What draws tourists to Mahabaleshwar is its beautiful scenery, the long rides and walks along the densely wooded pathways and footpaths that wind their way around this evergreen plateau. Snuggled in the lap of the Western Ghats, the greenery that greets you ensures that you come back the next time. The peace and the serenity on offer are worth a trip to Mahabaleshwar.
Established as a health resort as early as 1829, Mahabaleshwar remains the most spectacular and the largest hill-station in Maharashtra even today. Located just 220 kms from Mumbai, it is a popular haunt for tourists who wish to take a few days off from the daily rat race. Never too hot for its height nor too cold because of its proximity to the Arabian Sea, Mahabaleshwar can be visited any time of the year.<
+ more about MahabaleshwarWhat draws tourists to Mahabaleshwar is its beautiful scenery, the long rides and walks along the densely wooded pathways and footpaths that wind their way around this evergreen plateau. Snuggled in the lap of the Western Ghats, the greenery that greets you ensures that you come back the next time. The peace and the serenity on offer are worth a trip to Mahabaleshwar.
Established as a health resort as early as 1829, Mahabaleshwar remains the most spectacular and the largest hill-station in Maharashtra even today. Located just 220 kms from Mumbai, it is a popular haunt for tourists who wish to take a few days off from the daily rat race. Never too hot for its height nor too cold because of its proximity to the Arabian Sea, Mahabaleshwar can be visited any time of the year.
Mahabaleshwar draws its name from Sanskrit and means “God of Power”. It is interesting to know that this popular tourist haunt once housed a jail for Chinese and Malay convicts during the British rule. In fact, for sometime Mahabaleshwar was called ‘Malcolm Peth’ after John Malcolm, who built the sanatorium; and the bazaar is still named so. Like so many other places, the roads and railways made their way into this breath-taking western hill-station, thanks to the British.
Soon there were bungalows and churches, racecourses and Polo grounds and Mahabaleshwar came to serve as the summer capital of the Governor of the Bombay Presidency. According to ancient history, it is believed that once upon a time only Hindus could visit the Mahabaleshwar hills. It was only with the arrival of General Lodwick in 1828 that this norm was brought to an end.
April, Diwali and Christmas are the usual “seasons” but Mahabaleshwar is always ready to welcome you any time of the year. Accommodation is available in most of the hotels round the year, even during the rainy season.
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