You won't find the towering beauty of folded mountains like the Himalayas here, but the attraction of the Western Ghats mountain range—with its table-top plateaus, more ancient than the Himalayas and surrounded by greenery—is no less captivating. In Maharashtra's Satara, nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats, lies the exquisite hill station of Mahabaleshwar. While the hill town is famous for strawberry cultivation, it has adorned itself with various offerings including green forests, waterfalls, lakes, and ancient architectural temples.
To reach Mahabaleshwar, the nearest airport is Pune. However, tourists from Mumbai and various other places in Maharashtra drive here to spend their holidays. This small town, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,500 feet, has multiple viewpoints. Standing at places like Arthur's Seat, Elephant Head Point (the part of the hill that looks exactly like an elephant's head), and Wilson Point, you'll get a panoramic view of the entire valley. Steep hills, forests rising amidst them, rivers flowing through their heart—an extraordinary ensemble. Along with this, there's the centuries-old Mahabaleshwar Temple, and moving a little ahead from there, you'll reach the 'Krishna Temple'.
Hearing the name, you might think it's perhaps Krishna's temple, but when you visit, you'll understand it's like a hidden surprise. This temple is actually the source of the Krishna River of the Deccan! A temple of Mahadev has been built around the small crack in the hill from where the Krishna River's flow begins. If you visit Mahabaleshwar during the monsoon, the swollen waterfalls and rain-washed green forests will surely enchant you. And in winter, you'll have the wonderful opportunity to see strawberry cultivation. The attraction of 'strawberry with cream' at various cafes is certainly there. You'll regret it if you don't taste it.
Do you love boating? Then Venna Lake is also there for you. And for those drawn to history, the destination is certainly Pratapgad Fort. This fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji still stands in its old glory. The small hill town of Mahabaleshwar stands embracing the beauty of the Western Ghats, biodiversity-rich forests, clear lakes, waterfalls, and history in its heart.
