To know about the coolest places in Maharashtra During Summer, read the entire blog!
Maharashtra is now facing the full wrath of the hot and humid Indian summer, but the Western Ghats that dot the massive state is home to a few hill stations and beaches that can offer some respite from the heat. While the summer has already changed the color of the terrain from vivid shades of green to parched tones of brown and black, these little pockets hidden amongst the hills and beaches offer relatively coolest mornings and nights to provide some relief.
The height of these hill resorts also takes you away from the humidity of the plains, allowing you to breathe in some fresh, misty mountain air for a change. The steep Ghats rise and drop fast and twist and turn across the length of Maharashtra, and tucked away among them are these 7 coolest places in Maharashtra.
1. Matheran
Matheran is a hill station and a municipal council in Karjat Tahsil in the Raigad district, Maharashtra, India. Matheran is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Matheran is one of the smallest hill stations in India. It is located in the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above sea level. It is about 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune. Matheran’s proximity to many metropolitan cities makes it a weekend getaway for urban residents. Matheran, which means “forest on the forehead” (of the mountains) is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It is Asia’s only automobile free hill station.
There are altogether 40 points, two lakes, two parks, four major worship places, and a racecourse to visit in Matheran. It takes about 2–3 days by foot for a complete tour of all the points. Alternatively, if one manages to start early, one can rent a horse and complete all the points in a single day. Important points are Alexander Pt., Rambagh Pt, Little Chowk Pt, Big Chowk Pt, One Tree Hill Pt, Belvedere Pt, Olympia Race Course (established in 1892-93 by Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji),[14] Lords Pt, Charlotte Lake, Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir, Celia Pt (a waterfall mouth), Echo Pt, Porcupine Pt (Sun Set Pt), Panorama Point (Sun Rise Pt), Khandala Pt, Madhavji Garden & Point, Matheran Railway Station, Louisa Point, Mayra Point, Pisarnath Temple, Matheran Shiv Mandir
2. Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is a small town and a municipal council in Satara district, Maharashtra, India. It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus because the Krishna river has its origin here. The British colonial rulers developed the town as a hill station and served as the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj.
There are altogether points to visit in Mahableshwar are Old Mahabaleshwar, Krishnabai temple, Arthur point, Venna Lake, 3 Monkey Point, Kate’s Point, Needle Hole Point / Elephant Point, Wilson Point, Pratapgad, Lingmala Waterfalls
3. Panchgani
Panchgani called Paachgani(पाचगणी) is a hill station and municipal council in Satara district in Maharashtra, India. Panchgani attracts many tourists throughout the year. It is also renowned for many premier residential educational institutions. Panchgani is nestled in the middle of five hills in the Sahyadri mountain ranges.
There are altogether points to visit in Panchgani Table Land, Sydney Point, Parsi Point, Devil’s Kitchen, and Mapro Gardens.
4. Amboli
Amboli is a hill station in South Maharashtra, India. At an altitude of 690m (2,260 ft), it is the last hill station before the coastal highlands of Goa. Amboli lies in the Sahyadri Hills of Western India, one of the world’s “Eco Hot-Spots” and it abounds in unusual flora and fauna. However, as in the other parts of the Sahyadri Hills, denudation of the forest cover and unregulated government-assisted development are gradually ruining a once-pristine environment.
There are in total 8 places that are listed by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). Amboli Waterfall, Hiranyakeshi(Shiv Mandir and ancient cave), Kavalesat (Reverse waterfall point), Amboli Forest (Rich with flora and fauna), Ganesh Kond(waterway/river), and the entire area is full of greenery and beautiful sceneries.
5. Lonavala
Lonavala is a hill station town and a Municipal Council in the Pune district, Maharashtra, India. It is about 64 km (40 miles) west of Pune and 96 km (60 miles) to the east of Mumbai. It is known for its production of the hard candy chikki and is also a major stop on the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune. From the Pune suburbs, local trains are available from Pune Junction. Both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway as well as the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway pass through Lonavala.
The name Lonavala is derived from the words ‘leni’ which means caves and ‘avali‘ which means series. i.e. ‘a series of Caves’ which is a reference to the many caves like Karla Caves, Bhaja Caves and Bedsa that are close to Lonavala. A trip to Lonavala and Khandala can be combined with sight-seeing visits of Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves and also the two fortresses, Lohagad and Visapur. Another place of interest is the Tungi fort, one of the forts captured by Malik Ahmad near the village of Karjat and was known for its natural strength. The Andharban trek begins from village Pimpri, passes through dense forests, valleys and waterfalls and ends in Bhira.
6. Alibag
Alibag is a coastal town lying in the Raigad District, Maharashtra, India. It is known for its palatial sea forts, local fish delicacies, and virgin, sun-kissed beaches. A trip to Alibag is the ideal weekend getaway from the hustle-bustle of cosmopolitan lives. Located just 95.3 km from Mumbai, Alibag can be reached by NH 66 in about 2 hours.
Alibag is well known for its beautiful beaches and ancient forts. Among the various Alibag tourist places, Alibaug Beach, Kihim Beach, Akshi Beach, Mandwa Beach, Kashid Beach, Varsoli Beach, Nagaon Beach, and Murud Beach are the popular beaches in Alibaug. Visitors can also visit Khanderi Fort, Kolaba Fort, Murud -Janjira Fort, Vikram Vinayak Temple or Birla Temple, Magnetic Observatory, and Korlai Fort.
7. Wai
Wai is a town in the Satara district of Maharashtra state in India. Located on the Krishna River, Wai was a prominent town during the Peshwa era. Two important Maratha Brahmin from ruling families had their origins here: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi (Tambe family) and Gopikabai, wife of Nanasaheb Peshwa (Raste family).
There are altogether points to visit in Wai are Wai Caves, Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir, Dholya Ganpati Mandir, Krishna Ghat, Dhundi Vinayak Ganpati Mandir, Bhiravnath Mandir Kikali, Wakeshwar, Bhadreshwar, Sonjai: Temple, Mandhardevi Temple, Pandavgad, Lohar Palpeshwar Caves, Kamalgad, Menawali, Palpeshwar, Raste Wada in Motibag, Laxmibai Wada in Bavdhan, Govardhan Sanstha (Goshala), Dhom and Dhom Balakwadi dams, Wind-power mill in Surur, Boat riding at Dhom Dam in Boriv Village
8. Gaganbavda
Gaganbawada is a town situated in the district of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, India. It is located 55 km by road from Kankavali. It is the taluka headquarters. Gaganbawada is situated on the Sahyadri range or the Western ghats and also has a very famous fort Gagangad near it. Gaganbawada, though only 55 km from Kolhapur.
Gaganbawada offers you the most scenic views of the mighty mountain ranges of Western Ghats. Each season the view will be different and magnificent like Karul Ghat & Bhuibawada Ghat, Gagangad Fort and Gagangiri Ashram, Morjai Temple and Plateau, Lakhmapur Dam, Pandav Caves, D. Y. Patil Sugar Factory, Bavdekar Bungalow, Beautiful Biodiversity
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