A visit to Mahabalaleshwar, Maharasthra

Mahabalaleshwar is the highest hill resort in the Western Ghats. It has many sites offering breathtaking views. Prominent among them are Veena Lake, Lingmala Waterfalls, Kates Point, Connought Peak, Old Mahableshwar, Marjorie Point, Arthur Seat, Hunter Point, Dhobi Waterfalls, Lodwick Point, Elephant’s Head, Bombay Point, Chainman Waterfalls, Babbington Point, Helens Point and Wilson Point.

On the 16^th November, 2019 I had decided to visit Mahableshwar which I have not visited for several years. If not mistaken my first visit was in th.e year 1979, for my honeymoon, to be specific on the 6^th May 1997. Immediately I called up Hotel Mayfair and booked a room for self from 19^th to 21^st (2 nights) with a plan of cheking out on 21^st morning.  Accordingly I had booked my bus ticket on 19^th going and 21^st return.My main objective was to visit the famous Siva temple and see the hotel where I stayed during my honeymoon. 

Day 1: (19th November) The pickup point for my bus was at Malad East, Alka Travels. As usual the bus was late by 30 mts. Finally it picked me up around 6 am.  Neeta  bus company has hotel everywhere and this was at Lonavala. Around 9 am we reached Neeta Hotel at Lonaval.  After breakfast around 9.30 am we left. Finally the bus arrived at Mahbleshwar bus erminus (again the drop  point was Neeta  Hotel) around 2 p.m. Since the hotel was away from the drop point I chehecked up with few taxis drivers to drop me at the hotel. All of them refused as they were looking for a long distance drop.  When I came out I saw one gentleman standing next a two wheeler.  When he saw me coming from the terminus, he straight asked me  “which hotel”. I said Mayfair. He said “I will drop you for Rs.60/- instead of Rs.100 for a taxi”. I was happy and got in the two wheeler and he dropped me in 10 minutes time.

Though situated only a few minutes’ walk from the main market of the hill town, Hotel Mayfair is a quiet place. You may laze about within the confines of its tastefully done – up rooms or stroll under the cool shade of its trees. You may set out with ease to see any of the scenic spots of this pretty hill station or simply go on long refreshing walks.

Contact details: Hotel Mayfair, Dr. L.C. D'souza Road, Aram Center, Mahabalaleshwar.

Phone No.02168 260366.

Mr. Singh, the Manager was waiting for me.  I checked in around 2.30 pm and he allotted a key of Room No. 501. After dropping my bag, I straight went for lunch.  Lunch was pretty good and no complaints. They served hot chapattis, samosa, dal, curries, rice, pappads and salad which was  part of the deal.  Deal in the hotel was Rs. 3500/ per night inclusive of all taxes, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  After lunch I went back to my room and slept till 4.30 pm.  

 Around 5 pm got out of the hotel and walked towards the main market which is less than one km. From the hotel. Before leaving the hotel I had decided to visit few places on the market road.. (1) Sangam Hotel where I stayed during my honeymoon (2) Aram restaurant (3) Imperial Hotel and (4) the famous Elisies Dairy & Baikery where we used to go and sit in the evenings.

During the year 1979 Sangam Hotel was very small with a shop in the ground floor, where the family of the owner stayed.    It was a small hotel with five rooms on the first floor.  Then we used to eah at Aram Restuarant (a veg joint). Thail used to be very good. Evenings were spent at Imperial and the bakery.

After visiting all these places I walked the other end (bus stand) of the road. Lot of changes had happened to the market road mainly it was very crowded and more new shops etc.

Around 7pm  returned to the hotel and clicking few photos and around 8 pm they served the dinner. After watching the TV, I hit the bed around 9.30 pm.

Day 2;   (20th November) As usual got up at 5 am, thought to go for a walk. Due to sever cold, I dropped the idea.  Did pranayama and meditation for one hour.  Around 7 am I went to the restaurant and picked up a cup of tea. Since the breakfast was getting late, I walked down to market road (aram restaurant) and had hot poha and a cup of tea and returned to my room around 8.30 am.  Immediately I booked a taxi to take me to Pancha Ganga, Mahableshwar Siva and Ganesha temples which are very old temples in Mahabuleshwar.

When I was returning after breakfast from Market Road, I saw the road which is leading to my hotel is getting suddenly crowded. On enquiry I was told that they set up a market in the road on every Tuesdays. Hence the hotel people said please leave the place before 9.30 am otherwise no vehicles can come through this road.  Hence I called for a taxi around 9 am to visit Pancha Ganga, Mahabuleshwar Siva and Ganesha temples which are very old in Mahabuleshwar.

Pancha Ganga temple

Constructed at the confluence of five rivers, Krishna, Venna, Savitri, Koyna and Gayatri, this temple is a site of major religious importance and is thronged by devotees all through the year. The temple has a beautifully carved gaumukhi, out of which the waters of the five rivers flow. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and has a lovely idol of him. The legend behind the temple is closely linked to Savitri's curse on the Trimurtis, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who flow here as Koyna, Krishna and Venna rivers.

It was constructed by Raja Singha Deo, the ruler of the Yadavs of Devgiri, in the 13th Century. In the 16th and 17th Centuries, Raja Chanda Rao More of Jaoli and the Maratha ruler Shivaji improved upon its structure on a large scale, to whom the temple owes much of its present grandeur.

Photography inside is not allowed but one can carry camera inside the temple.

Mode of transport : Local taxis. 

Mahabuleshwar  Siva temple

Located at a distance of 6 km from the city of Mahabaleshwar; Mahabaleshwar temple is an ancient shrine and an ideal example of the Maratha heritage. Popularly known as the Mahabali, the temple is flocked by tourists and devotees throughout the year to bask in the serenity and tranquillity offered here. The temple is extremely popular among the Hindus, as Lord Shiva is the presiding deity here. Set up amidst the hilly terrain, this picturesque temple glorifies the Maratha Empire and its rule during the 16th century.

This temple is  one of the ancient temples of Maharashtra. It was built by Chanda Rao More dynasty in the 16th century. The magnificent temple is guarded by a five feet wall and has two sections- the inner area and the outer area. The inner part, known as the sanctum sanctorum, has Shiva as the presiding deity. There are many belongings of Lord Shiva in the premises of this temple, like his bed, damru, Trishul, carvings of his sacred bull and Kalbhairav (his bodyguard); that aptly defines his presence here.

The main and central attraction of this temple is the 6 feet long Shiva lingam of which only the tip is visible, depicting the stone incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Mahabaleshwar Temple has a very serene and spiritual environment. Devotees visit the temple around the year to witness the calm and peaceful aura of Lord Shiva. The site has two more temples nearby, namely the Atibaleshwar temple and the Panchganga temple. Mahabaleshwar Temple is quintessential of the authentic Hemadant architectural style of South India.

Lingamala Waterfall

Went to see Linhgamala waterfall.  Unfortunately due to fogg, I could not see the water fall.  However, I saw a mini-waterfall on the way back.

I returned back to the hotel around 2 pm and had my lunch.  

Day 3:  (21st November) After breakfast checked out and took my return bus back to Mumbai at 9.30 am..  Reached in Mumbai around 5 p.m.

Overall it was an excellent trip. I treat this trip as a kick off trip for my 2019 travel .