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Mahabaleshwar (pronunciation (help·info)) is a small town and a municipal council in Satara district, Maharashtra, India. It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus because Krishna river has its origin here.[1] The British colonial rulers developed the town as a hill station, and served as the summer capital of Bombay Presidency during the British Raj.

Mahabaleshwar
Hill station
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar
Coordinates: 17.9250°N 73.6575°E / 17.9250; 73.6575
Country India
StateMaharashtra
DistrictSatara District
Area
 • Total137.15 km2 (52.95 sq mi)
Elevation
1,353 m (4,439 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total12,737
 • Density93/km2 (240/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialMarathi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Sex ratio90 females/ 100 males ♀/♂
Literacy Rate78%

Geography


Mahabaleshwar is located on the mountainous Sahyadri range of the Western ghats that run North to south along western coast of India. The coordinates of the town are 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.

Mahabaleshwar region is the source of the Krishna River that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana 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 by Savitri. Also, its tributaries Venna and Koyna are said to be Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma themselves. 3 other rivers come out from the cow's mouth apart from Krishna and they all travel some distance before merging into Krishna which flows East towards the Bay of Bengal.[3] These rivers are the Koyna, Venna (Veni) and Gayatri. The Savitri river flows Westward via Mahad to the Arabian Sea.

Climate of the area is suitable for cultivation of strawberries, Mahabaleshwar strawberry contributes to about 85 percent of the total strawberry production in the country.[4][5][6][7] It also received the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2010.[8]

Panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar
Panoramic view of Mahabaleshwar

Climate


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 [9][10] On August 7, 2019 Mahabaleshwar recorded 330 mm or 12.99 in of rain in 24 hours causing landslides.[11] Mahabaleshwar has been described as the "New Candidate for the wettest place in the world", the title currently held by Cherrapunji.[12]

Climate data for Mahabaleshwar (1991–2020, extremes 1932–2011)
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)		 25.2
(77.4)		 29.2
(84.6)		 31.9
(89.4)		 32.0
(89.6)		 31.0
(87.8)		 37.6
(99.7)
Average high °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)
Average low °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[13][14]
Source 2: Government of Maharashtra[15]

History


On the outskirts of Mahabaleshwar, towards Panchgani.
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.[16] The area around Mahabaleshwar called the Vale of Jawali was ruled by the More (clan) who were vassals of the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. In 1656, the founder of Maratha empire, Chatrapati Shri Shivaji Maharaj on account of political circumstances, killed the then ruler of vale of Javali, Chandrarao More, and seized that area.[17][18] Around that time Shivaji also built a hill fort near Mahabaleshwar called Pratapgad fort.[19][20]


British colonial era


Map of the region (1881)
Map of the region (1881)

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.[21] In old records Mahabaleshwar was even called as Malcolm Peth after the governor.[22] Mahabaleshwar started gaining prominence when British officials of Bombay presidency such as in 1828, and later Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone, Arthur Malet (for whom the seat at "Point Arthur" is named), Carnac, and many others became regular visitors. A lake called Venna lake was constructed in 1842 to collect water from perennial springs. The Venna river flows from this lake.[23] Bartley Frere, the commissioner of Satara in 1850s built the road from Satara to Mahabaleshwar.[24] In mid 1800s, Mahabaleshwar was made into summer capital of Bombay presidency.[25] Government spending led to rapid development of the area. Colonial officials spent part of their year in the area. Their wives spent longer period to be with their children in local boarding schools in Mahabaleshwar and nearby Panchgani.[26][27] The British rulers wanted to recreate the English landscape in the hill stations and to that end, European flora such as strawberries[28] were introduced in Mahabaleshwar, and amenities such as libraries, theatres, boating lakes, and sports grounds constructed.[29]

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.[30]


Demographics


As of 2011 India census,[31] 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



Road


Mahabaleshwar is 32 km from Wai. It is 260 km from Mumbai, the state capital. The nearest major city is Satara, 45 km and it is 120 km from Pune and 263 km from Mumbai thane Mahabaleshwar is connected by the National Highway 4. Bus services by state-run MSRTC and private organizations connect it to Pune, Mumbai, Sangli and Satara.


Rail


Nearest railroad is Satara, 60 km. Nearby major railway junctions include Pune (120 km), and Miraj (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


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.


References


  1. Ian Talbot (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. 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.
  5. Kshirsagar, Alka (16 January 2012). "Mahabaleshwar set for good strawberry season". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  6. Mahableshwar-where strawberries grow:https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/mahabaleshwar--where-strawberries-grow/1757666 Archived 18 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Strawberry fields forever:https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/unwind/strawberry-fields-forever/articleshow/74419558.cms Archived 18 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Joshi, Hrishikesh (14 May 2010). "Mahabaleshwar strawberry gets GI status". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  9. "Cold wave grips parts of India: Delhi continues to freeze; Nagpur gets colder than Shimla; Pune records coldest morning in 18 years - India News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 30 December 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  10. "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.
  11. 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.
  12. "Mahabaleshwar: New Candidate for Wettest Place on Earth". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  13. "Station: Mahabaleshwar Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 457–458. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  14. "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.
  15. "Climate". Government of Maharashtra. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  16. 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 Archived 20 April 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  17. Farooqui, A Comprehensive History of Medieval India 2011, p. 317.
  18. 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.
  19. Stewart Gordon (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.
  20. 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. Archived 2 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine
  21. Sumitra Kulkarni (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.
  22. 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.
  23. Puri, G.S. and Mahajan, S.D., 1960. The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo, 2(1-2), pp.109-137. Archived 13 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  24. Rekha Ranade (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.
  25. Lionel Knight (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.
  26. 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.
  27. Peter M. Burns; Cathy Palmer; Jo-Anne Lester; Kathleen Baker (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.
  28. "Mahabaleshwar strawberry gets GI status". Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  29. Mariam Dossal; Ruby Maloni (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.
  30. "The History of Raj Bhavan, Mumbai". Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  31. "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.


Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Mahabaleshwar.

Further reading




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