Places to Visit in Mahabaleshwar

Lying on the route towards Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, the incredibly beautiful Parsi Point happens to be a very well-known viewpoint in India. This picturesque viewpoint offers visitors a truly breathtaking panoramic view of the clear waters of Dhom Dam and the charm of Krishna Valley. Surrounded by lofty, green mountains on all sides, this spot is indeed a sight to remember for a lifetime. This place can refresh the tired travelers and rejuvenate them from within by bursting all the stress and anxiety of everyday life.

The very name ‘Parsi Point’ is inspired by the significance of the place to the early Parsi community. In modern day, this viewpoint receives a great influx of travelers, including couples, families, and solo trippers. The place is considered to be the most ideal spot for watching picturesque sunrise and sunset sights. Visitors even avail telescope service to catch jaw-dropping views from different angles.

Travelers flocking to Parsi Point get the opportunity to carry out a broad spectrum of exciting kids-friendly games. There is also a plethora of refreshment stalls at the place selling out delicious snacks and beverages. In addition to all these, tourists can also enjoy camel rides at this amazing destination.

Venna Lake not only happens to be one of the most beautiful and scenic lakes in Mahabaleshwar, but it also happens to serve a lot of other purposes as well. It  is the main source of water for the nearby township. It is considered to be one of the most loved attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The place is jam-packed with lush greenery and scenic picturesque beauty. Shri Appasahed Maharaj who was once the ruler of Satara and happens to be a descendant of the famous Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, built the Lake.

Venna Lake is constructed artificially over an area of 28 acres. The periphery of the lake is about 7-8 km long. The lake was built in the initial days to provide the nearby township with a source of water and cater to their day-to-day needs. This lake is not only famous among tourists but it is also famous among pilgrims. About one-third of the lake is meant for pilgrimage.

The lake offers amazing boating facilities and horse rides to the tourists. Venna Lake has a lot to offer to nature lovers as well. The lake is surrounded by lush green Chhatrapati Pratapsinh gardens. If you want to spend your evening in a peaceful setting of the adjacent Chhatrapati Pratapsinh garden, you can come to this place and take part in a number of activities as well as relish the local food in more than a few nearby food joints.

Situated between Mahabaleshwar and Pune, Lingmala Waterfall is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the country. Known for its tranquil atmosphere and gorgeous panorama, the waterfall originates approximately 600 feet above a cliff and is engulfed by lush greenery. Set next to the Lingmala Forest Bungalow, the waterfall is a brilliant spot for a daybreak from all the hustle and bustle of your daily city life. 

Interestingly, Lingmala Waterfall also offers you a picturesque view of Dhobi Waterfall as well as Chinaman’s Waterfall, which makes it a fabulous spot for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. The waterfalls are divided into two levels – the lower deck and the upper deck.

The lower deck has the mini waterfall which is perfect for swimming and splashing around since it is much safer. The upper deck, however, is dangerous for any such activities and is accessible after a 30-minutes trek from the mini waterfall. Though getting to the actual waterfall is not possible because of the difficult path, it makes for an adventurous trek and a splendid experience.

Nestled amid the verdant surroundings of Panchgani lies Mapro Garden. Mapro is an acronym to a renowned franchise called Mahabaleshwar Products, which makes sumptuous fruit-based supplies. When it comes to exploration, Mapro Garden does not lag behind. There is the chocolate factory, restaurant cum café, a quant nursery, and a children’s play area along with a retail outlet that sells Mapro products. The café serves scrumptious food made out of organic ingredients. They have a repertoire of delicacies to select from, including sandwiches and pizzas. Their specialty is the strawberry with whipped cream served with a smack of deliciousness.

Established in the 1980s, Mapro Garden is an extension of the Mapro Food Factory, which attracted visitors to see how jams and syrups were produced in factories. After realizing the excitement of people when they visited the place, they started serving their own ice cream, which was then followed by the addition of various other organic items on the menu. And now, Mapro Gardens have become a cherished tourist destination.

There is an in-built auditorium that has captured the essence of the process and screens it for the visitors every now and then. There are retailers selling jams outside the auditorium, where the visitors can buy the product of their preferred choice after tasting the samples.

Known across the globe for its brilliant architecture and awe-inspiring majesty, Mahabaleshwar Temple is located on the outskirts of the Mahabaleshwar city. This place of worship happens to be an example of the glorious Maratha legacy. Popularly known as Mahabali, this temple gets heavy influx of devotees, who come here to offer prayers all over the year. The best part of this shrine is the sense of tranquility and serenity it offers. The deity in the temple is Lord Shiva and the temple dates back to the 16th century. 

The temple of Mahabali is situated close to Satara and it was constructed by the Chanda Rao More dynasty. A wall of five feet height surrounds the temple and it has two sections. The inner section is known as Sanctum Sanctorum. You will find many belongings of Lord Shiva in the complex of the temple starting from his bed to his damru and from his sacred bull to his bodyguard Kalbhairav.

The main attraction of the Mahabaleshwar temple is the 6 feet long Shiva lingam, which depicts the stone incarnation of Lord Shiva. Tourists who come to visit this place find the place peaceful and they love to spend some time meditating on the premises of the temple.

This is one of the most enchanting waterfalls not only in Mahabaleshwar but in entire Maharashtra. Placed facing the famous Elphinstone Point, this waterfall is just 2km from the Mahabaleshwar bus stand. The falls’ site is enclosed from all directions with rocks and barriers, while the stream gushes down from the rocks and flows into the valley before meeting the Koyna river. This is a great spot for a family picnic and day-long recreation. 

Also, couples can enjoy their private time too. Around three hours or more can be spent here. The place is well-connected through bus, cab and private vehicles. You can walk or trek to the falls as well.

Location: Old Mahabaleshwar Petit Road

Height of the waterfall: The height is around 600 feet above the ground.