Mahabaleshwar is a Hill Station which is situated in the western Ghats in the Satara district of Maharashtra. Well, the hill station is known for various things, the rivers, water cascades, the majestic mountains peaks, it is the best place to spend time during the weekend gateways from Pune.
Mahabaleshwar is also a holy pilgrimage spot for Hindus as the Krishna River originates from here. You know, Mahabaleshwar was once a summer capital of the British, the hill station of Mahabaleshwar consists of various ancient temples, hills, boarding schools, waterfalls, manicured and lush green dense forests, and valleys. It is commonly used as a base to visit the magnificent Pratapgad Fort. The hill station has several amazing things to visit during the journey, let’s explore the famous spots.
Mahabaleshwar Temple- Mahabaleshwar temple is Lord Shiva’s ancient temple which is located 6 kilometers from Mahabaleshwar in the Satara district of Maharashtra. This Hindu temple is a landmark of the opulent Maratha heritage, the temple was constructed during the rule of the Chanda Rao More dynasty in the 16th century. The temple was built in the South Indian Hemadanta style of architecture and is among the holiest Shiva temples in the country and also known as Dakshin Kashi. The sanctum sanctorum houses the 1500 years old self-built 6 feet high Aatma Lingam and the Para Lingam.
Timings are-5 am – 12 noon, 4 pm – 9 pm (every day)
Mahabaleshwar Hill station– the hill station is full of panoramic views, the perennial waterfalls, and picturesque landscapes, Mahabaleshwar stands out as the largest and most popular hill station in the Western Ghats. There are numerous things to do in Mahabaleshwar including you can see the spectacular sunrise and sunset viewpoints, boating, and many more. Additionally, tourists can visit the centuries-old Pratapgad Fort and learn about its history.
Krishnabai Temple– one of the top places to visit in Mahabaleshwar is Krishnabai Temple. The temple is located at the hilltop which offers some stunning views of the surroundings. The temple is situated in the heart of the Krishna Valley. Krishnabai Temple was built in the 19th century and is dedicated to the Goddess, there is a stone spout that has the cow’s shape. This face is apparently the source of water that is collected in a tank. It is said that the stone spout is the source of the Krishna River.
The timings to visit the temple are- 6 am to 8 pm, every day
Shri Panchganga Temple– the temple is situated at the confluence of five rivers named Krishna, Savitri, Gayatri, Veena, and Koyna, hence the name is Panch Ganga. This temple represents beautiful and ancient glory through its architecture and was built by Singhandeo who was the Yadava King during the 13th century. There is a stone water spout called the Gaumukhi and it is said that the five rivers originated from this point. The stone water spout opening timings are- 5 AM-12 PM and 4 AM-9 PM.
Pratapgarh Fort- when it is about to enlist the places, Pratapgad Fort is number three. The amazing fort is highly rich in historical significance as the fort is placed strategically on a hilltop, the fort was originally built by Maratha rulers in the year 1665. It is one of the best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar is in the monsoon season. The key attractions of this fort are the Mahadev temple in the upper fort, the Goddess Bhavani temple in the lower fort, and the holy dargah of Afzal Khan. The timings are 10 am to 6 pm, every day.
Arthur’s Seat– this point is located at 1470 meters above sea level. It is the most famous viewpoint of Mahabaleshwar, Arthur’s Sea which is also popular as the “Queen of Points”. It is originally called Madhi Mahal; the point offers majestic views of the Savitri River along with the dense forests of Bramha Aranya. Hence, the viewpoint is named after Arthur Malet, who used to look at the Savitri River for hours and mourn the loss of his beloved wife and daughter. They had drowned in the river and hence the point is also called Suicide Point. You can also marvel at the anti-gravitational phenomenon of the seat. The high air pressure keeps light objects thrown into the valley afloat and even sends them back upwards defying the rule of gravity.
Venna Lake- the Lake is the most popular lake among the tourist places in Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides and offers a boat-riding option. It is also open till late in the evening so that you can enjoy the breathtaking lush greenery during the day. This lake is among the best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar with loved ones. Here at this lake, there are some of the major top attractions, that is Fishing for adults and mini-train rides for kids. The opening timings are- 7 am to 7 pm, every day.
Elephant’s Head Point– Elephant’s Head point, as the name says, is a piece of the mountain that mysteriously resembles the shape of an elephant’s head. It is also popular as the needlepoint and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Mahabaleshwar for loved ones. Among all the Mahabaleshwar tourist places, this one is the most recommended one. The major key attractions are, the spectacular view of the Sahyadri Range is mesmerizing. Also, the echo point is quite a popular spot among tourists and fun-seekers.
Also visit: Must Should know the facts and History of Ellora Caves
The post Top and Best Tourist Attractions in Mahabaleshwar appeared first on Hyd7am.com.
