbai. Mahabaleshwar is also known for the honey and strawberries produced here. One can visit strawberry farms to enjoy the real taste of the fruit. It is said that the climate of Mahabaleshwar is ideal for strawberries and blackberries. You can also get a taste of "Strawberries with Cream" (season: Jan-Feb) or "berries and cream" (season: April-May).
Boats in the Venna lake in Mahabaleshwar.
The Venna lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides. A late winter evening boat ride through the slight fog is well appreciated. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride on the lake or a horse ride next to the lake. A series of small restaurants line the lakeshore. The city market and the ST Mahabaleshwar bus stop is about 2 km from the lake and makes for a nice walk during the day. Most tour operators include the Venna lake in their tours. Most buses, private vehicles will stop at the Venna lake on their way to Mahabaleshwar on request.
With another popular and scenic Hill Resort Panchgani very close (about 20 km), most tourists often visit both places together. The phenomenon of the "plateau" of nature at Panchgani is breathtaking.
Points
Mahabaleshwar is known for its "points", which a person can endure and enjoy the landscape. There are more than 14 points in total, offering a unique view to the tourists.
Arthur's Seat is a point at a height of 1340 mts. The point was named after Sir Arthur Mallet, who sat here and watched the Savitri river, where he lost his wife and children in a tragic ferry accident. The point is a very picturesque place to visit. Many tourist taxis have this point in their travel plans.
Balakwadi Dam seen from the point of Kate
Kate Point is east of Mahabaleshwar and is famous for its view of two reservoirs, and Dhom Balakwadi. The point is around 1,280 meters. The point is named after the daughter of Sir James Malcolm Kate, who developed a taste for the place.
Needle Hole Point
Rock needle hole, seen from the point of
Needle hole point is near the point of Kate. One can observe a natural rock formation with a hole in the middle, thus the name needle hole. The point is also famous for the view of the Deccan traps, which resemble an elephant's trunk.
Wilson Point
The name of Sir Leslie Wilson, Governor of Bombay from 1923 to 1926, Wilson Point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar at 1439 mts. Known as Sindola Hill during colonial rule, Wilson point is the only place in Mahabaleshwar at sunrise and sunset can be seen. It offers a spectacular view of Mahabaleshwar in all directions.
3 Monkey Point
Appointed by the Stones Natural sculpture that looks like three monkeys sitting next to each other and potraying three monkeys of Gandhi.
History
On the outskirts of Mahabaleshwar, towards Panchgani.
The first historical mention of Mahabaleshwar dates back to 1215 when King Singhan of Deogiri visited Old Mahabaleshwar. He built a small temple and water tank at the source of the river Krishna. Around 1350 a Brahmin dynasty ruled this area. A mid 16th century the Maratha family of Chandarao More defeated the brahmin dynasty and became rulers of Javli and Mahabaleshwar, during which period the temple was rebuilt Old Mahabaleshwar.
In the 17th century Shivaji Maharaj took over Javli and Mahabaleshwar and constructed the Pratapgad fort in 1656.
In 1819, the British included the hills in the territory of the Raja of Satara. Col. Lodwick (Late General Sir) stationed at Satara, in April 1824 a contingent of soldiers and Indian guides climbed up the mountainside to reach what is now known as the Lodwick Point.
From Sir John Malcolm in 1828, a succession of them from Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone, Arthur Malet (whose name the seat at "Point Arthur"), Carnac, Frere and many others became regular visitors.
Mahabaleshwar today was born in the year 1829-1830. In old records it is mentioned as Malcolm Peth, but in practice today it is known as Mahabaleshwar.
In addition to the dozens of magnificent "points" scenic, perennial springs, streams and waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar plateau, with its excellent climate throughout the year, said the English and others to Mahabaleshwar like honey bees to sweet nectar. In the late 19th century it had become an attractive popular hill station of world renown.
Raj Bhavan, the summer residence of the Governor of Maharashtra, is also located here.
"Babington House", a magnificent colonial-style bungalows built in the shape of a cross with a deep verandah, elaborate metal work railing and extensive dependencies are considered the most beautiful country house Mahableshwar.
It was formerly one of the main squares of the country Dubash family, Parsi ship chandler dynasty from Bombay who sold it to the Rahejas in the 1970s. It contains a central dining room with a table of 24 seats and a beautiful pavilion library books first complete edition of the Dubash family, especially Jamsetjee "Jimmy" Kavasjee Dubash, a great bibliophil and art collector.
Demographics
As of 2011 India census, Mahabaleshwar had a population of 12,737. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Mahabaleshwar has an average rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 84% and female literacy is 71%. In Mahabaleshwar, 11% of the population is 6 years old.
Transport
Way
Mahabaleshwar is located about 32 km from Wai. It is around 285 km from Mumbai, the state capital. The nearest major town is Satara, about 55 km, which is 120 km from Pune. Mahabaleshwar is connected by National Highway 4. Bus services from private organizations and state MSRTC buses connect Pune, Mumbai, Sangli and Satara ....
Rail
Nearest Railway Satara, around 58 km. The nearest major railway junctions include Pune (120 km), Miraj (170 km), Sangli (165 km). Cars and taxis private and state bus services are available in these places to Mahabaleshwar.
Air
The nearest airport is Pune International Airport, serving the city of Pune, about 120 km from Mahabaleshwar. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is 270 km. ----