At 1,372 meters above sea level, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most spectacular and the largest of Maharashtra'shill-stations.Mahabaleshwar was considered a holy place with a strong historical background for centuries. The name Mahabaleshwar means great ("Maha") Power ("Bali"). The first Briton to set foot here was Sir Charles Malet in 1791.Under General Peter Lodwick and Sir John Malcolm, the governor of Bombay, a sanitarium was built in 1828.After which the roads were bult n many resorts sprang up quickly.I visited Mahabalehwar on a college tour.It's about 120 kms from pune and about 290 kms from mumbai via pune.The Britishers built various mansions, Cottages and bunglows around the town, lending it a charming, sophistication.As soon as you finish with tall city skyscapers and busy streets and reach the outskirts of pune,beautiful landscapes start movin across your seat's window.Here's one of them.

As we neared mahabaleshwar we took a halt about 10-15 kms frm it.we had plans for trekkin through the forests of mahabaleshwar n believe me it was really worth it.The cool air in forest rejuvenates you n all the hard work of climbing the hills is definately rewarded as you cunquer the hills and get a spectacular view of the valley and a magnificient water fall.All the lovely views i captured i'ver shared them with you all below.

 

 

 

 

 

Then after some this eye treat we started towards mahabaleshwar.There are various points around the edge looking out over the flat-topped ghats, dense forests and lush green valleys below.Almost 1,240 meters above the sea level, Lodwick Point has a great view. There is a monument in memory of the general, erected by his son. Between Lodwick Point and Elphinstone Point lies the Dhobi waterfall. Also on the path to Elphinstone Point is a small scenic spot overlooking the Koyna river valley. Elphinstone Point is named after a former Governor of Mumbai. Lying at 1,348 mts above sea-level is Arthur's Seat, overlooking the beautiful Jor Valley. About a kilometer from this is Tiger's Spring and, following the same path, you will reach a small ledge

known as 'The Window' The view from here is simply mesmerizing.T sunset view at Eliphinstone point is beautiful beyond description.here is the sunset I captured and another interesting shot i picked was at one of the points in mahabaleshwar where there was a huge crowd of monkeys always waiting for tourists to buy a bunch of carrots or radishes sold by vendors.I gave carrots to this young one.

 

 

In Mahableshwar honey and strawberry crushes and jams are very famous. The place also has a wide variety of chikki (a famous local sweet).You can see farmers growing strawberry everywhere.MAPRO,a company producing various products of fruits like strawberries,kiwi fruits and many others cultivated there has been set up in mahabaleshwar.It also has a small nursery attatched to its offcie garden.Here are few beautiful shots of the garden.

 

It has a pleasant climate throughout the year. In summers , temperature range between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius and in winters it falls even further.So whenever you feel tired and strained of your fast and busy life and want to enjoy the branches dipping below the windows and bridsong waking you every morning,you know where to take a break...!!!