Its my fourth visit in a row here at the same place... I think I am so much awastruck by the serenity of this place since I visited here in Feb 2015 that I cant stop myself coming here atleast once in a year..
Tempreture varies here from 8 Deg. to 22 deg. Cel. during this time of the year. Known for strawbwrries, this place actually preffered by many friends due to its close proximity to Mumbai and Pune throughout the year. I have chosen the same Wai - Panchgani route this time too.It was a 6 hour drive from Mumbai may be because we were little slow due to traffic chaos along the way between Wai and Panchgani.
A beautiful view of Sahyadri Mountains on the drive and the stark Sun were playing tricks with my phone cam finding it difficult to capture the half tonned hills and hemlet at the foothills. I was missing my trip last year to Musoorie and Landore last year while passing through the tiny by lanes of Panchgani. I could expirience the samilar characters of town in many ways because of its historical and geographical background. Yes..it's a british colonial town too.. but the the character among people have no traces of Britishers unlike the people from Musoorie and Landore, I think, mighty Britishers may have been kind to the people from this region.
Jokes apart.. thanks to the authorities and the owners of buildings here that they have tried to preserve the character of town inpite of being close to the megapolise which is dominated by characters who belive strongly in chopping out 100 year old tree to make buildings/ infratruture happen... come what may. If their idea take shape no wonder they lift you from Mumbai and drop at the mountains top of mahabaleshwar in 15 min flat " bullet train hai na".
going to the backround of Mahabaleshwar town and the region there are many traces which various dynysties and British Raj have left behind.
Mahabaleshwar... A Place in The History
The Panchganga Temple
The Panchganga Temple has a paramount spiritual significance. It holds a very prominent position, being based on the merging point of the five rivers, Krishna, Veena, Savitri, Koyna and Gayatri. Innumerable devotes visit the temple throughout the year. The Panch Ganga Temple is blessed with a wonderfully carved gaumukhi, from where the five rivers flow. It was constructed by Raja Singha Deo who was the ruler of the Yadavs of Devagiri.
The Krishnabai Temple
The Krishnabai Temple is an age old temple of Lord Krishna. It is situated on a hill, overlooking the valley in Mahabaleshwar. The mesmerising landscape here attracts several tourist. The Shivalingam and a beautiful statue of goddess Krishna is the main attraction of the temple. The architecture of the temple is very old and is in ruins, as the Krishnabai temple is believed to be from the Pandav Era.
The Mahabaleshwar Temple
This is one the Temple I love to visit every time I come here. The Mahabaleshwar Temple that is located 6 km to the north of the main city is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is one of the significant pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. It was built in the 16th century and it portrays a typical South Indian architectural style. The temple is very beautifully built, it has stone walls and is divided into two parts, one being the sanctum sanctorum and the other is the central hall. I
Enclosed by a 5 ft high stone wall, this temple is divided into two areas, the sanctum sanctorum and the central hall.
The Mahabaleshwar temple also has several mythologies associated to it, like the legend states that the Maratha ruler, Shivaji weighed his mother Jijabai in gold in this temple and then gave away the gold in charity. This temple is also an abode to Lord Shiva’s trishul, Rudraksha, damru and a bed which are approximately 300 years old.
Pratapgad Fort
Pratapgarh Fort
Being built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Pratapgad Fort holds supreme historical importance. It is situated approximately 24 Km away from Mahabaleshwar. There is also a Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan's Tomb situated near the fort. Several significant events from the past have taken place at this Fort.
The fort oversees the coast of Konkan. It is said that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja was bestowed with a shining sword at the temple of Goddess Bhavani near the Pratapgad Fort. Another noteworthy incident that occurred here was the battle between Chatrapati Shivaji and Afzal Khan, the commander of the Bijapur Sultanate fought here...
There are many natural waterfalls and mountain peaks where tourists visit throughout the year.
As you crossover the hill town of Panchgni it leaves behind the foothills of Sahayadri mountains where sings The River Krishna and the gleam of setting Sun mesmerises you again..
Between the narrow lanes of Mahabaleshwar town our car was approching towards Le Meridien resorts and spa at the Satara-Medha-Mahabaleshwar road..
