Mahabaleshwar - The land of Strawberries
Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in the Satara district of Maharashtra, situated in the Western Ghats. Mahabaleshwar is well-known not just for its strawberries but also for its many rivers, breathtaking cascades, and towering peaks. Situated roughly 120 kilometres southwest of Pune and 285 km from Mumbai, it's one of the most popular weekend escapes from Pune and Mumbai.
Hindus consider Mahabaleshwar to be a hallowed pilgrimage site since it is the source of the Krishna River. The hill station of Mahabaleshwar, which was formerly the summer capital of the British, is home to historic temples, boarding schools, a well-kept, lush green forest, waterfalls, hills, and valleys. Located an hour distant, it's a popular starting point for visits to the beautiful Pratapgad Fort.
Three villages comprise Mahabaleshwar: Malcolm Peth, Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, and a portion of Shindola village.
Strawberries of Mahabaleshwar:
85% of all strawberries produced in India are produced in Mahabaleshwar, which is regarded as the centre of berry growing in the country. Along with the well-known strawberries, there are many farms along the Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar road that also grow raspberries, mulberries, and blueberries.
Mahabaleshwar The harvest season for strawberries is from October to November and from April to May. Then, these strawberries are used to make strawberry wine, strawberry jelly toffee, milkshakes, jams, ice cream, and crushes. These are readily available for purchase from any of the tourist-accessible strawberry fields in Mahabaleshwar.
How to Reach Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is close to three important cities: Pune, Mumbai, and Satara. Pune is the most accessible railway station, but Wathar, which is 60 km away, is the closest railway station to Mahabaleshwar. You can take a bus or a taxi from Pune to get to Mahabaleshwar. Since the roads are well-maintained and scenic, it is also possible to travel there straight by bus or cab from Mumbai, Thane, Satara, or other neighbouring towns.
Best time to visit Mahabaleshwar
November through February is when Mahabaleshwar is most beautiful. This is a nice time to go sightseeing because the temperature is between 10 and 24 degrees Celsius during this period. In Mahabaleshwar, this is also the primary strawberry-growing season. When the hill station turns breathtakingly green in July and August, during the monsoon season, is another excellent time to visit Mahabaleshwar. But during certain months, landslides might occur in the area.