Mahabaleshwar is a popular Hill Station located in Satara district, in the south-western part of Maharashtra in India. It is famous among residents of Urban areas of Mumbai, Thane, Navi-Mumbai and Pune as a weekend holiday spot for picnic, adventure and trekking activities. People from these cities often come here to take a break from the hustle-bustle and commotion that is daily faced in every Indian city.
Mahabaleshwar is about 230 KM (5.5 hour) drive from Mumbai and about 120 KM (3 hour) drive from Pune. It does not have a railway station of its own, the closest being Satara railway station, which comes in Satara city, that is 57 KM (1.5 hour) from the hill station.
People often visit Mahabaleshwar to buy edible products like Jams, Squashes (Sherbets), Sugar Candies and most important - Fresh Strawberries. Mahabaleshwar has vast estates having Strawberry Farms that are used to prepare Jams, Milkshakes and also Syrups of the red fruit. People are fond of eating Strawberries with Whipped Cream besides its Milkshake, that is a must try in this place. Venna Lake is a large water body in Mahabaleshwar, which has paddle boats for tourists, to traverse across the lake to enjoy its natural beauty. It is clearly visible from the highway to the Main Market of the Hill Station. Many eateries are available on the border of the Lake.
Mahabaleshwar gets it name from Shri Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, a Holy Shrine of Lord Shiva. Shivaji Maharaj, a famous Maratha king used to often visit there to take blessings of the Deity. Mahabaleshwar is known for its proximity to Pratapgad Fort, which has its own historical importance related to life of Shivaji Maharaj. Pratapgad is 21 KM (45 minutes) drive from Mahabaleshwar. It is said that in 1659, Shivaji was supposed to meet Afzal Khan, a military general of the Bijapur Sultanate. The meeting was scheduled to establish a truce between both Maratha and Bijapur kingdoms.
Pratapgad Fort (Left - Outside View , Right - Inside View ), Mahabaleshwar
However, Afzal Khan had sinister motives. When both Shivaji and Afzal Khan met and hugged each other, the latter tried to stab Shivaji. However, Shivaji was well-prepared for this betrayal. He (Shivaji) took out his wagh-nakh (metallic tiger claws) and pierced the stomach of Afzal Khan, who died on the spot. That resulted in Battle of Pratapgad, in which Marathas defeated their enemy, forcing them to retreat back to their home territory.
Mahabaleshwar offers adventure activities like Horse Riding, Trekking and Paragliding across the Valley. It is close to Panchgani (20 KM, 40 minutes drive), known for its large houses owned by the rich and famous in India. It also has a few elite boarding schools, established in the late 19th century. They attract students from the nearby cities of Mumbai and Pune.
MSRTC and Private Bus Operators have daily scheduled bus services between Mumbai and Pune to Mahabaleshwar via Panchgani. Mahabaleshwar has numerous hotels and resorts, that offer accommodation to various categories of tourists based on budget and group size.
