Water rides in Tarkarli

Date: 28th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: 700 per person for 3 rides.

Timing:  None.

Distance: 675 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Malvan and Tarkarli beach.

Malvan beach was our next destination from Mahabaleshwar. We reached earlier than planned to we decided to check Tarkarli beach first. The part from where we entered the beach for less crowded and no water sports was available there. Then a person approached us and said the water sports happen in the backwaters near devbagh beach. He said they will take us in a boat and 3 rides will cost 700Rs including boat ride. After discussing we decided to take for 2 as it was free for harsh. We reached the backwater and took 3 ride combo of jet ski, water scooter and bumper ride. Bumper ride was very good and we had good fun. Shilpi did not want to take any other ride so Harsh and I went in water scooter twice. I took the jetski ride alone as Harsh was not allowed in that. All the activities were real fun and wee enjoyed them. We also too Kayaking which was Rs 100 per person but it was too boring and hard. We finished the 30 min ride in 10 min and returned. We left devbagh and reached Malvan. Our stay was in Konark Residency Malvan. The hotel was very good, the room, bed and bathroom were very clean. Harsh and I went to check Malvan beach, we were glad we went to Tarkarli and took activities there as this beach was not clean at all. They had few water sports but we would advice to avoid the waters here.  It was really dirty. Harsh and I went back to the room and we had nice dinner in the restaurant and had a good night sleep.

Few pics from the beach.

Sunset point or Bombay point, Mahabaleshwar

Date: 27th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  During sunset.

Distance: 800 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Lingamala waterfalls, Kings chair and Lodwick point .

Sunset point or Bombay point is yet another famous view point in Mahabaleshwar. The place offers beautiful view of sunset on clear day. The place is also famous for horse riding activity. There are also few other stalls providing fun games and nice snacks. This is the most crowded view point in Mahabaleshwar. The horse Jockeys make the horse jump and ride them very fast to attract tourist.

Few pics from the Bombay point.

Advised to visit only if one happen to be near the point during sunset, else the place can be skipped. 

View points in Mahabaleshwar

Date: 27th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  6 AM to 6 PM. Better viewed early morning or late evening.

Distance: 800 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Lingamala waterfalls, Kings chair and Lodwick point .

Like in most hill stations there are many view points in Mahabaleshwar. They all offer almost same view of the hills and valley from different angles. Hunting point where the Britishers used to hunt wild animals. Echo point, where the voice is echoed back but we did not hear any. Tiger spring point, source of pure natural water and its believed to be watering hole for wild animals in the past. Arthur seat, where Sir Arthur used to view the savitri river in which his wife and child drowned. Savitri point, Kate's point, castle rock point are the few other view points. Needle hole view point is another attraction near Kates point. Kate's point offer view of the river Krishna and dhom dam. There are few fun activities that can be done at Kate's point and this is visited by many than other view points.

Few pics of the view points in Mahabaleshwar.

These view points are some of the top places to visit in Mahabaleshwar as there is not much to do here. 

Pratapgad, Maharashtra

Date: 27th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None.

Distance: 800 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Kate point, Arthur Seat, Hunting point, Lingamala waterfalls and many more.

Pratapgad is an important fort in the history of Maratha empire. It is located around 20Kms from Mahabaleshwar. The fort was built by Moropant Trimbak Pingle upon the order of Maratha King Chatrapati Shivaji. The fort is located 3543ft above the sea level. Chatrapathi Shivaji's first significant victory came from this place where his small army defeated Afzal Khan of Bijapur sultanete. This led to the establishment of Maratha empire.
The fort also houses a temple dedicated to Goddesses bhavani, Shivaji's family goddesses. In 1661 Shivaji could not visit the Bhavani temple at Tuljapur and decided to build the temple in the fort.
There is also a tomb of Afzal Khan, the general of Bijapur army whom Shivaji killed during their meeting outside Pratapgad. The main attraction here is the 17ft tall bronze statue of Shivaji. The status was unveiled by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 30th November 1957.

Few pics from the fort.

The fort currently is in ruins and almost completely occupied by small shops selling souvenirs and small foods on both sides.