Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are beautiful hill stations known for their strawberry cultivation, located in Satara district of Maharashtra. Situated amidst the Western Ghats, about 120 kilometers south of Pune, these places can be easily reached via road. The nearest railway station is Satara and the nearest airport is in Pune.
We started our journey from Pune towards Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani via road. As soon as we left Pune city, we found an expressway. The road to Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani is very scenic, surrounded by lush green hills and waterfalls. After a journey of about 3 hours, we reached Panchgani.
➥ Panchgani
Panchgani means ‘surrounded by five hills’. The weather in Panchgani was very pleasant. There was light rain and clouds in the sky, making the atmosphere delightful. The most famous spot in Panchgani is Table Point. Many Bollywood films have been shot here, including the song ‘Poocho Zara Poocho’ from the movie ‘Raja Hindustani’. This point is a vast flat area spread over several square kilometers on top of the hill. There are arrangements for horse riding and walks on tangas (horse-drawn carriages) extending far and wide from this point.
We sat on a tanga and roamed around humming the song from ‘Raja Hindustani’. At this point, you can find hot roasted corn, which tastes excellent in the cool weather. Near this point, there is an ancient cave named Tiger Cave. The view from Table Point in all directions is very beautiful. There is also a very beautiful lake near Table Point. There are several shops near this point where you can have breakfast, including Maggi, tea, and pakoras. After spending about 2 hours at Table Point, we headed towards our next destination, Mahabaleshwar.
➥ Mahabaleshwar
I would like to tell you about some of the best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar one by one-
➣ Mapro Garden
On the way from Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar lies a very popular place called Mapro Garden. Every year, a Strawberry Festival is held here. There is a fantastic restaurant operated by the Mapro company at this location. Everyone should definitely visit here. The kitchen here is open, where you can see everything being cooked in front of your eyes. Watching pizzas, sandwiches, bread, and various drinks being prepared is a wonderful experience. There is also a chocolate factory where you can see chocolates being made.
Additionally, there is a shopping complex where you can buy various excellent products of the Mapro company such as toffees, chocolates, juices, and more. There is ample space for children to play here. After spending some time here, we continued our journey ahead.
➣ Elephant Head Point / Needle Point / Wai Village
This is a very good viewpoint from where you can see the Sahyadri Range. The name Elephant Head Point comes from a rock here that resembles the head of an elephant. It is also called Needle Point because of a rock with a hole resembling a needle’s eye. Below in the valley, the beautiful village of Wai is visible, where the famous Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan’s movie ‘Swades’ was shot. There is also an eco point here where if you speak towards the valley, your voice echoes back. There is a large lake in the valley as well.
From Kates Point nearby, there are arrangements for viewing the beautiful surroundings through binoculars. There is a beautiful waterfall nearby visible from Needle Point. We went near this waterfall where water falls from the mountain in the jungle into the valley. Before falling into the valley, the water from the waterfall passes through a flat area where you can dip your feet and relax. There is always a troop of monkeys welcoming you here, so keep your valuable belongings safe.
➣ Lodwick Point
This is my favorite point. The place is named after General Lodwick, the British officer who first reached here. From the car parking area, it’s about 2 kilometers through dense forests to reach here. Along the jungle path, there is also a 25-foot pillar that General Lodwick’s son erected in honor of his brave father. After crossing the jungle path, the further route is rocky and involves climbing. This point is situated on a high rock from where you can see the main fort of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Pratapgad Fort. The sprawling green valleys stretching far into the distance captivate everyone’s heart. Sitting here, we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful views in front of us and also took photos.
➣ Venna Lake
Venna Lake is the main attraction of Mahabaleshwar, spread over an area of 7-8 kilometers. This is a man-made lake constructed in 1942 to fulfill the water needs of Mahabaleshwar. The lake offers boating facilities, and during the monsoon, the misty weather makes the view of the lake stunning. On the other side of the lake, there is a small temple that looks beautiful from the boat.
Near Venna Lake, you can also enjoy horse riding. There are several snack shops along the lake where you can relish tea, coffee, Maggi noodles, pakoras, and fruits like raw mango with chili powder, carrots, guavas, and more. We had a great time enjoying these offerings by the lakeside.
➣ Krishnabai Temple
Krishnabai Temple is considered the source of the Krishna River. It is a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts. The temple, constructed with stones, has a beautiful architecture. Inside the temple, there is a statue from which water flows out of a cow’s mouth into a tank. There is also a Shivlinga in the temple premises. The scenic views of the beautiful ghats visible from the temple are incredibly captivating. We took many photos here, which look very impressive. It’s a must-visit place with a camera in hand.
➣ Wilson Sunrise Point
This is Mahabaleshwar’s Sunrise Point, where you can witness the magical spectacle of the sun rising from the mountains. Several towers have been built here for viewing the sunrise. The saffron rays of the sun emerging from the horizon present a very beautiful sight. Don’t forget to set an alarm and wake up early, or else you might miss this magnificent view.
➣ Arther Seat Point
This point is known as the Queen of all Points, named so because it was earlier known as Suicide Point. It was later named Arther Seat Point after Sir Arther Malet, who was the first person to establish residence here. From this point, you can easily understand the geographical divide between the Konkan and Deccan regions. The light green foliage spread across the hills and valleys provides a magnificent tranquility to the eyes.
A notable feature of this point is the phenomenon of the air pressure that causes light objects thrown into the valley to come back upwards. Be sure to secure your belongings from the monkeys that are abundant at this point.
➣ Bombay Point (Sunset Point)
This point is also known as Sunset Point, from where a beautiful view of the sunset can be seen. The sun dipping into the valley in front spreads its redness across the sky, creating a splendid sight. Parking here is limited, so it’s advisable to arrive a bit early.
Apart from these, you can also visit places like Sydney Point, Lingmala Waterfall, Chinaman Waterfall, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Elphinstone Point, and more. So don’t delay any further and come for a monsoon visit to Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani with your entire family.
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➜ Don’t forget to do these in Mahabaleshwar / Panchgani: Eat strawberries, have breakfast at Mapro Garden, enjoy boating at Venna Lake, go horse riding, and do photography.
➜ How to reach Mahabaleshwar / Panchgani: The nearest airport Pune is 120 kilometers away, and the nearest railway station Satara is 68 kilometers away. Mahabaleshwar is easily accessible by road, 260 kilometers from Mumbai and 120 kilometers from Pune.
➜ Best time to visit Mahabaleshwar / Panchgani: Although Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani can be visited throughout the year, the best time is from July to October (during the monsoon season).
➜ Recommended duration for visiting Mahabaleshwar / Panchgani: 2 days / 1 night
