Hill Stations of Maharashtra
Hill towns and resorts of Maharashtra are the only places in India where you can observe the fall of the land, all the way to the shimmering sea. This union of hills, plains and the sea is seldom seen elsewhere in India...
It is almost as if a divine hand runs through the geography of Maharashtra. from north to south, throughout its length, are the steeply rising Western Ghats. The foothills, sometimes approaching the seashore and sometimes withdrawing 40 or 50 km away, seem to be playing an eternal game with the Arabian Sea.
Some of the Hill stations are at an altitude of 2000 metres. These towns offer clean, calm and a thoroughly refreshing environment away from city life.
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar was the summer capital of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency. A popular town, with an air of unspoilt beauty, it meanders leisurely for 5 km at an altitude of 1372 m. You can while away the hours boating or fishing at the placid Venna Lake, or explore the walks on the 30 points that offer panoramic views of the valley and the sea.
The crystal waters of the numerous waterfalls are a delight to bathe in. The adventurous ones could trek down to Pratapgarh Fort, 24 km away, where Shivaji dramatically bested Mughal General Afzal Khan. You could just roam through the tiny lanes of the bazaar, shopping for everything from shoes to luscious strawberries, blackberries, jams and jellies.
Rail : Although Wathar is nearest but Pune is more preferable.
Motoring: Mumbai - Mahabaleshwar via Mahad, 247 km
Buses: State transport buses runs regularly between Pune-Mahabaleshwar and Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar.
Chikhaldara
This is the place where Bheema killed Keechaka in a fight and then threw him into the valley as per the Mahabharta. It thus came to be known as Keechakadara and Chikhaldara is the corrupted name. But there is more to Chikhaldara. The sole hill resort in the Vidarbha region, it is situated at an altitude of 1118 m and has the added dimension of being the only coffee- growing area in Maharashtra. It abounds in wildlife - panthers, sloth bears, sambars, wild bears and the rarely seen wild dogs. The famous Melghat Tiger Project is nearby , which has approx. 75-80 tigers.
Chikhaldara is full of scenic beauty and one can enjoy it from Prospect Point, Hurricane Point, and Devi Point. Other famous tourist attractions include Gavilgad and Narnala Fort, the Tribal Museum and the Semadoh Lake, the Pandit Nehru Botanical Gardens.
Rail : Badnera on the Central Railway branch line (110 km). Chikhaldara, 763 km from Mumbai, is connected to most major cities by road.
Surface : State transport buses available for Chikhaldara to Amravati, Nagpur, Wardha, Akola and other cities.
Amboli
Located in the southern ranges of the Sahyadri hills, Amboli, at an altitude of 690 metres, is the last mountain resort before the coastal highlands settle, with a sigh, to form flat beaches. Visit numerous viewpoints for a pleasant view of the lush hills and fertile plain. Seaview Point offers a rare view of golden Konkan coast. You can spend hours angling for fish at Hiranya Keshi or picnic at Nagatta Falls, Mahadev Gad and Narayan Gad. Another pleasant and different expedition is a visit to the bauxite mines, 10 km away. For a few days of isolation, Amboli is an ideal resort.
Taxis and rickshaws are available, though horseback and bicycles could add to the feeling of getting away from it all.
Nearest airport: Belgaum, 64 km
Nearest railhead: Sawantwadi, 28 km on Konkan Railways. Mumbai is 549 km by road. Pune is 390 km; State transport buses ply from Vengurla, Sawantwadi, Ratnagiri and Belgaum.
Jawahar
It is named the ‘Mahabaleshwar of Thane district’. In beauty and climate, it is no less. And there is so much to see at the majestic Dadara Kopra Falls, iai Vilas, the palace of the tribal kings, the Hanuman and Sunset points and the enthralling Shirpamal, where. Shivaji chose to camp on his way to Surat. Get an opportunity to expose and enlighten yourself with the tribal way of life especially with the Warli paintings.
Nearest airport: Mumbai.
Nearest railhead: lgatpuri is 61 km on Central Railway.
By road: The State transport buses runs from Mumbai, Nashik, and Thane to Jawahar.
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Bhandardara
A quiet, away-from-it-all, little holiday resort of Bhandardara, with lovely picnic spots and Arhur Lake set amidst scenic forests, affords many hours of entertainment. The streamlet that fills the lake, cascades down 45 metres as the Randha Falls. The Wilson Dam at a height of 1 50 metres is yet another lovely Overlooking Bhandardara is Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak in the state. Bhandardara is an ideal destination for adventure lovers. The Ratangad Fort, one of Shivajis favourite forts, is an interesting place.
Nearest airport: Mumbai
Nearest railhead: Igatpuri (45 km), Central Railway
Motoring: Mumbai-Bhandardara (185km), Pune-Bhandardara (191 km).
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Khindesy Talao
Set like a gem in the green expanse at the foot of the Ramtek Hill, is the beautiful lake Khindesy Taloa. A small but charming site, it is perfect for a quiet holiday. Places worth visiting are Ramtek and Kalidas Smarak.
Nearest airport: Nagpur (60 km)
Nearest ralihead: Ramtek, (8 km) on Nagpur-Ramtek section of South Eastern Railway
Motoring: Mumbai-Khindesy Talao (919 km), Nagpur-Khindesy Talao (60 km).
Khandala, Lonavala and Karla
Khandala and Lonavala are the most popular hill stations of Maharashtra. They are 5 km apart straddling the Mumbai-Pune highway at an altitude of approx. 625 metres. Very popular with Mumbaikars, they also alternate as getaways and health resorts. Khandala is the smaller one and more calmer of the two, although ambling through Lonavalas bazaar could yield some wonderful surprises. Both towns offer some spectacular scenic views of the surrounding hills; and in the monsoon, with a myriad waterfalls, the atmosphere is enchanting. Karla, about 12 km from Lonavala, is the site of the largest Chaitya Caves (shrines) in India, built in 80 BC. Amongst the best-preserved Budd hist temples in India, they represent the zenith, in terms of design purity, of this style of temple architecture. About 3 km from the main road is the more peaceful setting of the Bhaja Caves. Thought to date from around 200 BC, 10 of the 18 Caves here are Viharas (monasteries) while Cave 12 is an open Chaitya, which predates earlier than Karla.
Nearest airport: Pune (66 km)
Railhead: All trains from Mumbai to Pune and the South stop at Lonavala.
By Road: Mumbai is 104 km. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available in Lonavala and Khandala
Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat holds special value for hikers, trekkers and adventure lovers. Nature here is at its best. No wonder then that the most exotic, migratory flamingoes choose it as their monsoon abode. Close at hand is Shivneri Fort (approx 40 km), the birthplace of legendary Shivaji. The hill has Buddhist caves dating to the 3rd century.
Nearest airport: Mumbal (154 km)
Motoring: Mumbai-Malshej Ghat (154 km) via Murbad. Pune-Malshej Ghat via Alephata (1 64 km). Alephata-Malshej Ghat (39 km).
It is not easy to sum up the beauty of all the hill towns and resorts in Maharashtra in a few pages. The other equally beautiful hill station are Matheran, Panchgani, Panhala and Toranmal. Maharashtra hills are probably the only ones in India where you can observe the fall of the land all the way to the shimmering sea.
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