Mahabaleshwar - Place for tasty Strawberry, good old temples n scenic views

Mahabaleshwar... I will remember this place for tasty Strawberry, good old temples and scenic views. 

Strawberry @ Mahabaleshwar

When to visit: 

I visited this place for a weekend in the second week of March but I would suggest not to visit this place during March and April because of the summer season. Good time to visit is from Oct to Feb. The strawberry season is between Jan to Feb.



How to Reach from Pune: 

There are buses from Swargate ST bus stand to Mahabaleshwar. Fare is approx 165rs per person for one way. You can also go by own vehicle and roads are good and you have to pay a toll of 90rs.



Where and what to shop: 

Mahabaleshwar is a very commercialized place. Mahabaleshwar has a small market near Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose chawk. You can buy various products like a strawberry crush, candy, Gulkand, etc from here.

Where to Eat:

(1) Bagicha Corner: This place is near Venna Lake. The place is ok like any other roadside fast-food place. We had mulberry with cream strawberry with a cream, mulberry with ice cream, strawberry with ice cream, cheese pizza, and strawberry ice cream. Perfect for mulberry, strawberry with ice cream. ice creams and pizza are not good. Very slow service.

(2) Mapro Garden.

Places to visit in Mahabaleshwar:

• Temples


• Mahabaleshwar temple - It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the important pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. The temple is situated in the Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, which is about 6 km north of the main city. Built-in the 16th century by the Chanda Rao More dynasty, this temple is quintessential of the Hemadant architectural style of South India.  Enclosed by a 5 ft high stone wall, this temple is divided into two areas, the sanctum, and the central hall. Swayambhu, which is the 500 years old self-originated lingam, is enshrined within the sanctum sanctorum. This self-originated lingam is in the shape of Rudraksha and is called Mahalingam, which is considered to be superior to the twelve Jyothir Lingams. Lord Shiva’s Trishul, Rudraksha, Damru and a bed which is around 300 years old, are kept inside this temple. Moreover, the temple also comprises a square-shaped raised platform. According to the legend, the Maratha ruler, Shivaji weighed his mother Jijabai in gold at this platform and then gave away the gold in charity.

• Krishna Devi Temple-  This temple is behind the Panchganga temple, there is a small trail that leads to Krishna bai temple where the Krishna river is worshiped. This is a good old temple of Lord Shiva with lots of Nag devta's statue. Shiva ling is on top of the Damaru shaped stone. It also has a beautiful statue of Krishna. A small stream of the river flowing from a cow-face (gomukh) falls on a 'Kunda' or water tank. Stone carved columns and ceilings are the special characteristics of this temple. This old temple has gathered moss and is in ruins. It is not visited much by tourists and is isolated. We can enjoy the mesmerizing view of nature from outside of this temple.

Krishna Devi Temple





• Panch Ganga Temple- This temple Is just 100 meters from the ancient famous Mahabaleshwar temple. It also a very old temple and said to be constructed before 4500 yrs ago. This is a great place where five rivers born in the mountain of Mahabaleshwar hence it is named Pancha Ganga (the literal meaning of Panch is five and Ganga is the name of Holy River) temple. The other two rivers are said to be visible once every 12 and 60 yrs. Five rivers Krishna, Venna, Savitri, Koyna, and Gayatri. The water of all the rivers flows throw the mouth of a cow that has been carved from stone. The temple houses a two-level pond where water from these 5 rivers accumulates through a lion mouthed hole. Great architecture. Photography is not allowed inside the temple. Overall nice and peaceful ambiance. This and nearby temples fall in forest area, the location and view of the valley, mountains, and lake are amazing from here and spots in the vicinity. Also, there are some strawberry farms in the near distance.

• Lodwick Point and Elephant's Head Point:  Lodwick Point area has 2 points; Lodwick Point and Elephant's Head Point. There is a small viewpoint in the parking area. The car park is free. A great point to have a city-wide view! You'll have to walk around 1.5 km to reach the point. The difficulty level is easy. The path itself is adventurous to give you a trek like feeling. You can have some amazing photos along the route and even more amazing pics reaching the point. Try fresh treats the local vendors offer. This is a hill having Elephant head shape. We enjoyed the beautiful sunset from this place.

Sunset @ Elephant Point

• Sunset point

• 3 Monkey Hill - you can see some stones on top of a hill which seems like three monkeys.
• Echo point - I tried to Eco my wife’s name here but couldn't succeed in echoing the same.
• Hunting point
• Malcon point
• Tiger spring

• Aurther seat - very eye-soothing view of hills, valley, and sky. We had mouth-watering Strawberries here.

View from Aurtur's Seat

• Venna Lake:

Nearby place - Wai:

During our return journey, we also visited few places in Wai

• Ganesh temple. 



Menavali Ghat @ Wai (Swadesh Movie Location)

• Menavali Ghat - we went to Menavali Ghat, the place which contains – as people would like to say – the temple appearing in Shah Rukh Khan’s Swades. This was the place in which the movie referred to as Charanpur. This place is not clean. Of course, they must have spent a lot of time cleaning up the temple’s surroundings to make it look so good. where This place is featured in many other Bollywood movies like Swadesh, jis desh mein ganga rehta hai, bol Bachchan, etc. Temple is not maintained. I would not suggest visiting.

We couldn't visit Panchgani because of less time. Mahad Ganpati is also a nearby place. Maybe next trip :)

Special thanks to my wife Pratibha for capturing the lovely Pictures.