Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in India’s forested Western Ghats range, south of Mumbai. It features several elevated viewing points, such as Arthur’s Seat. West of here is centuries-old Pratapgad Fort, perched atop a mountain spur. East, Lingmala Waterfall tumbles off a sheer cliff. Colorful boats dot Venna Lake, while 5 rivers meet at Panch Ganga Temple to the north.
Ideal Time to Visit : Peak times to visit include Dec–Jan and May–Jun. The climate is warm year-round, with a monsoon season Jun–Sep that brings heavy rains. The area is known for its strawberries and the Strawberry Festival (Easter weekend, Mar/Apr, dates vary) features strawberry-based dishes and berry-farm visits. Ganesh Chaturthi (Aug/Sep, dates vary) celebrates the birth of Hindu deity Ganesha with traditional songs, dances and sweets.
