What to See
SIGHTSEEING OF VARIOUS POINTS AS
Sydney Point This point is situated on a small hillock facing the Krishna Valley .From here one can see the the glittering waters of the Dhom Dam and Pandavgad and Mandhardeo are also easily seen
Table Land Situated around 60 mts high ,this flat large expanse of laterite rock is the second longest mountain plateau in asia.There are some spacious caves that can be seen from here and one of them is Devil’s Kitchen
Parsi Point This windy road situated on the way to Mahableshwar overlooks the Krishna valley and the blue mirror like waters of the Dhom Dam.
Devil’s Kitchen: the Devil’s Kitchen situated to the south of tableland is also a place of mythological interest. It is believed that the Pandavas stayed here for a while and used this place to cook their food. There are some legends regarding this, though most of them appear to be mere tall tales. Some people claim that Pandvgadh Caves (near Wai) are also built by them and bear their name
Dhom Dam Dhom Dam water sports is one more amazing attraction for tourists which is 21 kms away from Panchgani. A beautiful boating spot.
Here one can enjoy with Scooter boats and Speed boats. Sporting in Krishna river stream with the beautiful natural surrounding is a wonderful experience in itself.
The Lingmala Falls The Lingmala Falls in Mahabaleshwar can be reached by road. It lies on the Mahabaleshwar-Poona road. The stream here precipitates over the face of steep cliff, unbroken when the torrent is swollen by rain but ordinarily divided by projecting rocks about one third of the way down into thin silver streaks and sprays often circled by rainbows. The forest bungalow of lingmala is also close by.
Rajapuri Caves About 10 km from the town, the caves have a religious importance as there is a temple of Lord Karthikeya, (Lord Shiva’s son) here. A temple of local goddess Ghatjal Devi is also in the area. A small local fair is held at the time of the harvest season.
Strawberry farms: Strawberry’s patches are seen all over Mahabaleshwar. Visitors are warmly welcomed to step in and taste the local fruit produces such as Strawberry, Mulberry, Raspberry, Gooseberry, and Pink radish and tender carrots.
Most of these farms provide very good authentic village veg & non-veg food.
Newly open attraction such as Essel world, Go-karting
Sneak Preview
Panchgani, the Maharashtra town in the midst of five hills, is an eternally beautiful hill station, a favorite escape clause for the Mumbai-weary. Panchgani is perennially fresh and inviting; its bracing climate complements the verdant surroundings. Flanked by tableland and craggy cliffs, Panchgani is 1334 m; just 38 m lower than Mahabaleshwar. The drive up to the town winds past red roofed hamlets and a patchwork quilt of neatly laid out fields and orchards. As the road meanders uphill, the vegetation becomes greener and denser, the tree canopy widens and bird sounds are magnified. And then finally, you arrive at a neat, colonial-style town, with a birds” eye view of emerald green coastal plains on one side and the River Krishna on the other. The fresh breeze is just one of the several ingredients that make Panchgani laid-back and relaxing. A genteel hill resort, Panchgani doesn’t really pander to commercial tastes, as does Mahabaleshwar. In Panchgani, holiday pastimes include walking, riding or simply unwinding at home in the cool of the veranda or drinking tea on the lawns.
Historically Speaking
Panchgani is the archetypal British-in-India hill station, with imposing old bungalows and public buildings with the Raj stamped all over. In fact, Sir John Chason founded Panchgani in 1854 as a sanatorium town and to rest and recuperate away from the heat and dust of the Indian plains. Today, the little town is better known for its English style boarding schools and old Parsi houses that look out on to the forested tracts.
SOME FACINATING INFORMATION:
Mahabaleshwar was established as a health resort in 1829 AD.
It was a jail for chinese & malay convicts from 1834 to 1864. The capacity of the jail was 120 prisoners. These prisoners introduced cultivation of red potatoes, strawberries & waeving of cane & bamboo baskets. Many of the prisoners stayed at Mahabaleshwar after they were released
Short History
Maharaja Pratapsinha of Satara (1818 to 1839) engineered a scheme to develop M’war as a health resort. sir John Malcolum, the first governer to visit Mahabaleshwar in 1828, established M’war in 1829. Sir Charles Malet, the first resident in Pune darbar of the Peshwas in 1791 happens to be the first european to step on this plateau.
Novelties of Mahabaleshwar
An evergreen vast plateau with long beautiful roads, horse rides & foot paths along forest. Honey & chikki, channas, waling sticks. Fruits like strawberries, raspberries , goose berries & muberries. Vegetables like red potatoes, french beans, beets, salad, carrots, raddishes. Boating in Venna lake.
Recreations
Sir B. D. Petit library. Hindu Gynkhana. The Mahableshwar Club. Parsi Gymkhana. Horse Riding. Photography. Walking. Boating in Venna lake. Bird watching. Study of Botony.