This is the highest hill sta¬tion in western India. It was summer capital of the British Governors of Bombay. Mahabaleshwar in the Rainy season, it averages between 200 and 300 inches a year.
A colonel Lodwick, Later General, takes the palm as the first European to climb these hills, clam¬bering around, the story goes, with a walking-stick and one dog. Lord wick felt so exhilarated that he sent a letter extrlling these cool and sce¬nic heights to the Bombay courier, now is rewarded with a monyment on LODWICK POINT.
Sir .iohon Malcolm took the hint and in 1828 established a sana¬torium for the sick and a resort for the healthy by acquiring the land from the Raja of Satara in lieu of other lerriory. Boy Malcolm as he was called, Relished hunting for ti¬ger and other game so much that the now town as originally named Malcolmpeth in his honour. When Pune becomes impossibly hot in May. Every one tries to get away to Mahabaleshwar.
At 1,372 meters above sea level, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most spectacular and the largest of Maharashtra's hill-stations. Mahabaleshwar is Sanskrit fro God of Great Power. The first Briton to set foot here was Sir Charles Malet in 1791. Under General Peter Lodwick and Sir John Malcolm, the governor of Bombay, a sanitarium was built in 1828. Mahabaleshwar was then considered a British territory and was named 'Malcolm Peth' for some years. The bazaar is still named so. John Malcolm was completely taken in by the hill-station. Under British rule, roads were built, following which resorts quickly sprang up. Bungalows, churches and the Mahabaleshwar Club was built. A Polo ground and race course were opened. In the 19th century, as soon as the sanitarium was founded, an open jail reformatory center was established. Convicts from China and Malaysia were stationed here. They were involved in constructing roads, grinding cornflour, maintaining potato cultivation's and other vegetable gardens in the English resorts. Now, the Public Works Department bungalow stands on the site of the prison. Mahabaleshwar was the summer capital of the Governor of the old Bombay Presidency. The Britishers built various mansions, Cottages and bunglows around the town, lending it a charming, sophistication.
The place is popular with tourists, especially from Mumbai and Pune, wanting to take a break from the rush of the rat race. The hill-station is very crowded during vacations like Christmas and Diwali and in summers.
In Mahableshwar honey and strawberry crushes and jams are very famous. The place also has a wide variety of chikki (a famous local sweet).
The MTDC Resort covers 30-40 acres of prime land. The rooms overlook a thick forest. Branches dip below the windows and bridsong wakes you every morning.
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