Distances: Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar via Mahad is 220 kms Mumbai to Pune is 180 kms & further Pune to Mahabaleshwar is 120 kms. Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar is20 kms.
Area: Vast green plateau of about 150 sq. kms.
Height: 4500 feet above sea level.
Climate: Never too hot because of the heights. Never too cold bacause of the nearness to the arabian sea. Duration of higher temperature is short.
Seasons: October, Diwali & X'mas holidays & summer. Hotels are open round the year even during the rainy seasons.
The jungle of Mahabaleshwar is thick & produces many commercial as well as medicinal trees & plants. The wild life is limited to foxes, jackals, & wild boars. Deers & bisons are found in the brahma aranya area. Panthers are rare. The famous bird in the urdu poetry, Bulbul is found everywhere in the plateau. The weather of Mahabaleshwar & healthy & contains an ideal of 20% oxygen which is often agumented in foggy weather of late summers & early monsoon, when the pleateau is covered by thick mist. The water contains a meager percentage of iron which helps to increase hemoglobin in the blood.
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.
Short Note on Old or Kshetra Mahabaleshwar
Panchaganga Mandir
As per the hindu mythology five holy rivers krishna, venna, koyna, Savitri & gayatri show their token appearance here in five springs flowing closely. They are seen flowing in five stone conduits & joining in one horizontal half channel leading to the Goumukhi cowface spout. Though the Gaomukh it falls in the cistern below. On the northen side there is a similar conduit through which the holy 'ganga' appears every twelve years. From the conduit on the southern side flows the holy saraswati when the following astrological times come together, namely, Bhadrapad month, shasthi (6th day) ,Tuesday sun in hasta nakshatra, Rohini nakshatra in predominance & Vyatipat. This miraculous yoga (coincidence) is known as the "Kapila Shasthi Yoga", which is believed to be very auspicious occassion as per the Hindu faith.
Shri Shankar Mandir
The Mahalinga of the lord Shiva is of Rudraksha shape & believed to be 'self-bodied' (swayambhoo) It is called Trigunatmaka meaning Brahma-Visnhu-Mahesh are on it for ever. On the head of the mahalinga you see the marks of the five holy rivers (Panchaganga) & their waters never loose their level. Mother Jeejabai was weighed by gold by Raje Shivaji in this temple & then the gold was distributed in charity. This Mahalinga is considered to be superior to the twelve jyotirlingas.
Shri Krishnabai Mandir
This is also an old temple. The carving in the stones of the columns & the ceiling is attractive. You can also see the grand view of krishna valley from the temple.
GENERAL FACILITIES
Banking
1. State bank of India Tel: 260297
2. Bank of Maharashtra Tel: 260290
3. Union Bank of India Tel: 260413
Law & Order
1. Tahsildar & Taluka Majistrate. Tel: 260229
2. Police Station Tel: 260333 / 260217
Other Important Offices
1. Muncipal office Tel: 260220
2. Panchayat Samiti Tel: 260249 / 260284
3. Water supply Tel: 260315
4. MSEB Tel: 260292
5. Holiday Camp Tel: 260318
6. Tourist Bureau Tel: 260271
7. Forest Office Tel: 260281
8. Post Office Tel: 260231
Places of Worship
1. In the bazar area six hindu temples of lord Rama, Shiva, Hanuman, Datta.
2. Three masjids
3. One RC church
4. Two Protestant Churches.
5. Shri Saibaba Mandir in the compound of Anand Bunglow or The Executive Inn hotel.
Gardens
Makharia Garden . Pratap Sinha park.
Medical Aid
1. Dr. P. B. Thoke Tel: 260330
2. Dr. M. M. Raddi Tel: 260298
3. Dr. R. B. Dabhade Tel: 260298
4. Health Officer Tel: 260247
