|
Maharashtra has yet another facet – it is full
of wonderful holiday spots, perfect for quiet lazing or for more
strenuous adventure or even for some spiritual salvation.
Maharashtra is not just
about Ajanta and Ellora with their magnificent art treasures. Neither
do the charms of Maharashtra reside solely in its many small and
large towns like Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Aurangabad. Hill
resorts, wildlife parks and temple towns dot this state, one of the
largest in India both in terms of area and population. So if you want
to experience something great or just let your hair down, head for
Maharashtra.
OFF TO THE HILLS
Matheran
The nearest hill station
from Bombay, Matheran means jungle topped a name aptly derived from
the hills clothed with the verdant green of a thousand trees. At an
altitude of 700 to 800 metres, much of Matheran’s cool clime is
due to the abundance of trees. Getting to Matheran is great fun –
you get to ride the toy train from Neral, a two hour journey up the
12 km route. The views are wonderful as the train moves along the
turns of the hill track and food and drink vendors are aplenty all
along the journey. There is major excitement as the train passes
through a tunnel called the “one kiss tunnel”. And soon,
the train gets you to your destination.
Matheran was a popular
hill station during the Raj period – Hugh Malet, the Collector
of Thane discovered it in 1850. He was camping in t he nearby village
of chowk and had gone for his morning walk when he chanced upon
Matheran. He then had paths cleared to the summit and several other
ventage points and had a footpath constructed from the village Chowk
to the summit on a government grant of five hundred rupees.
Matheran is excellent for
trekking – the trekking route spreads over 11 km. Walking tracks
lead to most vantage points such as Monkey, Porcupine or Hart from
where one can see the lights of Bombay on a clear night. If you are
keen to watch sunsets then Porcupine and Panorama Point both on the
northern side, have the finest views. The western side from Porcupine
to Lousia Point is known as Cathedral Rocks from where Neral can be
clearly seen. To the south is the trail called Shivaji Ladder, so
called because the Maratha leader is said to have used it. In
Matheran, you can definitely avoid the noise and pollution of motor
vehicles for the only form of transport allowed in the town are
rickshaws pulled by three people at a time. When in Matheran be sure
to try the honey and chikki (peanut brittle) available there –
they are the specialities of the place. For shopping, Matheran has
some exciting bargains in cane and leather.
Khandala
A very popular hill
resort just a few hours away from Bombay, it is just a station before
Lonavla and is a convenient point to take off for the Karla caves.
Khandala offers some excellent views of the Ghat range and with its
refreshing cool breeze, it provides relief from the stifling heat of
the plains. The waterfall here is magnificent, dividing itself into
two characters during the monsoon with the upper fall revealing a
sheer drop of over three hundred feet.
Lonavla
A charming hill resort,
three hours away from Bombay and one hour away from Pune, Lonavla
makes for a perfect weekend gateway – not too far from
civilization and yet far away from the madding crowd. Amble along the
Lonavla Lake, the Bhushi Dam and visit the evocatively named Tiger’s
Leap and Barometer Hill. Lonavla is well connected by road and rail
to Bombay and to nearby tourist spots like Khandala and the Karla and
Bhaja caves. Be sure to try out the famous Lonavla chikki.
Mahabaleshwar
A very popular hill
station, Mahabaleshwar is the highest resort in the Ghat region at
nearly 1372 metres. The old village of Mahabaleshwar was considered a
holy site and in 1215, the Yadav King Singhan built a temple here
dedicated to Lord Mahadev. Mahabaleshwar is considered to be derived
from the words in praise of Mahadev – Maha Bala Ishwar or
the God of Great Power.
Mahabaleshwar is
interesting both for its connections with Shivaji, the great Maratha
and later, with the British. The Pratapgarh fort, 24 kilometres away
from the hill station is the site of one of Shivaji’s daring
feats. It was here that Shivaji met with General Afzal Khan. Neither
were supposed to carry any arms but Afzal Khan took out a dagger and
stabbed Shivaji who was wearing an armour under his robe and had
concealed a set of tiger claws in his left hand. Shivaji then drove
the claws into Khan and disemboweled him.
During the Raj,
Mahabaleshwar was the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency. The
hill station was founded in 1828 by Sir John Malcolm. However, the
first Englishman to have visited the region is said to be Major
Lodwick in 1824 who was so impressed with the beauty and climate of
Mahabaleshwar that he campaigned vigorously for it to be a hill
station. In 1828 the Governor of Bombay visited Mahabaleshwar and was
so impressed that he signed a treaty with the Raja of Satara giving
him title to the village of Khandala in exchange for Mahabaleshwar.
In honour of the Governor the new station was called Malcolm Peth but
the Governor retained the old name as an honour to the Rajah who had
by then become a good friend. Today, only the bazaar is called
Malcolm Peth.
Like most other hill
stations Mahabaleshwar offers many wonderful walks and views. Go to
Elephantine Point, Babington Point, Bombay Point and Kate’s
Point for fine scenic views or visit the charming waterfalls like
the Chinaman’s Waterfall, the Dhobi Waterfall or the Lingmala
Waterfalls. In the old Mahabaleshwar village visit the Krishnabai or
Panchganga (Five Streams) Temple which is said to contain five
streams including the River Krishna.
Panchgani
Another popular hill
station just 19 kilometres away from Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani was
founded in 1850 by Mr. John Chesson a retired Warrant Officer of the
East India Company who wanted to find a place suitable for a
permanent European settlement. The heavy monsoon downpour at
Mahabaleshwar made it quite uninhabitable during the rains. Panchgani
with its much drier clime was therefore deal. The name Panchagani is
said to be derived from the cluster of five hamlets Chesson initially
found here. In 1863, Sir Bartle Frere, the Governor of Bombay
recognized Panchgani as a hill sanatorium and rewarded Chesson for
his efforts by making him the first Superintendant and magistrate of
Panchgani.
At an altitude of 1333
metres, Panchgani is often called the mecca of Maharashtra in tourist
brochures. There are many boarding schools here. On the way to the
Panchgani Caves is Wai with its famous Ganesh temple.
Panhala
An interesting hill
station off the beaten track, Panhala houses a fort with an
intriguing history. It was originally the stronghold of Raja Bhoj II
in 1192 and also figures in another interesting exploit of Shivaji –
his valiant escape from the forces of Siddhi Johar. Panhala has many
interesting ancient temples for the religious minded – the
Sambhaji temple, the Someshwar temple and the blue basalt temples on
the sacred Jyotiba hill.
Toranmal
A truly offbeat gateway
is Toranmal in Dhule District. Tucked away in the Satpura mountains
at an altitude of 1461 metres, Toranmal is an ideal spot to soothe
frayed nerves. Far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, it
is possible to relax here. And if you are in the mood to explore, you
could visit the Seetha Kali temple or the many old temples in the
area or perhaps walk along the Yashwant Lake.
THE WILDLIFE TRAIL
For wildlife enthusiasts,
Maharashtra offers many exciting avenues to pursue their interests.
Chikhaldara
Chikhaldara in Amravati
district offers the happy combination of a wildlife resort with a
hill station. Situated in the Vidarbha region, this picturesque his
station teems with an abundance of wildlife. View the magnificent
tiger at the Dhakana-Kolkaz National Park where the Melghat Tiger
Project is based.
Dajipur
The Dajipur Bison
Sanctuary is situated on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg
district. The Jungle Resort is a scenic spot near the backwaters of
the Radhanagari dam. It is surrounded by hilly areas and thick
forests abundant in wildlife. You can spot bison, wild deer, chital,
gawa etc., here.
Malshej Ghat
If you want to see
flamingoes at their best take a trip to Malshej Ghat, their home
during the monsoon. Nature has been generous in bestowing her charms
here and Malshej Ghat is a dream come true for trekkers and adventure
lovers. Malshej Ghat also has a strong link with history – 40
kilometres away is shivneri, the birthplace of the legendary Shivaji.
This hill also has Buddhist caves dating back to the 3rd
century.
Nawegaon Bandh
The most popular wildlife
resort in the Vidarbha region, Nawegaon is teeming with bird and
animal life. Founded by Kolu Patel Kohli in the beginning of the 18th
century, Nawegaon centers around a picturesque lake set amidst hill
ranges. Nearly a third of bird species found in Maharashtra have been
recorded here at the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. For eager
bird-watchers, the ample number of watch towers built in the forest
should provide an ideal opportunity to see these feathered creatures
from close. For children there is a special children’s park and
three beautiful gardens to play in. To experience the jungle in all
its glory, spend some time in the unique tree-top retreat.
Lonar
One of the world’s
five larges craters formed by meteorites, Lonar is around 30,000 to
40,000 years old. The saline lake contained within the crater is
where hundreds of birds gather – the resident pea fowls who have
made the crater their home and many migratory birds. One can also
spot monitor lizards and langurs and if your luck is in, the
chinkaras and gazelles.
TEMPLE TOURS
Mahurgad
A famous pilgrimage site,
Mahurgad is the birthplace of Lord Dattatray and has many exquisite
temples like the Anusaya temple, the Kalika temple and of course the
temple of Renuka Devi. Thousands of people visit the town especially
in October when a special fair is held here on Vijaya Dashami.
Shegaon
A small town in Buldhana
district, Shegaon is famous for the samadhi of Shri Gajanan Maharaj,
a mystic saint. He has a large following and his devotees come in
large numbers to pay their respects at the samadhi, especially on
Thursday which is regarded as a special day. He is considered to be
as popular as the Saibaba of Shirdi. The temple of Shri Ram in the
same premises is worth a visit. During Ram Navami and Rushi Panchami,
magnificent fairs are held here.
Titwala
A temple town literally,
Titwala is renowned for its Mahaganesh temple, the temple to Shri
Vithoba and the ancient Ambarnath temple dating back to the 11th
century. A sacred spot indeed!
Trimbakeshwar
Considered to be one of
the five Jyotirlingas in Maharashtra, Trimbakeshwar is a well known
religious town. In February-March a large fair is held on
Mahashivratri day and every twelve years, there is the grand Sinhasta
fair, second only to the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. The surroundings of
the town resonate with religious names – the Brahmagiri Hill,
Neel Parvat, Kushwart Teerth and Gangadwar.
HOW TO GET THERE
Matheran
By Air: The nearest
airport is Bombay (100 kilometres)
By Rail:
Bombay-Neral-Matheran is 108 km, Neral-Matheran by toy train
By Road: Bombay –
Beral 90 km, Neral-Matheran 21 kilometres Pune-nearly 120 kilometres.
LONAVLA
By Air: The nearest
airport is Pune (66 kilometres)
By Rail: Lonavla is on
the Bombay-Pune line and there are many trains
By Road: Lonavla is on
the Bombay-Pune highway, 104 kilometres from Bombay and 66 kilometres
from Pune
Mahabaleshwar
By Air: Nearest airport
is Pune 120 kilometres
By Rail: Nearest railhead
is Wathar but Pune is a convenient railhead
By Road: Bombay-
Mahabaleshwar via Pune 290 kilometres, Bombay – Mahabaleshwar
via Mahad 247 kilometres.
Panchgani
By Air: Nearest airport
is Pune 98 kilometres
By Rail: Nearest Railhead
is Wather 45 kilometres on Miraj-Kolhapur section of South Central
Railway.
By Road: Bombay-Panchgani
via Pune 295 kilometres. Bombay – Panchgani via Mahad 266
kilometres.
Panhala
By Air: Nearest airport
is Belgaum 123 Kilometres
By Rail: Nearest railhead
is Kolhapur 18 kilometres on South Central Railway.
By Road: Bombay-Panhala
428 kilometres via Kolhapur.
Kolhapur-Panhala 18
kilometres.
Toranmal
By Air: The nearest
airport is Nashik
By Rail: The closest
railhead is Nandurbar 76 kilometres on the Surat-Bhusawal line of
western Railways. Another convenient railhead is Dhule 128 kilometres
away.
By Road: Bombay –
Toranmal via Dhule. State Transport buses ply from Dhule, Nandurbar
and Shahada to Toranmal.
The Wildlife Trail
Chikhaldara
By Air: The nearest
airport is Akola 150 kilometres away
By Rail: The nearest
railhead is Badnera.
By Road: Bombay
Chikhaldara is 763 kilometres, Nagpur- chikhaldara is 230 kilometres
and Amravati-Chikhaldara is 100 kilometres. State Transport buses ply
from Nagpur and Amravati to Chikhaldara.
Dajipur
By Air: Nearest airport
is Kolhapur 80 kilometres
By Rail: Nearest railhead
is also Kolhapur on South Central Railway
By Road: Bombay-Dajipur
490 kilometres, Kolhapur-Dajipur 80 kilometres.
Malshej Ghat
By Air: Nearest airport
is Bombay (154 kms)
By Rail: The nearest
railhead is Kalyan
By Road: Bombay-Malshej
Ghat is 39 kilometres.
Nawegaon Bandh
By Air: The nearest
airport is Nagpur 142 kilometres away
By Rail: The nearest
railhead is Devalgaon, 1 km away on the South Eastern Railway
By Road: Bombay-Nawegaon
is 995 kilometres, Nagpur-Nawegaon is 132 kilometres. State Transport
buses ply from Bhandara, Nagpur and Devalgaon to Nawegaon.
Lonar
By Air: The nearest
airport is Aurangabad, 122 kilometres away
By Rail: The nearest
railhead is Malkapur on the Bombay – Bhusawal line
By Road:
Bombay-Aurangabad – Jalna – Lonar is 600 kilometres.
Lonar – Buldhana is
95 kilometres.
Temple Tour Mahurgad
By Air: The nearest
airport is Nagpur 200 kilometres.
By Rail: The nearest
railhead is Kinwat (50 kilometres) but Nanded (126 kilometres) is the
convenient railhead on South Central Railway.
By Road: Bombay-Mahur 717
kilometres.
Shegaon
By Air: Nearest airport
is Nagpur 316 kilometres
By Rail: Bombay-Shegaon
600 kilometres (Bombay-Nashik-Dhule-Jalgaon-Khamgaon).
Nagpur-Shegaon 316
kilometres (Nagpur-Amaravati-Akola-Uraal-Gaigon-Shegaon).
Akola-Shegaon 45 kilometres. (Akola-Ural-Gaigon-Gaigon-Shegaon).
Titwala
By Air: Nearest airport
is Bombay 74 kilometres.
By Rail: Titwala is a
station on Central Railway but the convenient railhead is Kalyan.
By Road: Bombay –
Titwala 75 kilometres via kalyan. (Can be visited from Thane, Kalyan
and Bombay).
Trimbakheswar
By Air: Nearest airport
is Nashik 39 kilometres.
By Rail: Nearest railhead
is Nashik Road 44 kilometres on the Central Railway.
By Road: Bombay –
Trimbakeshwar 180 kilometres. Nashik – Trimbakeswar 28
kilometres.
| 