Snuggled within the beautiful hills and valleys of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Western Ghats, the town of Mahabaleshwar, in Maharashtra, may be a rare blend of surreal beauty interspersed with colonial charm. Fondly called the Queen of Sahyadri Hills, Mahabaleshwar boasts narrow lanes flanked by pretty cottages overlooking verdant valleys; friendly shopkeepers happy to regale you with stories of old; and therefore the fragrance of strawberries that seems to permeate every breath – this is often what defines the charm and appeal of Mahabaleshwar. Several breathtaking vantage points with charming tales attached to them offer awe-inspiring views of lush mountain scenery.

A popular getaway from the cities of Pune (120 km) and Mumbai (285 km), Mahabaleshwar enjoys a pleasing climate throughout the year. it’s well-known for strawberry and mulberry farming. Several small and quaint cafes serve delicious and refreshing strawberry and cream that’s a must-try. The cream is whipped up fresh a day , and therefore the strawberries are juicy and red, plucked from the various fields that are spread across the land.

The old a part of the town still retains its former grace and boasts a Mahadev temple that features a statue of a cow.

The source of River Krishna is claimed to be the mouth of this cow. Besides, four more rivers – Koyna, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri also begin of the mouth of this cow and afterward , merge into the Krishna river. The rivers Venna and Koyna are said to be Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma who, along side Lord Vishnu, form the highly revered Hindu trinity – the three deities who are said to perform the cosmic functions of creation, preservation and destruction. And actually , the name Mahabaleshwar itself means god of world power .

Mahabaleshwar served because the summer capital of the Bombay province during British Rule, and therefore the town came into being circa 1829.