Mahabaleshwar
Template:Short description Template:Use Indian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Main other{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox settlement with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y | alt | anthem | anthem_link | area_blank1_acre | area_blank1_dunam | area_blank1_ha | area_blank1_km2 | area_blank1_sq_mi | area_blank1_title | area_blank2_acre | area_blank2_dunam | area_blank2_ha | area_blank2_km2 | area_blank2_sq_mi | area_blank2_title | area_code | area_code_type | area_codes | area_footnotes | area_land_acre | area_land_dunam | area_land_ha | area_land_km2 | area_land_sq_mi | area_metro_acre | area_metro_dunam | area_metro_footnotes | area_metro_ha | area_metro_km2 | area_metro_sq_mi | area_note | area_rank | area_rural_acre | area_rural_dunam | area_rural_footnotes | area_rural_ha | area_rural_km2 | area_rural_sq_mi | area_total_acre | area_total_dunam | 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}}Template:Main other Mahabaleshwar ({{#if:Mahabaleshwar.ogg|{{#ifexist:Media:Mahabaleshwar.ogg|<phonos file="Mahabaleshwar.ogg">pronunciation</phonos>|{{errorTemplate:Main other|Audio file "Mahabaleshwar.ogg" not found}}Template:Category handler}}}}) 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">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.
GeographyEdit
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 Template:Coord.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mahabaleshwar is a vast plateau measuring Template:Cvt, bound by valleys on all sides. It reaches a height of Template:Cvt at its highest peak above sea level, known as Wilson/Sunrise Point. The town is about Template:Cvt southwest of Pune and Template:Cvt 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Puri, G. S., & Mahajan, S. D. (1960). The study of the evergreen vegetation of Mahabaleshwar area. Nelumbo, 2(1-2), 109-137.[1]</ref>
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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=good>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Mahableshwar-where strawberries grow:https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/mahabaleshwar--where-strawberries-grow/1757666 Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Strawberry fields forever:https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/unwind/strawberry-fields-forever/articleshow/74419558.cms Template:Webarchive</ref> It also received the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2010.<ref name=bstd>Template:Cite news</ref>
ClimateEdit
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 Template:Cvt each day occur each year. There were reports of ice and ground frost formation around Venna Lake in 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On August 7, 2019, Mahabaleshwar recorded Template:Cvt of rain in 24 hours causing landslides.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mahabaleshwar has been described as the "New Candidate for the wettest place in the world", the title currently held by Cherrapunji.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Weather box
HistoryEdit
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 [2] Template:Webarchive</ref> 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 Jawali, Chandrarao More, and seized the area.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Around that time Shivaji also built a hill fort near Mahabaleshwar called Pratapgad fort.<ref name="Gordon2007">Template:Cite book</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.[3] Template:Webarchive</ref>
British colonial eraEdit
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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.<ref name="Kulkarni1995">Template:Cite book</ref> In old records Mahabaleshwar was even called Malcolm Peth after the governor.<ref name="Kennedy1996">Template:Cite book</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. 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.[4] Template:Webarchive</ref> Bartley Frere, the commissioner of Satara in the 1850s, built the road from Satara to Mahabaleshwar.<ref name="Ranade1990">Template:Cite book</ref> In the mid 1800s, Mahabaleshwar was made into the summer capital of the Bombay presidency.<ref name="Knight2012">Template:Cite book</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 schools 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 Template:Webarchive. kcl. ac. uk/schools/sspp/geography/research/epd/working. html.[5]</ref><ref name="BurnsPalmer2010">Template:Cite book</ref> The British rulers wanted to recreate the English landscape in the hill stations and to that end, European flora such as strawberries<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> were introduced in Mahabaleshwar, and amenities such as libraries, theatres, boating lakes, and sports grounds were constructed.<ref name="DossalMaloni1999">Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
"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.Template:Citation needed
DemographicsEdit
Template:As of India census,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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.
TransportEdit
RailEdit
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.
AirEdit
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.
TourismEdit
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 [6] Template:Webarchive</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, 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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=bstd/><ref name=trib>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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 [7]</ref>
PratapgadEdit
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.<ref>Template:Cite book</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>Template:Cite book</ref>
Wilson PointEdit
Highest point of Mahabaleshwar stands at 1439 m. Named after Leslie Wilson the Governor of Bombay Presidency (10 Dec 1923 - 8 Dec 1928). It is a popular viewpoint offering great views especially during sunrise.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Gallery of places of interest to tourismEdit
- Mahabaleshwar (Author Abid Hasan).jpg
Panoramic view from Savitri Point, Mahabaleshwar
- Savitri river 1.jpg
A view from Arthur seat point
- Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar.jpg
The Venna lake
- Boats On Venna Lake.jpg
Boats on the Venna lake in Mahabaleshwar.
- Balakwadi Dam.jpg
Balakwadi dam viewed from Kate's Point
- Needle Hole Point Mahabaleshwar.JPG
Needle hole rock, viewed from the point
- Lingmala waterfall 1.jpg
Panoramic view of Lingamala waterfalls
In popular cultureEdit
{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B=Template:AmboxTemplate:Main other }} Movies filmed in Mahabaleshwar include Raj Kapoor's Barsaat (1949),<ref>Nanda, R. and Kapūra, R., 2002. Raj Kapoor Speaks. Penguin Books India.</ref>Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anupama (1966)<ref>Singh, J.A., 2016. The World of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Penguin UK.</ref><ref>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 (2022) were filmed around Mahabaleshwar, notably scenes involving Alia Bhatt.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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 are also popular filming locations. For example, in 2021 Kartik Aaryan filmed the movie Freddy (2022) in Panchgani.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Further readingEdit
Template:Western Ghats Template:Satara district topics Template:Authority control