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Coordinates: 17°55′30″N 73°39′27″E / 17.9250°N 73.6575°E / 17.9250; 73.6575
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{{Short description|Town in Maharashtra, India known for its cold often a vacation place}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->{{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction |
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2014}}
native_name = Mahabaleshwar |
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
image_map = WikiprojectIndiacities_mahabaleshwar.png |
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
latd = 17.92172 | longd = 73.6556 |
{{Infobox settlement
state_name = Maharashtra |
| name = Mahabaleshwar
district = Satara |
| native_name =
leader_title = Mayor |
| native_name_lang =
leader_name = |
| other_name =
altitude = 1430|
| settlement_type = [[Hill station]]
population_as_of = 2001 |
| image_skyline =
population_total = 12736|
| image_alt =
population_density = |
| image_caption =
area_magnitude = |
| nickname =
area_total = 150 |
| map_alt =
area_telephone = 00 91 |
| map_caption =
postal_code = 412 806 |
| pushpin_map= India Maharashtra#India3
vehicle_code_range= MH-11 XX XXXX |
| pushpin_label_position = right
footnotes = |
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|17.9250|N|73.6575|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Satara District]]
| established_title = <!-- Established -->
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 137.15
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1353
| population_total = 12737
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = [[Official]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN CODE]]
| postal_code =
| registration_plate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 90 females/ 100 males [[female|♀]]/[[male|♂]]
| website =
| leader_title2 =
| leader_name2 =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi Language|Marathi]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Literacy Rate]]
| blank2_info_sec1 = 78%
| blank3_name_sec1 =
| blank3_info_sec1 =
| blank4_name_sec1 =
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 = Civic agency
| blank5_info_sec1 =
}}
}}
'''Mahabaleshwar''' ({{Audio|Mahabaleshwar.ogg|pronunciation}}) 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.<ref name="Talbot2016">{{cite book |first=Ian |last=Talbot |title=A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eNg_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PP11 |year=2016 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-19694-8 |page=36 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602061220/https://books.google.com/books?id=eNg_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PP11 |url-status=live }}</ref> The British colonial rulers developed the town as a [[hill station]], and it served as the [[summer capital]] of [[Bombay Presidency|the Bombay Presidency]] during the [[British Raj]].
[[Image:Mahabaleshwar-scene.jpg|thumb|left|150px|On the outskirts of Mahabaleshwar, towards Panchgani.]]
'''Mahabaleshwar''' {{audio|Mahabaleshwar.ogg|pronunciation}} is a city and a [[municipal council]] in [[Satara district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. It is a [[hill station]] located in the [[Western Ghats]] range. With one of the few [[Evergreen forest|evergreen forests]] of the world, it served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the [[British Raj]].


==Geography==
Located about 120 km southwest of [[Pune]] and 285 km from [[Mumbai]], Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau measuring 150 km², bound by valleys on all sides. It reaches a height of 1438 m (4710 ft) at its highest peak above sea level, known as Wilson/Sunrise Point.
Mahabaleshwar is located on the mountainous Sahyadri range of the [[Western ghats|Western Ghats]] that run North to south along the western coast of India.
The coordinates of the town are {{Coord|17.9250|N|73.6575|E}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Mahabaleshwar.html |title=Falling Rain Genomics, Mahabaleshwar |access-date=29 November 2007 |archive-date=3 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503055928/http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Mahabaleshwar.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau measuring {{cvt|150|km2|sqmi}}, bound by valleys on all sides. It reaches a height of {{cvt|1439|m|ft}} at its highest peak above sea level, known as Wilson/Sunrise Point.
The town is about {{cvt|122|km|mi}} southwest of [[Pune]] and {{cvt|285|km|mi}} from [[Mumbai]].


Mahabaleshwar comprises three villages: Malcolm Peth, Old "Kshetra" Mahabaleshwar, and part of the Shindola village. The Mahabaleshwar region is the source of the Krishna River that flows east across Maharashtra, [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]], and [[Andhra Pradesh]] towards the [[Bay of Bengal]]. Three tributaries of Krishna, namely [[Koyna River|Koyna]], [[Venna River|Venna (Veni)]] and [[Gayatri River|Gayatri]], also have their source in Mahabaleshwar region. A fourth river, the [[Savitri River|Savitri]], also has its source in the region, but flows Westward via Mahad to the Arabian Sea.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Balasubramanian |first=Lalitha |title=Temples in Maharashtra: A Travel Guide |date=2017-08-30 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-947697-88-1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>Puri, G. S., & Mahajan, S. D. (1960). The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo, 2(1-2), 109-137.[https://nelumbo-bsi.org/index.php/nlmbo/article/view/76635/59738]</ref>
Today, [http://www.mahabaleshwar.in/ Mahabaleshwar] is a popular holiday resort and honeymoon spot, and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is the site of Mahabaleshwar Temple. Many tourists visit nearby [[Panchgani]]. After the construction of a new highway, it is only a five-hour drive from Mumbai. Mahabaleshwar is also known for the honey and strawberries produced here.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}.


The area's climate is suitable for cultivation of strawberries; [[Mahabaleshwar strawberry]] contributes to about 85 percent of the total strawberry production in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kasabe |first1=Nanda |title=Growing demand for strawberries in domestic market |url=http://archive.financialexpress.com/news/growing-demand-for-strawberries-in-domestic-market/913569 |work=The Financial Express |access-date=1 February 2016 |date=18 February 2012 |archive-date=30 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130013646/http://www.financialexpress.com/archive/growing-demand-for-strawberries-in-domestic-market/913569/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=good>{{cite web |last1=Kshirsagar |first1=Alka |title=Mahabaleshwar set for good strawberry season |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/mahabaleshwar-set-for-good-strawberry-season/article2805530.ece |work=The Hindu Business Line |access-date=27 January 2016 |date=16 January 2012}}</ref><ref>Mahableshwar-where strawberries grow:https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/mahabaleshwar--where-strawberries-grow/1757666 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718180941/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/mahabaleshwar--where-strawberries-grow/1757666 |date=18 July 2020 }}</ref><ref>Strawberry fields forever:https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/unwind/strawberry-fields-forever/articleshow/74419558.cms {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718181202/https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/unwind/strawberry-fields-forever/articleshow/74419558.cms |date=18 July 2020 }}</ref> It also received the [[geographical indication]] (GI) tag in 2010.<ref name=bstd>{{Cite news |last1=Joshi |first1=Hrishikesh |title=Mahabaleshwar strawberry gets GI status |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/mahabaleshwar-strawberry-gets-gi-status-110051400085_1.html |work=Business Standard |access-date=27 January 2016 |date=14 May 2010 |archive-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403062530/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/mahabaleshwar-strawberry-gets-gi-status-110051400085_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Mahabaleshwar comprises three villages: Malcolm Peth, Old "Kshetra" Mahabaleshwar and part of the Shindola village.
[[Image:Mahabaleshwar Panorama.jpg|600px|thumb|center|Panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar]]


===Climate===
Mahabaleshwar is the source of the [[Krishna River]] that flows across Maharashtra and [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The legendary source of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of [[Mahadev]] in Old Mahabaleshwar. Legend has it that Krishna is Lord Vishnu himself as a result of a curse on the [[trimurti]]s by Savitri. Also, its tributaries Venna and Koyana are said to be Siva and Brahma themselves. An interesting thing to notice is that 4 other rivers come out from the cow (bull's) mouth apart from Krishna and they all travel some distance before merging into Krishna. These rivers are the Koyana, Venna(Veni), Savitri, and Gayatri.
Mahabaleshwar has a borderline [[tropical monsoon climate|tropical monsoon]]/[[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Am''/''Cwa''). Very heavy rainfall is a normal occurrence during [[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoons]]. During July, 10–12 days of continuous rains with {{cvt|100|to|200|mm|in|0|disp=or}} each day occur each year. There were reports of ice and ground frost formation around [[Venna Lake]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-30 |title=Cold wave grips parts of India: Delhi continues to freeze; Nagpur gets colder than Shimla; Pune records coldest morning in 18 years |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/cold-wave-grips-parts-of-india-delhi-continues-to-freeze-nagpur-gets-colder-than-shimla-pune-records-coldest-morning-in-18-years-5812301.html |access-date=2021-04-20 |website=Firstpost |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420070656/https://www.firstpost.com/india/cold-wave-grips-parts-of-india-delhi-continues-to-freeze-nagpur-gets-colder-than-shimla-pune-records-coldest-morning-in-18-years-5812301.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-08 |title=In-pics: Maharashtra's Mahabaleshwar witnesses frozen dew drops |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-pics-at-zero-degree-mahabaleshwar-witnesses-frozen-dew-drops/story-OllUibgz0kWlpgoxEXIfoO.html |access-date=2021-04-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420070654/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-pics-at-zero-degree-mahabaleshwar-witnesses-frozen-dew-drops/story-OllUibgz0kWlpgoxEXIfoO.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 7, 2019, Mahabaleshwar recorded {{cvt|330|mm|in|2|disp=or}} of [[rain]] in 24 hours causing [[Landslide|landslides]].<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Sandip |last1=Dighe |date=August 7, 2019 |first2=Satyajit|last2=Joshi |title=Stay off roads to Mahabaleshwar, heavy rain floods Satara, Sangli districts too |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/stay-off-roads-to-mahabaleshwar-heavy-rain-floods-satara-sangli-districts-too/articleshow/70564847.cms |access-date=2021-04-20 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420070654/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/stay-off-roads-to-mahabaleshwar-heavy-rain-floods-satara-sangli-districts-too/articleshow/70564847.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahabaleshwar has been described as the "New Candidate for the wettest place in the world", the title currently held by [[Cherrapunji]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabaleshwar: New Candidate for Wettest Place on Earth|url=https://weather.com/en-IN/india/monsoon/news/2019-08-07-mahabaleshwar-new-candidate-for-wettest-place-on-earth|access-date=2021-04-26|website=The Weather Channel|language=en-IN|archive-date=26 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426070801/https://weather.com/en-IN/india/monsoon/news/2019-08-07-mahabaleshwar-new-candidate-for-wettest-place-on-earth|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Weather box
|location=Mahabaleshwar (1991–2020, extremes 1932–2020). Mahabaleshwar's summers are colder than spring, fall and winter.
|metric first=Yes
|single line=Yes
|Jan record high C=32.4
|Feb record high C=33.9
|Mar record high C=35.9
|Apr record high C=37.6
|May record high C=37.4
|Jun record high C=34.8
|Jul record high C=31.7
|Aug record high C=29.6
|Sep record high C=29.2
|Oct record high C=31.9
|Nov record high C=32.0
|Dec record high C=31.0
|year record high C=37.6
|Jan high C=26.4
|Feb high C=28.1
|Mar high C=31.0
|Apr high C=32.1
|May high C=30.5
|Jun high C=23.8
|Jul high C=20.1
|Aug high C=19.7
|Sep high C=21.8
|Oct high C=25.8
|Nov high C=25.9
|Dec high C=26.1
|year high C=26.0
|Jan low C=13.4
|Feb low C=14.7
|Mar low C=17.3
|Apr low C=18.9
|May low C=18.4
|Jun low C=17.6
|Jul low C=17.1
|Aug low C=16.8
|Sep low C=16.3
|Oct low C=16.3
|Nov low C=15.2
|Dec low C=13.9
|year low C=16.3
|Jan record low C=5.6
|Feb record low C=3.9
|Mar record low C=7.7
|Apr record low C=11.1
|May record low C=12.5
|Jun record low C=12.0
|Jul record low C=12.2
|Aug record low C=11.3
|Sep record low C=10.5
|Oct record low C=10.0
|Nov record low C=7.4
|Dec record low C=6.4
|year record low C=3.9
|rain colour=green
|Jan rain mm=1.0
|Feb rain mm=0.5
|Mar rain mm=6.1
|Apr rain mm=20.1
|May rain mm=46.1
|Jun rain mm=958.4
|Jul rain mm=2197.4
|Aug rain mm=1806.9
|Sep rain mm=657.4
|Oct rain mm=157.6
|Nov rain mm=25.1
|Dec rain mm=5.9
|year rain mm=5882.6
|Jan rain days=0.1
|Feb rain days=0.1
|Mar rain days=0.5
|Apr rain days=1.4
|May rain days=3.4
|Jun rain days=19.9
|Jul rain days=29.7
|Aug rain days=29.1
|Sep rain days=19.1
|Oct rain days=8.0
|Nov rain days=2.0
|Dec rain days=0.4
|year rain days=113.8
|time day=17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
|Jan humidity=49
|Feb humidity=39
|Mar humidity=41
|Apr humidity=51
|May humidity=67
|Jun humidity=92
|Jul humidity=98
|Aug humidity=98
|Sep humidity=94
|Oct humidity=76
|Nov humidity=64
|Dec humidity=56
|year humidity=69
|source 1=[[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=43111 |archive-date=5 February 2020 |url=https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=43111 |title=Station: Mahabaleshwar Climatological Table 1981–2010 |work=Climatological Normals 1981–2010 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |date=January 2015 |pages=457–458 |access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2020 |url=https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf |title=Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012) |publisher=India Meteorological Department |date=December 2016 |page=M145 |access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref>
|source 2=Government of Maharashtra<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/SATARA/gen_climate.html |title=Climate |publisher=Government of Maharashtra |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314234849/https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/SATARA/gen_climate.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|date=May 2012
}}


==History==
[[Image:Boats On Venna Lake.jpg|thumb|left|Boats on the Venna lake in Mahabaleshwar.]]
[[Image:Mahabaleshwar-scene.jpg|thumb|upright|On the outskirts of Mahabaleshwar, towards [[Panchgani]].]]
The Venna lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees on all sides. A late winter evening boat ride through the slight fog is well appreciated. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride over the lake or a horse ride next to the lake. A number of small eateries line the banks of the lake. The Mahabaleshwar city market and the S.T. bus stand is about 2KM from the lake and makes for a nice walk during the day. Most tour operators include the Venna lake in their tours. Most buses, private vehicles will stop at the Venna lake on their way to Mahabaleshwar on request.
Legend says that a Yadava ruler from 13th century built a small temple and water tank at the source of the river Krishna.<ref>Gundawar, P., Sinha, D.K. and Wable, P., 2008. A critical investigation of motivating factors responsible for increase in pleasure tourism at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Conference on Tourism in India – Challenges Ahead, 15–17 May 2008, IIMK [http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2259/173/555-568.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420171815/http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2259/173/555-568.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|date=20 April 2021}}</ref> The Valley of Jawali, the area around Mahabaleshwar, was ruled by the [[Morè (clan)|More (clan)]] who were vassals of the [[Adilshahi]] sultanate of Bijapur.
In 1656, the founder of Maratha empire, [[Shivaji|Chhatrapati Shivaji]], killed the then ruler of Valley of Javali, [[Morè (clan)|Chandrarao More]], and seized the area.<ref>{{cite book |last=Farooqui |first=Salma Ahmed |title=A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxhAtCflwOMC |year=2011 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-3202-1 |page=317}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Dipesh |last=Chakrabarty |title=The Calling of History: Sir Jadunath Sarkar and His Empire of Truth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4gPhCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA147 |year=2015 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-24024-4 |page=147 |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719084309/https://books.google.com/books?id=4gPhCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA147 |url-status=live }}</ref> Around that time Shivaji also built a hill fort near Mahabaleshwar called [[Pratapgad]] fort.<ref name="Gordon2007">{{cite book |first=Stewart |last=Gordon |date=1 February 2007 |title=The Marathas 1600-1818 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |pages=62– |isbn=978-0-521-03316-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C&pg=PA62 |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416031943/https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C&pg=PA62 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Puri, G.S. and Mahajan, S.D., 1960. The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo-The Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India, 2(1-2), pp.109-137.[http://ischolar.info/index.php/JONBSI/article/viewFile/75582/65888] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602061210/http://ischolar.info/index.php/JONBSI/article/viewFile/75582/65888|date=2 June 2022}}</ref>


===British colonial era===
With another popular and scenic hill resort [[Panchgani]] in close vicinity (about 20KM), most tourists often visit both places together.
[[File:Mahabaleshwar 1855.jpg|thumb|right|Map of the region (1881)]]
[[File:Temple of Siva. (12488632604).jpg|thumb|Panchaganga temple in Old Mahabaleshwar, 1850s]]
In 1819, after the demise of the Maratha empire, the British ceded the hills around Mahabaleshwar to the vassal state of [[satara state|Satara]]. Colonel Lodwick (Later General Sir Lodwick) after climbing the mountains near Mahabaleshwar, recommended the place as a sanatorium for the British forces to governor [[Sir John Malcolm]] of [[Bombay presidency]]. The Raja of Satara was granted other villages in exchange for the British getting Mahabaleshwar in 1828.<ref name="Kulkarni1995">{{cite book |first=Sumitra |last=Kulkarni |title=The Satara Raj, 1818-1848: A Study in History, Administration, and Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SYOSHaZnBy8C&pg=PR9 |year=1995 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-581-4 |pages=174–177 |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721045433/https://books.google.com/books?id=SYOSHaZnBy8C&pg=PR9 |url-status=live }}</ref> In old records Mahabaleshwar was even called Malcolm Peth after the governor.<ref name="Kennedy1996">{{cite book |author=Dane Keith Kennedy |title=The Magic Mountains: Hill Stations and the British Raj |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UveLzKDlZBEC&pg=PR9 |date=1 January 1996 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-20188-0 |page=24 |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=31 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231163935/https://books.google.com/books?id=UveLzKDlZBEC&pg=PR9 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Mahabaleshwar started gaining prominence when British officials of the [[Bombay presidency]] such as Sir [[Mountstuart Elphinstone]], Arthur Malet (for whom the seat at "Point Arthur" is named), Carnac, and many others became regular visitors.
==History==
Venna Lake was constructed in 1842 to collect water from perennial springs; the Venna River flows from this lake.<ref>Puri, G.S. and Mahajan, S.D., 1960. The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo, 2(1-2), pp.109-137.[http://nelumbo-bsi.org/index.php/nlmbo/article/view/76635/59738] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113092126/http://www.nelumbo-bsi.org/index.php/nlmbo/article/view/76635/59738|date=13 November 2020}}</ref> Bartley Frere, the commissioner of Satara in the 1850s, built the road from [[Satara (city)|Satara]] to Mahabaleshwar.<ref name="Ranade1990">{{cite book |first=Rekha |last=Ranade |title=Sir Bartle Frere and His Times: A Study of His Bombay Years, 1862-1867 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ePXKrmYrWswC&pg=PR9 |year=1990 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-222-6 |pages=9– |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602061034/https://books.google.com/books?id=ePXKrmYrWswC&pg=PR9 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the mid 1800s, Mahabaleshwar was made into the summer capital of the [[Bombay presidency]].<ref name="Knight2012">{{cite book |first=Lionel |last=Knight |title=Britain in India, 1858-1947 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NVfTufIqlD8C&pg=PR1 |year=2012 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-0-85728-517-1 |page=15 |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611085659/https://books.google.com/books?id=NVfTufIqlD8C&pg=PR1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Government spending led to rapid development of the area.


Colonial officials spent part of their year in the area. Their wives spent a longer period of the year in the area to be with their children in local [[boarding school]]s in Mahabaleshwar and nearby [[Panchgani]].<ref>Baker, K., 2009. The changing tourist gaze in India’s hill stations: from the early nineteenth century to the present. Environment, Politics and Development Working Paper Series. London: Department of Geography, King’s College. Available online: http://www {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202072252/http://www/|date=2 February 2008}}. kcl. ac. uk/schools/sspp/geography/research/epd/working. html.[https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/38120111/BakerWP25.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DEnvironment_Politics_and_Development_Wor.pdf&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256]</ref><ref name="BurnsPalmer2010">{{cite book |first1=Peter M. |last1=Burns |first2=Cathy |last2=Palmer |author3=Jo-Anne Lester |first4=Kathleen |last4=Baker |title=Tourism and Visual Culture Theories and concepts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JE5XAgHk6d4C&pg=PA1 |year=2010 |publisher=CABI |isbn=978-1-84593-609-9 |pages=2, 5, 11 |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602061236/https://books.google.com/books?id=JE5XAgHk6d4C&pg=PA1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The British rulers wanted to recreate the English landscape in the hill stations and to that end, European flora such as [[Mahabaleshwar strawberry|strawberries]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/mahabaleshwar-strawberry-gets-gi-status-110051400085_1.html |title=Mahabaleshwar strawberry gets GI status |access-date=16 April 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111195632/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/mahabaleshwar-strawberry-gets-gi-status-110051400085_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> were introduced in Mahabaleshwar, and amenities such as libraries, theatres, boating lakes, and sports grounds were constructed.<ref name="DossalMaloni1999">{{cite book |first1=Mariam |last1=Dossal |first2=Ruby |last2=Maloni |title=State Intervention and Popular Response: Western India in the Nineteenth Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t7f0JEWk6HMC&pg=PA5 |year=1999 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7154-855-2 |pages=32–34 |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602061217/https://books.google.com/books?id=t7f0JEWk6HMC&pg=PA5 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The first historical mention of Mahabaleshwar dates back to year 1215 when the [[King Singhan]] of Deogiri visited Old Mahabaleshwar. He built a small temple and water tank at the source of the river Krishna. Around 1350, a Brahmin dynasty took over power and gave the area peace and prosperity. In the middle of the 16th century the Maratha family of Chandarao More, became rulers of Jaoli and Mahabaleshwar, during which period the temple of Old Mahabaleshwar was rebuilt.


Added to the scores of magnificent scenic "points", the perennial springs, streams, and waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar plateau, with its year round superb climate, drew the English and others to Mahabaleshwar. By the end of the 19th century it had become an attractive popular hill station of world renown. [[Raj Bhavan (Mahabaleshwar)|Raj Bhavan]], the summer residence of the [[Governor of Maharashtra]], is also located here. An older building named "The Terraces" was purchased in 1884 and rechristened as ''Giri Darshan'' in 1886.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Raj Bhavan, Mumbai |url=http://rajbhavan.maharashtra.gov.in/Pages/frm_rajbhavanhistory.aspx |access-date=8 February 2016 |archive-date=25 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325144544/http://rajbhavan.maharashtra.gov.in/Pages/frm_rajbhavanhistory.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the 17th century the great Maratha idol, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was inspired to free his country of foreign invaders. He overran Jaoli and Mahabaleshwar and constructed the impregnable fort at [[Pratapgad]] in 1656. After him the Peshwas ruled until their downfall in the 19th century.


"Babington House", is a colonial-style bungalow built in the shape of a cross with a deep veranda, elaborate metal work railing and extensive outhouses. It was formerly one of the country seats of the Dubash family, a Parsi ship chandler dynasty from Bombay, before they sold it to the Rahejas in the early 1970s. It contains a central dining room with a 24-seater table and a library pavilion with 1st edition books collected by the Dubash family, notably Jamsetjee "Jimmy" Kavasjee Dubash, a bibliophile and art collector.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}
In 1819, the British included the hills in the territory of the Raja of Satara. Col. Lodwick (Late General Sir Peter Lodwick) stationed at Satara, in April 1824 with a contingent of soldiers and Indian guides climbed up the mountain face reaching what is now known as the Lodwick Point.


==Demographics==
Starting with Sir John Malcolm in 1828, a succession of them from Elphinston, Arthur (for whom the Point Arthur Seat is named), Carnac, Frere and many others became regular visitors.
{{As of|2011}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999 |archive-date=16 June 2004 |title=Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional) |access-date=1 November 2008 |publisher=Census Commission of India}}</ref> Mahabaleshwar had a population of 12,737. Males constituted 55% of the population and females 45%. Mahabaleshwar had an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy was 84%, and female literacy was 71%. In Mahabaleshwar, 11% of the population was at that time under 6 years of age. 90% of population speaks Marathi language.


==Transport==
Present day Mahabaleshwar came into existence in the year 1829-30. In old records it is mentioned as Malcolm Peth, but in practise today it is known as Mahabaleshwar.
===Rail===


Nearest railway station to Mahabaleshwar is Satara, 60&nbsp;km. Nearby major railway stations include Pune (120&nbsp;km), [[Sangli railway station]] (170&nbsp;km). State-run bus services are available in these locations to Mahabaleshwar. Rail station Diwan Khavati on Kokan Railway near Khed gives a route of 60&nbsp;km via Poladpur to Mahabaleshwar.
Added to the scores of magnificent scenic "points", the perennial springs, streams, and waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar plateau, with its year round superb climate, drew the English and others to Mahabaleshwar like honey bees to sweet nectar. By the end of the 19th century it had become an attractive popular hill station of world renown.


==Geography==
===Air===
Mahabaleshwar is located at {{coor d|17.92|N|73.67|E|}}<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Mahabaleshwar.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Mahabaleshwar]</ref>. It has an average elevation of 1353&nbsp;[[metre]]s (4438&nbsp;[[foot (unit of length)|feet]]).


The nearest airport is [[Pune International Airport]], serving the city of Pune, 120&nbsp;km from Mahabaleshwar. [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport]] of Mumbai is 270&nbsp;km.
==Demographics==

[[As of 2001]] India [[census]]<ref>{{GR|India}}</ref>, Mahabaleshwar had a population of 12,736. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Mahabaleshwar has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 71%. In Mahabaleshwar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
==Tourism==
Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra. Attractions include many hill side look out points with views of surrounding hills, valleys and forests such as Bombay Point, Arthur Seat, Kates Point, Lodwick-Wilson Point, and Elphinston Point. Wilson Point is the only location in Mahabaleshwar where both the sunrise and sunset can be seen. The town also has a man-made lake dating back to British era called [[Venna Lake]]. The lake is a popular place for boating. It is surrounded by a market and food stalls that are popular with the tourists.<ref>Gundawar, P., Sinha, D.K. and Wable, P., 2008. A critical investigation of motivating factors responsible for increase in pleasure tourism at panchgani and Mahabaleshwar.Conference on Tourism in India – Challenges Ahead, 15–17 May 2008, IIMK [http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2259/173/555-568.pdf?sequence=1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522171412/http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2259/173/555-568.pdf?sequence=1|date=22 May 2022}}</ref> Other attractions include the Lingmala waterfall. Old Mahabaleshwar is a place of pilgrimage with its Mahadeo temple. The temple is the source of the five rivers [[Krishna River|Krishna]], [[Koyna River|Koyna]], Venna, Savitri and Gayatri.<ref>Chavan, R. and Bhola, S.S., 2014. A Perceived image of Hill Stations of the Satara District, Maharashtra-by Domestic Tourist. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research (IJMSSR), 3(10).</ref> Being a relatively cool place, many temperate region crops such as strawberries, raspberries, and mulberries have been grown in Mahabaleshwar and surrounding hills. Principal amongst these crops is Strawberries. Strawberry plantations, and the produce they offer are also a popular tourist activity. The [[Mahabaleshwar strawberry]] was granted the [[geographical indication]] (GI) tag in 2010.<ref name=bounty>{{cite web|last1=Kanan Chandra|first1=Kavita|title=Berry bounty|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/travel/berry-bounty/article3384072.ece|work=The Hindu|accessdate=27 January 2016|date=11 May 2012}}</ref><ref name=bstd/><ref name=trib>{{cite web|title=India's strawberry fields|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140316/spectrum/travel.htm|work=The Tribune|accessdate=27 January 2016|date=16 March 2014}}</ref> As a popular tourist destination, Mahabaleshwar has hotels and accommodation to suit different budgets.<ref>Gunaji, M. (2010). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan.pp=135-138 [https://books.google.com/books?id=KHA9SzLMj3EC&q=mahabaleshwar+&pg=PA165]</ref>

===Pratapgad===
A popular place to visit is the historic fort of [[Pratapgad]] built by Chatrapati [[Shivaji]]. It is the site of the encounter between Shivaji Maharaj and Bijapur general, [[Afzal Khan (general)|Afzal Khan]], where the latter was defeated and killed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gunaji|first1=Milind|title=Offbeat tracks in Maharashtra|date=2010|publisher=Popular Prakashan|location=Mumbai|isbn=9788179915783|pages=43–44|edition=2nd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KHA9SzLMj3EC&q=pratapgad++mahabaleshwar+bus&pg=PA11}}</ref> There are small shops, restaurants and a handicrafts store. Many schools also arrange educational trips to the fort. The fort is also on many trekking routes of the area.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kapadia|first1=Harish|title=Trek the Sahyadris|date=2003|publisher=Indus Publ.|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788173871511|pages=144–146|edition=5.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oICZM5HKRbAC&q=pratapgad&pg=PA9}}</ref>

===Gallery of places of interest to tourism===
<gallery class="center" widths="240" heights="200">
File:Mahabaleshwar (Author Abid Hasan).jpg|Panoramic view from Savitri Point, Mahabaleshwar
File:Savitri river 1.jpg|A view from Arthur seat point
File:Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar.jpg|The Venna lake
Image:Boats On Venna Lake.jpg|Boats on the [[Venna lake]] in Mahabaleshwar.
File:Balakwadi Dam.jpg|Balakwadi dam viewed from Kate's Point
File:Needle Hole Point Mahabaleshwar.JPG|Needle hole rock, viewed from the point
File:Lingmala waterfall 1.jpg|Panoramic view of Lingamala waterfalls
</gallery>

==In popular culture ==
{{Incomplete list|date=March 2023}}
Movies filmed in Mahabaleshwar include [[Raj Kapoor|Raj Kapoor's]] ''[[Barsaat (1949 film)|Barsaat]]'' (1949)'',''<ref>Nanda, R. and Kapūra, R., 2002. Raj Kapoor Speaks. Penguin Books India.</ref>[[Hrishikesh Mukherjee|Hrishikesh Mukherjee's]] ''[[Anupama (1966 film)|Anupama]]'' (1966)<ref>Singh, J.A., 2016. The World of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Penguin UK.</ref><ref>[https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-sound-of-silence-2/ The Sound of Silence] Indian Express, March 15, 2015.</ref> and Basu Chatterji's ''[[Chitchor]]'' (1976).<ref>Arya, K.K. and Verma, M., A Navarasa-based Analysis of Love (Sringa-ra) in Middle Cinema’s Chitchor versus Do-mestic Drama’s Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon.ISSN 2319-5339 IIS Univ.J.A. Vol.10 (2), 310–27 (2021)</ref> In December 2020, some scenes of ''[[RRR (film)|RRR]]'' (2022) were filmed around Mahabaleshwar, notably scenes involving [[Alia Bhatt]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alia Bhatt Finally Joins 'RRR' Cast for Shoot in Mahabaleshwar |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/alia-bhatt-finally-joins-rrr-cast-for-shoot-in-mahabaleshwar-3150341.html |website=News 18}}</ref> Some scenes of the [[Kannada film]] ''[[Vikrant Rona]]'' (2022), starring [[Sudeepa]], were filmed around the hill station. Other hill stations such as [[Panchgani]] and [[Wai, Maharashtra|Wai]] are also popular filming locations. For example, in 2021 [[Kartik Aaryan]] filmed the movie ''[[Freddy (film)|Freddy]]'' (2022) in Panchgani.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kartik Aaryan... |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kartik-aaryan-loses-way-in-panchgani-cop-chooses-to-take-selfie-instead-watch-101632060752070.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|1}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Mahabaleshwar}}
* {{wikitravel}}
*[http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/destination/mahabaleshwar Mahabaleshwar page of Maharashtra Tourism website]
*{{Commons-inline}}


==Further reading==
{{Western Ghats}}
*[https://www.sahyadribooks.org/books/TheOtherMahabaleshwar.aspx?bid=2166 The other Mahabaleshwar by Dhruti Vaidya]


{{Western Ghats}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Maharashtra]]
{{Satara district topics}}
[[Category:Indian hill stations]]
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Mahabaleshwar]]
[[bn:মহাবালেশ্বর]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Satara district]]
[[es:Mahabaleshwar]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Maharashtra]]
[[bpy:মহাবালেশ্বর]]
[[Category:Tourism in Maharashtra]]
[[new:महाबलेश्वर]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]
[[sv:Mahabaleswar]]
[[Category:1839 establishments in British India]]
[[ta:மஹாபலீஸ்வர்]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 22 December 2024

Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is located in Maharashtra
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is located in India
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar
Coordinates: 17°55′30″N 73°39′27″E / 17.9250°N 73.6575°E / 17.9250; 73.6575
Country India
StateMaharashtra
DistrictSatara District
Area
 • Total
137.15 km2 (52.95 sq mi)
Elevation
1,353 m (4,439 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
12,737
 • Density93/km2 (240/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMarathi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Sex ratio90 females/ 100 males /
Literacy Rate78%

Mahabaleshwar (pronunciation) 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.[1] The British colonial rulers developed the town as a hill station, and it served as the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj.

Geography

[edit]

Mahabaleshwar is located on the mountainous Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats that run North to south along the western coast of India. The coordinates of the town are 17°55′30″N 73°39′27″E / 17.9250°N 73.6575°E / 17.9250; 73.6575.[2] Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau measuring 150 km2 (58 sq mi), bound by valleys on all sides. It reaches a height of 1,439 m (4,721 ft) at its highest peak above sea level, known as Wilson/Sunrise Point. The town is about 122 km (76 mi) southwest of Pune and 285 km (177 mi) from Mumbai.

Mahabaleshwar comprises three villages: Malcolm Peth, Old "Kshetra" Mahabaleshwar, and part of the Shindola village. The Mahabaleshwar region is the source of the Krishna River that flows east across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh towards the Bay of Bengal. Three tributaries of Krishna, namely Koyna, Venna (Veni) and Gayatri, also have their source in Mahabaleshwar region. A fourth river, the Savitri, also has its source in the region, but flows Westward via Mahad to the Arabian Sea.[3][4]

The area's climate is suitable for cultivation of strawberries; Mahabaleshwar strawberry contributes to about 85 percent of the total strawberry production in the country.[5][6][7][8] It also received the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2010.[9]

Panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar

Climate

[edit]

Mahabaleshwar has a borderline tropical monsoon/humid subtropical climate (Köppen Am/Cwa). Very heavy rainfall is a normal occurrence during monsoons. During July, 10–12 days of continuous rains with 100 to 200 mm or 4 to 8 in each day occur each year. There were reports of ice and ground frost formation around Venna Lake in 2018.[10][11] On August 7, 2019, Mahabaleshwar recorded 330 mm or 12.99 in of rain in 24 hours causing landslides.[12] Mahabaleshwar has been described as the "New Candidate for the wettest place in the world", the title currently held by Cherrapunji.[13]

Climate data for Mahabaleshwar (1991–2020, extremes 1932–2020). Mahabaleshwar's summers are colder than spring, fall and winter.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.4
(90.3)
33.9
(93.0)
35.9
(96.6)
37.6
(99.7)
37.4
(99.3)
34.8
(94.6)
31.7
(89.1)
29.6
(85.3)
29.2
(84.6)
31.9
(89.4)
32.0
(89.6)
31.0
(87.8)
37.6
(99.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 26.4
(79.5)
28.1
(82.6)
31.0
(87.8)
32.1
(89.8)
30.5
(86.9)
23.8
(74.8)
20.1
(68.2)
19.7
(67.5)
21.8
(71.2)
25.8
(78.4)
25.9
(78.6)
26.1
(79.0)
26.0
(78.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 13.4
(56.1)
14.7
(58.5)
17.3
(63.1)
18.9
(66.0)
18.4
(65.1)
17.6
(63.7)
17.1
(62.8)
16.8
(62.2)
16.3
(61.3)
16.3
(61.3)
15.2
(59.4)
13.9
(57.0)
16.3
(61.3)
Record low °C (°F) 5.6
(42.1)
3.9
(39.0)
7.7
(45.9)
11.1
(52.0)
12.5
(54.5)
12.0
(53.6)
12.2
(54.0)
11.3
(52.3)
10.5
(50.9)
10.0
(50.0)
7.4
(45.3)
6.4
(43.5)
3.9
(39.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 1.0
(0.04)
0.5
(0.02)
6.1
(0.24)
20.1
(0.79)
46.1
(1.81)
958.4
(37.73)
2,197.4
(86.51)
1,806.9
(71.14)
657.4
(25.88)
157.6
(6.20)
25.1
(0.99)
5.9
(0.23)
5,882.6
(231.60)
Average rainy days 0.1 0.1 0.5 1.4 3.4 19.9 29.7 29.1 19.1 8.0 2.0 0.4 113.8
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 49 39 41 51 67 92 98 98 94 76 64 56 69
Source 1: India Meteorological Department[14][15]
Source 2: Government of Maharashtra[16]

History

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On the outskirts of Mahabaleshwar, towards Panchgani.

Legend says that a Yadava ruler from 13th century built a small temple and water tank at the source of the river Krishna.[17] The Valley of Jawali, the area around Mahabaleshwar, was ruled by the More (clan) who were vassals of the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. In 1656, the founder of Maratha empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji, killed the then ruler of Valley of Javali, Chandrarao More, and seized the area.[18][19] Around that time Shivaji also built a hill fort near Mahabaleshwar called Pratapgad fort.[20][21]

British colonial era

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Map of the region (1881)
Panchaganga temple in Old Mahabaleshwar, 1850s

In 1819, after the demise of the Maratha empire, the British ceded the hills around Mahabaleshwar to the vassal state of Satara. Colonel Lodwick (Later General Sir Lodwick) after climbing the mountains near Mahabaleshwar, recommended the place as a sanatorium for the British forces to governor Sir John Malcolm of Bombay presidency. The Raja of Satara was granted other villages in exchange for the British getting Mahabaleshwar in 1828.[22] In old records Mahabaleshwar was even called Malcolm Peth after the governor.[23]

Mahabaleshwar started gaining prominence when British officials of the Bombay presidency such as Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone, Arthur Malet (for whom the seat at "Point Arthur" is named), Carnac, and many others became regular visitors. Venna Lake was constructed in 1842 to collect water from perennial springs; the Venna River flows from this lake.[24] Bartley Frere, the commissioner of Satara in the 1850s, built the road from Satara to Mahabaleshwar.[25] In the mid 1800s, Mahabaleshwar was made into the summer capital of the Bombay presidency.[26] Government spending led to rapid development of the area.

Colonial officials spent part of their year in the area. Their wives spent a longer period of the year in the area to be with their children in local boarding schools in Mahabaleshwar and nearby Panchgani.[27][28] The British rulers wanted to recreate the English landscape in the hill stations and to that end, European flora such as strawberries[29] were introduced in Mahabaleshwar, and amenities such as libraries, theatres, boating lakes, and sports grounds were constructed.[30]

Added to the scores of magnificent scenic "points", the perennial springs, streams, and waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar plateau, with its year round superb climate, drew the English and others to Mahabaleshwar. By the end of the 19th century it had become an attractive popular hill station of world renown. Raj Bhavan, the summer residence of the Governor of Maharashtra, is also located here. An older building named "The Terraces" was purchased in 1884 and rechristened as Giri Darshan in 1886.[31]

"Babington House", is a colonial-style bungalow built in the shape of a cross with a deep veranda, elaborate metal work railing and extensive outhouses. It was formerly one of the country seats of the Dubash family, a Parsi ship chandler dynasty from Bombay, before they sold it to the Rahejas in the early 1970s. It contains a central dining room with a 24-seater table and a library pavilion with 1st edition books collected by the Dubash family, notably Jamsetjee "Jimmy" Kavasjee Dubash, a bibliophile and art collector.[citation needed]

Demographics

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As of 2011 India census,[32] Mahabaleshwar had a population of 12,737. Males constituted 55% of the population and females 45%. Mahabaleshwar had an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy was 84%, and female literacy was 71%. In Mahabaleshwar, 11% of the population was at that time under 6 years of age. 90% of population speaks Marathi language.

Transport

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Rail

[edit]

Nearest railway station to Mahabaleshwar is Satara, 60 km. Nearby major railway stations include Pune (120 km), Sangli railway station (170 km). State-run bus services are available in these locations to Mahabaleshwar. Rail station Diwan Khavati on Kokan Railway near Khed gives a route of 60 km via Poladpur to Mahabaleshwar.

Air

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The nearest airport is Pune International Airport, serving the city of Pune, 120 km from Mahabaleshwar. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport of Mumbai is 270 km.

Tourism

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Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra. Attractions include many hill side look out points with views of surrounding hills, valleys and forests such as Bombay Point, Arthur Seat, Kates Point, Lodwick-Wilson Point, and Elphinston Point. Wilson Point is the only location in Mahabaleshwar where both the sunrise and sunset can be seen. The town also has a man-made lake dating back to British era called Venna Lake. The lake is a popular place for boating. It is surrounded by a market and food stalls that are popular with the tourists.[33] Other attractions include the Lingmala waterfall. Old Mahabaleshwar is a place of pilgrimage with its Mahadeo temple. The temple is the source of the five rivers Krishna, Koyna, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri.[34] Being a relatively cool place, many temperate region crops such as strawberries, raspberries, and mulberries have been grown in Mahabaleshwar and surrounding hills. Principal amongst these crops is Strawberries. Strawberry plantations, and the produce they offer are also a popular tourist activity. The Mahabaleshwar strawberry was granted the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2010.[35][9][36] As a popular tourist destination, Mahabaleshwar has hotels and accommodation to suit different budgets.[37]

Pratapgad

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A popular place to visit is the historic fort of Pratapgad built by Chatrapati Shivaji. It is the site of the encounter between Shivaji Maharaj and Bijapur general, Afzal Khan, where the latter was defeated and killed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.[38] There are small shops, restaurants and a handicrafts store. Many schools also arrange educational trips to the fort. The fort is also on many trekking routes of the area.[39]

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[edit]

Movies filmed in Mahabaleshwar include Raj Kapoor's Barsaat (1949),[40]Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anupama (1966)[41][42] and Basu Chatterji's Chitchor (1976).[43] In December 2020, some scenes of RRR (2022) were filmed around Mahabaleshwar, notably scenes involving Alia Bhatt.[44] Some scenes of the Kannada film Vikrant Rona (2022), starring Sudeepa, were filmed around the hill station. Other hill stations such as Panchgani and Wai are also popular filming locations. For example, in 2021 Kartik Aaryan filmed the movie Freddy (2022) in Panchgani.[45]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Talbot, Ian (2016). A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas. Yale University Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-300-19694-8. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Falling Rain Genomics, Mahabaleshwar". Archived from the original on 3 May 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
  3. ^ Balasubramanian, Lalitha (30 August 2017). Temples in Maharashtra: A Travel Guide. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-947697-88-1.
  4. ^ Puri, G. S., & Mahajan, S. D. (1960). The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo, 2(1-2), 109-137.[1]
  5. ^ Kasabe, Nanda (18 February 2012). "Growing demand for strawberries in domestic market". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  6. ^ Kshirsagar, Alka (16 January 2012). "Mahabaleshwar set for good strawberry season". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  7. ^ Mahableshwar-where strawberries grow:https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/mahabaleshwar--where-strawberries-grow/1757666 Archived 18 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Strawberry fields forever:https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/unwind/strawberry-fields-forever/articleshow/74419558.cms Archived 18 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b Joshi, Hrishikesh (14 May 2010). "Mahabaleshwar strawberry gets GI status". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  10. ^ "Cold wave grips parts of India: Delhi continues to freeze; Nagpur gets colder than Shimla; Pune records coldest morning in 18 years". Firstpost. 30 December 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  11. ^ "In-pics: Maharashtra's Mahabaleshwar witnesses frozen dew drops". Hindustan Times. 8 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  12. ^ Dighe, Sandip; Joshi, Satyajit (7 August 2019). "Stay off roads to Mahabaleshwar, heavy rain floods Satara, Sangli districts too". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Mahabaleshwar: New Candidate for Wettest Place on Earth". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Station: Mahabaleshwar Climatological Table 1981–2010". Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 457–458. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M145. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  16. ^ "Climate". Government of Maharashtra. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  17. ^ Gundawar, P., Sinha, D.K. and Wable, P., 2008. A critical investigation of motivating factors responsible for increase in pleasure tourism at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Conference on Tourism in India – Challenges Ahead, 15–17 May 2008, IIMK [2] Archived 20 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Farooqui, Salma Ahmed (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. p. 317. ISBN 978-81-317-3202-1.
  19. ^ Chakrabarty, Dipesh (2015). The Calling of History: Sir Jadunath Sarkar and His Empire of Truth. University of Chicago Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-226-24024-4. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  20. ^ Gordon, Stewart (1 February 2007). The Marathas 1600-1818. Cambridge University Press. pp. 62–. ISBN 978-0-521-03316-9. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  21. ^ Puri, G.S. and Mahajan, S.D., 1960. The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo-The Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India, 2(1-2), pp.109-137.[3] Archived 2 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ Kulkarni, Sumitra (1995). The Satara Raj, 1818-1848: A Study in History, Administration, and Culture. Mittal Publications. pp. 174–177. ISBN 978-81-7099-581-4. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  23. ^ Dane Keith Kennedy (1 January 1996). The Magic Mountains: Hill Stations and the British Raj. University of California Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-520-20188-0. Archived from the original on 31 December 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  24. ^ Puri, G.S. and Mahajan, S.D., 1960. The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo, 2(1-2), pp.109-137.[4] Archived 13 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Ranade, Rekha (1990). Sir Bartle Frere and His Times: A Study of His Bombay Years, 1862-1867. Mittal Publications. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-81-7099-222-6. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  26. ^ Knight, Lionel (2012). Britain in India, 1858-1947. Anthem Press. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-85728-517-1. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  27. ^ Baker, K., 2009. The changing tourist gaze in India’s hill stations: from the early nineteenth century to the present. Environment, Politics and Development Working Paper Series. London: Department of Geography, King’s College. Available online: http://www Archived 2 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine. kcl. ac. uk/schools/sspp/geography/research/epd/working. html.[5]
  28. ^ Burns, Peter M.; Palmer, Cathy; Jo-Anne Lester; Baker, Kathleen (2010). Tourism and Visual Culture Theories and concepts. CABI. pp. 2, 5, 11. ISBN 978-1-84593-609-9. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  29. ^ "Mahabaleshwar strawberry gets GI status". Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  30. ^ Dossal, Mariam; Maloni, Ruby (1999). State Intervention and Popular Response: Western India in the Nineteenth Century. Popular Prakashan. pp. 32–34. ISBN 978-81-7154-855-2. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  31. ^ "The History of Raj Bhavan, Mumbai". Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  32. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  33. ^ Gundawar, P., Sinha, D.K. and Wable, P., 2008. A critical investigation of motivating factors responsible for increase in pleasure tourism at panchgani and Mahabaleshwar.Conference on Tourism in India – Challenges Ahead, 15–17 May 2008, IIMK [6] Archived 22 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ Chavan, R. and Bhola, S.S., 2014. A Perceived image of Hill Stations of the Satara District, Maharashtra-by Domestic Tourist. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research (IJMSSR), 3(10).
  35. ^ Kanan Chandra, Kavita (11 May 2012). "Berry bounty". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  36. ^ "India's strawberry fields". The Tribune. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  37. ^ Gunaji, M. (2010). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan.pp=135-138 [7]
  38. ^ Gunaji, Milind (2010). Offbeat tracks in Maharashtra (2nd ed.). Mumbai: Popular Prakashan. pp. 43–44. ISBN 9788179915783.
  39. ^ Kapadia, Harish (2003). Trek the Sahyadris (5. ed.). New Delhi: Indus Publ. pp. 144–146. ISBN 9788173871511.
  40. ^ Nanda, R. and Kapūra, R., 2002. Raj Kapoor Speaks. Penguin Books India.
  41. ^ Singh, J.A., 2016. The World of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Penguin UK.
  42. ^ The Sound of Silence Indian Express, March 15, 2015.
  43. ^ Arya, K.K. and Verma, M., A Navarasa-based Analysis of Love (Sringa-ra) in Middle Cinema’s Chitchor versus Do-mestic Drama’s Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon.ISSN 2319-5339 IIS Univ.J.A. Vol.10 (2), 310–27 (2021)
  44. ^ "Alia Bhatt Finally Joins 'RRR' Cast for Shoot in Mahabaleshwar". News 18.
  45. ^ "Kartik Aaryan..." Hindustan Times.
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Further reading

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