TRAVEL

Prepare a fact file on mahabaleshwar Ask for details; Follow Report by Moksh37 Log in to add a comment. Mahabaleshwar is located in the Western Ghats also known as Sahyadri, in Satara district of Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar is one of few evergreen forests of india, which remains green throughout the whole year. The word Mahableshwar has been derived from Sanskrit word meaning 'God of Great Power' (Lord Shiva). Mahabaleshwar is Sanskrit for God of Great Power. It was summer capital of Governor of the old Bombay Presidency.Covering 10 sq km. There are 30 valley viewpoints with panoramic vistas scattered around the hill station and their access roads make for shady, pleasant walks and treks.

Fact File On Mahabaleshwar

India’s strawberry fields
Located in the lush Western Ghats, the erstwhile capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj, Mahabaleshwar is a delight to visit anytime. March, however, is special as it is the season of luscious strawberries
Kavita Kanan Chandra

Pratapgarh fort is 24 km from Mahabaleshwar and offers panoramic view of the surrounding Western Ghats A heritage bungalow from the British era A strawberry seller at Panchgani road Venna lake looks beautiful with these leafless tree trunks. Photos by the writer

The red juicy strawberries are one of the biggest attractions to be in Mahabaleshwar during February and March. However, there are more reasons you would get drawn to the largest hill station in Maharashtra. Located in the lush Western Ghats, the erstwhile capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj, is a delight to visit anytime except perhaps the rainy season when torrential rains virtually shut it down. Any other time of the year, you would get enchanting views of the plummeting Ghats and a walk on its street reminiscent of British-era nostalgia.

Known as the ‘strawberry garden of India’, the British should be credited for bringing these strawberry plantations from Australia. The berry bounty abounds in Mahabaleshwar and its neighbouring Panchgani. Raspberry, mulberry, gooseberry and, of course, the luscious red strawberry attracts the berry lovers. The presence of cool climate and red soil make the place conducive for the growth of strawberries and other berries.

On the entire length of Panchgani road you find Strawberry vendors next to the strawberry farms. As these are perishable fruits, the crimson berries sell at Rs 60/kg during February-March when loads of them are harvested. As the summer arrives and the berries production decreases the demand rises, as more tourists flock to Mahabaleshwar. With rising demand the price shoot upwards up to Rs 150/kg to even Rs 250/kg as summer advances. The onset of monsoon ends the strawberry season.

Apart from the fresh fruit, you get varieties of strawberry goodies like the preserves, jams, fruit crushes, ice-creams, milkshakes, strawberry with fresh cream, strawberry fudge or even the jelly toffees at various shops, farms and factories dotting the town of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. Usually the juices sell at Rs 40, strawberry with cream at Rs 90 and fudge at Rs 400/kg. A must visit for visitors is Mapro farm to taste variety of fruit juices and crushes and to simply gorge on the delicious grilled sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas.

You could also visit the nearby strawberry farms and talk to the farmers. It is amazing to know that these little shrubs require extreme care. The fields have to be prepared in September just after the rains, fumigation done and covered with plastic sheets. Then cowdung manure is added, fields sprayed and the seedlings are planted through holes punched in plastic sheets. Strawberries are ready from December and last till May.

Srawberries apart, the other attraction is the colonial architecture of the numerous bungalows, many of which have been turned into guest houses and hotels much to the delight of tourists who could rest in solitude in company of birds and bees. The Mahabaleshwar club built in 1881 and the Holy Cross church, a Roman catholic church with lovely stained glass windows, are heritage structures worth a visit.

After a lovely heritage walk, you could hire a car to go for long drives for there are many vantage points which showcase the lush green beauty of the ghats. The narrow roads shaded by the trees foliage make the drive cool even when the mercury rises. One of the most famous points is the Arthur’s seat that provides a magnificent view of the Konkan coast at a sheer drop of 2000 feet.

In the strawberry season these drives become more pleasant as you could get farm fresh strawberries every few meters sold in paper cones and cardboard boxes at very low prices. This sweet juicy treat is in itself an incentive for they taste heavenly, unlike anything you get at any supermarket. However, keep a watch for the roaming monkeys for they could stealthily follow you and snatch the luscious berries from you in no time. Other delightful natural snacks are munching on peanuts, biting into roasted corn cobs and the salted cucumber slices.