. I had always wanted to visit this place, so I decided to go there with my friends for a one-day trip from Wakad, Pune.
We started our journey early in the morning, around 6 am, and drove on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. We reached the Khalapur exit in about an hour and then followed the signs to Mahabaleshwar. The drive was pleasant and green, with hills and valleys on both sides of the road.
We reached Mahabaleshwar around 9 am and had a delicious breakfast at a roadside restaurant. We then headed to our first destination, the Elephant’s Head Point. This is one of the most picturesque viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar, which offers a stunning view of the Sahyadri ranges. The point is named so because it resembles the shape of an elephant’s head and trunk. We took some amazing photos there and enjoyed the cool breeze.
Next, we went to see the Chinaman’s Falls, one of the most important waterfalls in Mahabaleshwar. The waterfall is named after the Chinese prisoners who used to cultivate the fields near it during the British rule. The waterfall is about 500 feet high and cascades down into a deep valley. We were mesmerized by the sight and sound of the falling water.
We then visited the Mahabaleshwar Temple, a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is built in a Hemadpanti style of architecture and has a Shivalinga that is believed to be self-originated. The temple is also known as the Mahabali Temple, as it is said that Lord Shiva defeated a demon named Mahabali here. We offered our prayers and felt a sense of peace and calmness.
After visiting the temple, we were hungry and decided to have lunch at Mapro Garden, a popular tourist spot that has a restaurant, a chocolate factory, and a strawberry farm. We had some mouth-watering dishes made with fresh strawberries, such as strawberry cream, strawberry ice cream, strawberry pizza, and strawberry sandwich. We also bought some chocolates and jams from the factory and some fresh strawberries from the farm.
We then proceeded to our last destination, the Venna Lake. This is a man-made lake that was constructed by Shri Appasaheb Maharaj in 1842. The lake offers rowboats and paddle boats for visitors to enjoy the water. There are also horse riding and other rides for children around the lake. We had a lot of fun boating on the lake and admiring the surrounding scenery.
We ended our day at Mahabaleshwar with some shopping at the local market. We bought some souvenirs, handicrafts, honey, leather goods, and woolen clothes from there. We also had some snacks and tea at a nearby stall.
We left Mahabaleshwar around 6 pm and drove back to Wakad. We reached our home around 9 pm, feeling happy and satisfied with our trip. We had a fun-filled day in Mahabaleshwar and made some unforgettable memories there.
Some tips for visiting Mahabaleshwar:
- Carry warm clothes as it can get cold in the evening.
- Carry an umbrella or a raincoat as it can rain anytime.
- Carry cash as some places may not accept cards or digital payments.
- Book your tickets in advance if you want to visit during peak season or weekends.
- Enjoy yourself and have fun!
