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Panchgani: “The land of the second-longest mountain plateau”
Panchgani Tourism
Panchgani is a beautiful hill town situated at an elevation of 1334 meters in Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra which is popular for its picturesque view of the surroundings. The town derives its name from the five hills that surround the region. Nestled amidst the green valleys of Sahyadri Hills, the place is known for its astounding sunset and sunrise views.
You will be mesmerized by a splendid view of hills on one side and the pleasant coastal plains on the other. The region also has a historical significance as it was used as a summer retreat by the British officials during the colonial era. As you walk past the town, you will come across various establishments constructed by the British.
More on Panchgani
A perfect weekend escapade for residents of Pune and Mumbai
The town of Panchgani is situated very close to Pune and Mumbai and hence, it serves as a perfect weekend getaway for the residents of these cities. The soothing ambience in the hills, the scenic views and the fresh air attracts a huge number of tourists throughout the year. If you are a nature lover and a photography enthusiast then this is a must-visit place.
The best place to escape the noises and hectic life of the city, this town is spread over an area of about 95 acres. There is also a plateau situated adjacent to the Panchgani Hills which is the second largest mountain plateau in the Asian Continent. The hill town was discovered in 1860 by a British official named John Chesson. In addition to the five hills, there are other interesting nearby places to visit such as Kate Point, Sydney Point and Parsi Point. The region is known to host various exciting activities such as Paragliding and camping.
History of Panchgani
The credit for the discovery of Panchgani hill town goes to the British official named John Chesson. It was during the decade of the 1860’s, the town was recognized as the summer retreat for the Britishers and simultaneously, various construction activities took place in order to equip the town with luxurious amenities. John Chesson was assigned the responsibility to find a suitable place for summer retreat and hence, played a major role in grooming the town. From improving the infrastructures and planning to planting the trees including poinsettia and silver oak, he was dedicated to recreating a town similar to the ones in the western world.
Given the scenic beauty of the region, he chose the spot surrounded by five hamlets namely, Godavli, Taighat, Amral, Dhandeghar and Khingar. John Chesson was eventually made the superintendent of the region and the town was named as Panchgani.
He also focused on improving the day to day facilities in the town such as appointing butchers, tailors, washermen, etc. All the necessities of the residents of the town were efficiently taken care of. Moreover, the strawberry plantation also started in Panchgani under his supervision. The farms in the town are packed with juicy strawberries during the month of February and March and the view of the same is enchanting.
Restaurants and Local Food in Panchgani
The restaurants around the town offer various delicacies made out of strawberries. There is no specific popular local cuisine, however, you must try the shakes and other cuisines made from various types of berries. Moreover, the eateries here serve the mainstream Maharashtrian, South Indian, Gujarati, Punjabi, Parsi, Mughlai, Chinese and Continental dishes. One of the exquisite delicacies in the region is the mutton and chicken biryani.
Travel Itinerary
Schedule your journey in such a manner that you reach Pune airport or railway station by afternoon. From here you will have to hire a cab to reach Panchgani. Check-in at your hotel and rest for the night.
Day 1- After breakfast, you should head to the Tableland which is the second largest mountain plateau in Asia. The plateau is spread over an area of about 95 acres and you will be intrigued by the vastness of the same. You can then head to Sydney Point overlooking the Krishna Valley, where you will be fascinated by the picturesque view of the surrounding hills. Later in the evening, you can visit Parsi Point and Kate Point to witness the mesmerizing sunset.
Day 2- Post Breakfast at the hotel, you can head to Rajpuri Caves. This cave was used by the Pandavas to shelter themselves during their exile. Afterwards, you can head to Davrai Art Village where you can have a look at exquisite artefacts and handmade crafts of the ancient period. Free yourself up during the evening for an enthralling experience of paragliding above the Panchgani Hills.
Day 3- On the third day, you can visit the nearby twin city of Mahabaleshwar. Here, you can explore many interesting places such as Mapro Gardens, Venna Lake and Elephant’s Head Point.
