Strawberries cherries and an angel’s kiss in spring …

That is exactly what Mahabaleshwar is all about in the Indian summer! A place to escape the torrid heat , a place to romance strawberries and mulberries, a place to cool off in the thunderous hailstorms that shower the hot tin roofs and plunge the temperatures for lovers to revel in!

Pic : Deepak

Mahabaleshwar has something for all – young and old, trekker and stroller, shopper and foodie or maybe someone who just loves to laze around. You will find a medley of people – families, backpackers, moony honeymooners, all doing their own thing and soaking in the atmosphere .

We spent a lazy afternoon in the market. Rows of strawberries, mulberries and chick peas beckoned us as we set out to do a recce of the restaurants in the area. There were quite a few vegetarian restaurants and a couple of restaurants serving non-vegetarian fare. We settled for a moghlai lunch. It was okay, nothing to write about, just about average.

Pic : Deepak

On the way back , we saw a board directing towards Lodwick point. Though we were not very keen on visiting many points as had been there done that, on an impulse, got onto the road towards Lodwick point. It is named after a General, the first European to set foot on the Mahabaleshwar hills, who reached this point in 1824. A monument has been erected in his memory.

Pic : Deepak

Beyond Lodwick Point is the extreme end of the mountain range known as Elephant’s Head. From Lodwick point, the overhanging cliff looks like an elephant’s head and trunk, and hence the name. The views were breathtaking.

Suddenly, the sky started filling up with dark rain clouds prompting us to beat a hasty retreat. We had just entered our cottage, and were treated to a heavy hailstorm, which lasted for about half an hour. This effectively brought down the ambient temperature to a very pleasant level.

The options of early morning activities are numerous, ranging from walking, jogging to horse riding or just plain strolling . On the other hand, there is Wilson point where one can go to catch the sunrise. Actually all points, numbering 30, are within a radius of ten kms and all motorable with a bit of walking now and then.

In old Mahabaleshwar, there is the Shri Shankar Mandir. The Mahalinga of lord Shiva is in the form of Rudraksha and believed to be ‘self-bodied’ (swayambhoo). It is called Trigunatmaka, meaning Brahma-Visnhu-Mahesh are on it forever. On the head of the Mahalinga, you see the marks of the five holy rivers (Panchaganga). Shivaji weighed his mother Jeejabai against gold in this temple and then distributed the gold in charity. No photography at the temple.

After a visit to this temple, we drove towards ‘Arthur’s seat’ and ‘Kate’s point’. Both these points are worth a visit. Plenty of photo opportunities are provided at both these points.

For lunch, we discovered a wonderful five-table restaurant ‘Grapevine’ behind Imperial stores in the market place. It is parallel to the market street. A lovely cozy place and the only restaurant that actually serves a wide range of wines along with some delicious Italian or Thai food!

Next morning, we checked out at 0900hrs, had a leisurely breakfast at Shreyas Hotel. After some wonderful masala dosas and uttappas, we set out towards Panchgani on the way back home to Mumbai. On the way stopped at ‘Deepak strawberry farms’ and picked up some real delicious strawberries, fresh from the fields!

Pic : Deepak

The strawberries stayed with us as we returned to Mumbai where dusty roads snarling with traffic brought us home.

If anybody is interested in staying with the locals, you may visit http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/html/MaharashtraTourism/Default.aspx?strpage=../MaharashtraTourism/Bed_Breakfast/Mahabaleshwar.html for further details.

You can make your room reservation at MTDC online at http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in