[ARAY]

It was just last week that Punto glided on the beautiful tarmac towards Goa.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...rabad-goa.html

We had plans of visiting Mahabaleshwar for a long time, something or the other kept us busy. After the recent Goa trip I was not done with the Western Ghats. Well 8th April was Ugadi and what better ways to celebrate. My kid who had already done West Bengal to Hyderabad at the age of 6 months was always game for long drives.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...d-asansol.html









Given the heat wave in the region I decided for a late start post dinner. After dinner we started at 11pm on 7th April. Took the route via ORR and dived onto NH9 with high hopes of long newly laid stretches. I was so wrong! 100kms into the journey and I had already crossed 20+ diversions. One way and the Volvos overtaking from all possible direction honking like Mad Max! I was not very happy. Instead of cribbing, started tailgating a Toyota Innova. The Innova owner had a “Live to Drive” and sure he did drive well. Kept a steady pace. This went on for a couple of hours when the Innova went for a pit stop. We decided to roll on, it was well past 2am and the traffic condition was better. The extra Hellas upfront were of massive help with oncoming one way traffic. Punto did well we reached Sholapur at 4:45am. Took a short 20 mins break and embraced Google map.







The plan for Mahabaleshwar was a family trip plus a small union of schoolmates who stayed in Pune/Mumbai area. Schoolmate and fellow Bhpian Suryaonwheelz suggested me to take the route to Mahabaleshwar via Baramati. Sholapur to Baramati was done early in the morning, although it was one was we could maintain a steady speed. Reached Baramati at 8am. Stopped for a short break as In-laws were travelling along. The road condition from Sholapur to Baramati is average. Do watch out for sharp bends at night and small humps if missed, rattles a monocoque.







From Baramati to Mahabaleshwar was again one way but given it was a holiday in Maharashtra as well, traffic was nominal. We stopped somewhere in between to have Misal Pav. Being a Bengali I randomly assumed that 2 Pavs won’t be enough but I was so mistaken. Punto glided through the Ghats and finally we reached Mahabaleshwar at 10:30am.
We had put up at J’s Excellency as few of my friends recommended it for car parking and kid’s swimming pool.



After freshening up I went for a power-nap. 2 Hours later headed for famous Mapro Garden. The awesomeness of the location and the strawberry fields behind made me hungrier.
For the foodie Bhpians here goes the menu. Fresh Strawberry crème was absolutely mind blowing.







After an elaborate lunch we had still some time left for heading out to few places. We headed for Panchgani and Table Land. Punto was doing its round and boy was I impressed with handling at the Ghats. Punto is my daily drive and it keeps me happy, on the ghats it made me smile even more.



On the way we went to few strawberry farms, do note you are not allowed on all. Please ask the locals before entering.









Map of Mahabaleshwar, not very detailed but I found it useful.



Total Distance traveled : 620kms
Total time : 12 hours approx
Road condition - Hyderabad -Sholapur (widening of road in progress, Diversions, bad patches)
Sholapur - Mahabaleshwar (one way , average )



Day 2 coming up next.

[ARAY]

Day2 started early morning. We headed for Mahabaleshwar temple. You could use the map below that I got from the hotel for reference. The temple was decently crowded and the premises were well maintained.
The temple is made of 3 structures. Mahabaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the important pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. Situated in the Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, which is about 6 km north of the main city. Built in the 16th century by the Chanda Rao More dynasty. Enclosed by a 5 ft high stone wall, this temple is divided into two areas, the sanctum sanctorum and the central hall. Swayambhu, which is the 500 years old self-originated lingam, is enshrined within the sanctum sanctorum. This self-originated lingam is in the shape of Rudraksha and is called Mahalingam, which is considered to be superior to the twelve Jyothir Lingams.Lord Shiva’s trishul, Rudraksha, damru and a bed which are around 300 years old, are kept inside this temple. Moreover, the temple also comprises a square shaped raised platform. According to the legend, the Maratha ruler, Shivaji weighed his mother Jijabai in gold at this platform and then gave away the gold in charity.



Punto at the temple parking.



After shopping at the outlets nearby we headed for Kate’s Point which is roughly 8kms from the temple parking. The viewpoint has been named after Kate, daughter of Sir John Malcom, founder of Mahabaleshwar. It shows an excellent view of river Krishna and Dhom Dam.







The great valley that lies beneath.







Famous Three Monkey Mountain, frankly I was not sure what I was looking at.



Later in the day we headed for Arthur’s Seat/Castle Rock/Elphinstone point. All of them share almost the same type of landscape, we were in Mahabaleshwar and we wanted to see em all! Do note that the road from Arthur’s Point to Elphinstone is a small road going inside. However most of the time was spent at Arthur’s. The place is named after Officer Sir Arthur Malet (1806–1888), who sat here and gazed at the Savitri River, where he lost his wife and children in a tragic ferry mishap.
The place has 2 viewpoints with a stone road going from inside, half a kilometer walk along the valley.





View from atop Elephants head also known as Needle hole point.





Honorable mention, A horse named Facebook !



A small lake enroute Mapro for Lunch.



Just few hours were left for us to visit Pratapgarh fort before it was sunset and too late. Punto said we could do it, well it did that like a charm! Here’s a video of the road to Pratapgarh Fort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APLnmdip75Q

The Maratha king Shivaji commissioned Moropant Trimbak Pingle to undertake the construction of this fort in order to defend the banks of the Nira and the Koyna rivers. It was completed in 15th century.The Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan was fought below the rampants of this fort on November 10, 1659. Pratapgad continued to be involved in regional politics. Local guides confirmed that Afzal Khan's Body was ket at Pratapgarh while his Head was taken to Raigarh Fort close by.

Entrance to the Fort.





The secret Gate to the Temple that was used by Sivaji.



Few weapons of that era, our Guide said the warriors could bend these with their bare hands, not very sure though.

[ARAY]

After Pratapgarh it was time to head back to the hotel and later in the evening Visit my classmates. While rest of my folks focused towards shopping at local market that was close by where we checked in.
Fellow Bhpian Suryaonwheelz ride.



While returning I had Punto took to the ghats again. I was happy for the trip but sad when I would get to drive the Punto in the Ghats.





The return journey was equally fun and we made it back to Hyderabad at 1am.



Pitstop somewhere near Sholapur.



Given the road condition Hyderabad-Sholapur, rest of the route is straightforward and average. When we started it was showing 34-38°C but once we reached Mahabaleshwar, Punto never showed a temperature above 32°C .
Hope my experience helps fellow travelers.
Happy driving at the GHATS !

[surjaonwheelz]

Thanks mate! It was an awesome meet...
Could you capture the night drive to Baghdad point? It would've been great in the pitch black darkness!

Happy tripping

[F150]

Excellent travelogue and an interesting route thru Baramati.
Which hotel did you stop at , that was very near to the market ?

[LoneRidder]

Lovely travelogue! Like last time, your pictures are very captivating! Mahabaleshwar has lot to see, I always assume its just a temple town!

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Nice travelogue.
From Baramati to Mahabaleshwar, which route you followed? Via Phaltan or via Nira - Lonand - khandala?

[afunnynut]

@aray this is one well written travelogue! The droolworthy pics are the icing on the cake! Thank you for your efforts and wishing you many more miles of travel and blogs! Keep inspiring!

[YoungSaint]

Great trip! I stay in Pune and go to Mahabaleshwar almost 2 -3 times a year. Most of the times, I drive during monsoon- December. That is the time when you get captivated by its beauty. Do drive around that time as well! It is a peak season time but you would know why it is peak season during that time of the year!

[SyncNest]

I did this last December. Hyderabad to Pune. Stayed near Hinjewadi so I got to hit the highway early in the morning. Mahabaleshwar is awesome in December. Strawberries are plentiful.

But the road to Sholapur has to change. Really stressful. It's painful to drive back. When driving to Pune it was fine - I had something to look forward to. Driving home was just me wishing someone else would take the wheel and put me to sleep. I just wanted it to go away. Terrible road

[pduttaghy]

Great Road trip. It seems you are getting addicted to the Ghats.

[D33-PAC]

Is Mahabaleshwar INdia's Grand Canyon ? IS that it ? Is that the only claim to fame ?

[ARAY]

Originally Posted by F150

Excellent travelogue and an interesting route thru Baramati.
Which hotel did you stop at , that was very near to the market ?

J's Excellency ,yes its just at the edge of the market, we chose it because of the car parking and a swimming pool.

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

Nice travelogue.
From Baramati to Mahabaleshwar, which route you followed? Via Phaltan or via Nira - Lonand - khandala?

Here the route that we took, it was via Lonand

Originally Posted by YoungSaint

Great trip! I stay in Pune and go to Mahabaleshwar almost 2 -3 times a year. Most of the times, I drive during monsoon- December. That is the time when you get captivated by its beauty. Do drive around that time as well! It is a peak season time but you would know why it is peak season during that time of the year!

Yes, I am not done with Mahabaleshwar

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

Thanks mate! It was an awesome meet...
Could you capture the night drive to Baghdad point? It would've been great in the pitch black darkness!

Happy tripping

Thanks Mate , here you go, though 6s did not do any justice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKeAGPFc1l8

[forester]

What a wonderful journey there, ARAY! The pictures are absolutely stunning & capture the beauty of the landscape in such a rich manner.

That lip smacking strawberry creme alone is enough to push me to take the GQ & head down there to devour it!

A very lovely log indeed.

[joelchandra]

Great Travelogue. It was nostalgic to see this place in pics again. Nostalgic because, we had a similar trip in Punto from Pune and chose a very similar plan as your's.

Did you miss boating in the Lake at Mahabaleshwar. Also, what was the temperature like in Mahabaleshwar when you visited in the last week of March?