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Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, India | Panchgani

Table Land, with an elevation of 4,550 ft above sea level, is the highest point in Panchgani. Credited as Asia’s second longest mountain plateau, it is a vast expanse of flat laterite rock surrounded by hills. The 95 acres area of the attraction is beautifully carpeted with the tiny blue bonnet and star, along with other grasses that grow in the month of August and September.

Apart from shielding the destination from strong winds and heavy rains, the place also offers an aerial view of the entire town and the valleys located nearby. The place also contains several avenues of entertainment like horse riding, merry go rounds, mini trains, food stalls and a couple of games counters. Owing to is elevation, the place also offers an aerial view of the Rajpuri Caves and Devil’s Kitchen.

Sydney Point is renowned for offering beautiful views of the Krishna Valley, Kamalgad Fort, Dhom Dam, and the city of Wai. This tiny hillock overlooking the lush green Krishna Valley was named after Sir Sidney Beckwarth, who was Commander in Chief and senior member of the council.

Sir Sidney Beckwarth temporarily succeeded Sir John Malcolm as the Governor of Bombay in 1830. The hillock also offers beautiful views of the hill ranges of Pandavgad and Mandhardeo.

Mapro Farms is an 8 km long stretch that extends on the Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar Road. The farms are well-known for their strawberry plantations. At the farm, visitors can also try out strawberry shakes, fruit salads, and ice creams. From the shops located within the farm, tourists can also buy squashes, lemonades, and fresh fruit juices. Tasting counters of jams, sweets, crushes, syrups, squashes, mocktails, toppings and others are also located within the farm.

Venna Lake is a popular tourist spot spread over 28 acres of area. It has an average depth of nearly 10 ft. In 1842, the ruler of Satara, Shri Appasaheb Maharaj ordered the construction of this lake. Fishing and boating are popular activities at the lake.

Children can enjoy the mini train ride and games at various stalls located near the lake. The place has small stalls offering snacks and drinks to the visitors. Venna Lake is located on the Panchgani- Mahabaleshwar road near the entrance of Mahabaleshwar city.

Wai is famed for its seven Ghats, including Gangapuri, Madhi Aali, Ganpati Aali, Dharmapuri, Brahmanshahi, Ramdoh, and Bhimkund. Situated on the banks of Krishna River, the city is in Satara District in Maharashtra. At the ghats, many temples dedicated to various Hindu deities are located. Many water ponds, waterfalls, and hillocks are also enclosed by these ghats.

Brahmanshahi ghat contains several temples including Kaunteshwar, Chakreshwar, Kaleshwar and Chimneshwar. Other attractions of the destination include Mahalaxmi Temple in Dharmapuri. Near the city lies the Pandavgadh Fort that is a popular trekking site.

Parsi Point is known for offering beautiful views of the Dhom Dam backwaters and the lush green Krishna Valley. This popular picnic spot has derived its name from the fact that in earlier days, it was a favorite spot of the Parsi Community.

Arthur Seat offers views of the desolate deep valley Savitri on the left side and the green valley on the right side. It is famed to be the only viewpoint for offering views of the geographical differentiation of Konkan and Deccan. The viewpoint that is 1,470 m high has been named after Arthur Mallet as he was the first man to come here and build a house.

Rajpuri Caves hold religious significance, owing to the belief that these were used for penance and religious rituals by Lord Kartikeya. Surrounded by many water kunds (ponds), these ancient caves are also believed to have sheltered the Pandavas during their exile. Owing to the belief that the holy Ganges also flows into these kunds, devotees have a bath in these water bodies to cure all kinds of diseases and evils.

The most popular attraction of the caves is a temple of ‘Lord Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva. An entrance of the cave contains several stone plates with inscriptions on them. Two traditional images of Nandi are located in front of the caves. Out of the two images, one lies right opposite to the entrance to the cave.

One of the four caves that comprise the attraction is placed separately from the others. Within this fort lies an old image of Lord Kartikeya. The other three caves are linked by means of underground tunnels. The first cave contains a kund, which constantly keeps on being filled with water flowing from the mouth of a sacred ‘Gomukh’.

The main attraction of the caves is the Lord Kartikeya Temple, which is believed to have been constructed out of the sand taken from the caves.

Elphinstone Point is a revered tourist spot located 3.2 km south-west of the Arthur Seat. The point is at the peak of a cliff, which is nearly 3,000 ft above sea level. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful views of the Koyna Valley and surrounding peaks of the region. There is a steep ravine stretching from Elphinstone Point to Arthur Seat, which has risen from the Savitri River. Elphinstone Point is located on the same road, which connects Arthur Seat with Old Mahabaleshwar.

Serbaug, a naturally well-designed landscape, is home to many species of birds, rabbits, turkeys and swans. Within the attraction lies a children’s park and a beautiful rose garden. For the entertainment of children, the park organizes various artistic and sculptural activities. The park also organizes clay pot making and sculpturing activities for children on a regular basis.

Hunter Point, located a kilometer west of Connaught Peak, rises 1,290 m above sea level. From the viewpoint, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the Koyna Valley and the surrounding Sahyadri mountain ranges. Hunter Point can be reached via Old Mahabaleshwar Road.

Wilson Point, also known as the Sunrise Point, is located within a kilometer's distance from the Mahabaleshwar city center. It is a bare rock within a plateau with three watch towers. The vast plateau contains three masonry round platforms, tallest of which reaches a height of 4,735 ft. The towers have round cemented platforms for observation. This platform is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar.

Lingmala Falls lies on the Mahabaleshwar-Pune Road. The ideal time to visit the waterfall is from July to December. From the area around the waterfall, beautiful views of Dhobi Waterfall and Chinaman's Waterfall can be availed. The falls are ideally viewed after the rainy season when these are flooded with water, which descends nearly 500 ft from the cliff.

Dhom Dam is a beautiful boating spot that is located at a distance of 21 km from the town. For enjoying water activities, tourists can hire scooter boats and speed boats from near the dam. This earth fill and gravity dam on Krishna River is located near Wai. For supplying water for agriculture and industries, the dam was constructed in 1982. Construction of the dam commenced in 1976.

The water of the dam also serves the industries and residential quarters located in Wai, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar and the surrounding villages on its bank. Using water of the dam, lands of Wai, Koregaon, Satara and Javli talukas are irrigated. Approximately 20 km in length, catchments area of the Dhom Lake has been formed by damming the Krishna River. From the basement electricity house, the dam generates 4 MG of hydroelectricity.

Bombay Point is one of the oldest tourist spots of Mahabaleshwar city, which is located on an old road leading to Mumbai. It is also known as Sunset Point, as it offers beautiful views of the sun setting behind mountains.

Mahabaleshwar Temple is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Mahabali or Shiva. Situated inside five feet high stone wall, this ancient temple has a Shiva Lingam built in black stone. The Shiva Lingam is placed in the inner room or 'Garbh' of the temple. The outer room with the larger capacity is meant for the devotees. The temple is located in Old Mahabaleshwar.

Lord Karthikeya Temple, dedicated to Lord Karthikeya, is located within the premises of the Rajpuri caves. Religions significance associated with the caves is largely due to the presence of this temple dedicated to the son of Lord Shiva. The temple is thronged by devotees during the Thaipooyam festival between January and February.

Lodwick Point, formerly called Sidney Point, is considered as one of the most beautiful tourist spots in the region. It has been named after General Peter Lodwick who was among the first European visitors to this region. A memorial pole constructed at this site is dedicated to the late General.

This viewpoint offers beautiful views of the Koyna Valley, Pratapgad Fort, and Elphinstone Point. Tourists can reach the place by traveling on the Lodwick Point Road.

Venna Lake is a popular tourist spot spread over 28 acres of area. It has an average depth of nearly 10 ft. In 1842, the ruler of Satara, Shri Appasaheb Maharaj ordered the construction of this lake. Fishing and boating are popular activities at the lake.

Children can enjoy the mini train ride and games at various stalls located near the lake. The place has small stalls offering snacks and drinks to the visitors. Venna Lake is located on the Panchgani- Mahabaleshwar road near the entrance of Mahabaleshwar city.

Pratapgad Fort lies at a distance of 24 km from Mahabaleshwar. This famed fort that is the pride of the Maratha Empire dates from 1656. The fort complex comprises ponds, chambers and long walkways, some of which lead to trap doors. One of the most famous forts in Maratha history, it was built by the Maratha chieftain Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1656.

The aim of constructing the fort was to control the rebellious rulers of the nearby Javali Basin. Having an elevation of 900 m above sea level, the fort is renowned for witnessing the historic encounter between Shivaji and the Bijapur general Afzal Khan. At the fort, Shivaji, in spite of being attacked by tiger claws, killed Afzal Khan. Dargah of Afzal Khan and Temple of Goddess Bhavani are located in vicinity of the fort.

Connaught Peak is located at a height of 1,400 m above sea level. This mountain peak is located on the Old Mahabaleshwar Road and is named after the Duke of Connaught who visited the place in 1880. Formerly called Mount Olympia, this place attracts trekkers and adventure enthusiasts.

The place offers beautiful views of the Venna Lake and surrounding valleys. From the viewpoint, beautiful views of Krishna Valley, Kamalgad Fort, Torana, Pratapgad Fort and Ajinkyatara can also be seen.