Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra remains one of the few unspoilt hill stations in India. Well-connected by road from Mumbai, Pune and Satara, it makes an ideal weekend getaway for the stressed city traveler or a longer serene holiday during school vacations.
Situated in the Sahayadri spurs, at a height of 1438m (4710ft) above sea level, its dense woods, waterfalls, lake, rivers and ravines are enchanting. Watching the sunrise or sunset from one of the "points" can be a romantic experience.
Mahabaleshwar derives its name from the Mahabali temple situated in old Mahabaleshwar, about 4km away from the main city. The 5 holy rivers Krishna, Venna, Koyana, Savitri and Gayatri have their origins here.
The climate of Mahabaleshwar is pleasant all year through. Due to its proximity to the Arabian Sea and high altitude, it neither gets too hot nor too cold. During the summers temperature raises to a maximum of only 30 degrees and during the winters it goes down to 16 degrees. October to June is the best time to visit Mahabaleshwar. The monsoon (mid June to September) in Mahabaleshwar is damp and wet and it receives very high rainfall.