About India

Mahabaleshwar is a very picturesque hill station situated among the natural greenery of Sahyadri mountains. It is said to be the best natural holiday destination in Maharashtra and a compulsory attraction for the top honeymoon packages in India.
Mahabaleshwar is situated at a very favorable location for tourists. It is only 120 kms from Pune and hardly a 6-7 hours drive from Mumbai. There are some very scenic hotels and resorts in Mahabaleshwar which makes it a popular honeymoon holiday destination. It is not only a tourist destination but a religious center for the Hindus too as the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple is situated here and even the place got its name from it. One more famous tourist destination Panchgani is also a neighbouring place. Honey, strawberry and mulberries are produced here in abundance and tourists enjoy their relishing natural taste a lot.
Tourist Spots in Mahabaleshwar, India -
Mount Malcolm – It is a historical structure with magnificent architectural work. It was built in the year 1829 but its still casting its spell on the visitors. It was very famous at the time of british rule.
Pratapgarh Fort – It is only 24 kms from Mahabaleshwar. An enchanting view of coastal Konkan is visible from here. This fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji. Bhavani temple & Afzal Khan tomb are other watchable spots.
Bhavani Temple – It is situated on the eastern side of lower fort.
Pratap Garden – It is dedicated to Maharana Pratap and is one of only a few of the gardens in Peth area.
Afzal Khan Tomb – The tower, beneath which the head of Afzal Khan was burried many years ago, is now known as Afzal Khan tomb. A Dargah is situated nearby the tower where an Urs is held every year in the starting months.
Catholic Church – A very old Roman catholic church known as Holy Cross Church is also in Mahabaleshwar which is very popular for its architecture & old fashioned stained-glass windows.
Old Mahabaleshwar – Old Mahabaleshwar is 20 kms from the New Mahabaleshwar. It is brimful with jaw-dropping sceneries and greenery with a height of 1372 mtrs.
Panchganga Mandir – This unique and ancient temple is also known as Old Mahabaleshwar Temple famously. Its name is derived from a natural phenomenon. 5 different rivers joins each other at this very place and that mixed sacred water is called Panchganga. Those five rivers are Krishna, Gayatri, Venna, Savitri & Koyna.

India is divided in to 28 states with six union territories. The country is bordered by Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

India geography is a motley of hills, plateaus, mountains, rivers, deserts, and rainforests. So you will find different weathers, climates, which ultimately influence cultures and traditions.

To begin from the North – India takes pride in presenting the world with the highest mountain peaks K2 that is currently in the disputed area between Pakistan and India. In the undisputed area of Kashmir, Kanchanjunga which is at 28,208 feet is the highest peak. Further down the Thar Desert and other dry lands in Rajasthan are encountered. Towards the Southern tip lush green lands are visible.

The geography and climate of India are interrelated. It is due to the geography of a particular region it faces a particular type of climate. For instance the North experiences glaciers and extreme winter, yet the winds that blow towards them are blocked by the Himalayan ranges making the climate bearable. Extreme climates are faced in the dry regions of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Eastern states. But towards Maharashtra the climate is neither too hot nor too cold, due to the coastal lining. Similar is the climate throughout the coastal regions from Kerala, to Tamil Nadu to West Bengal.

The variations in the geography India are visible when one travels to the different parts of the country. It affects food habits, living conditions and occupations. The vegetables and fruits that grow too are all dependant on the geographical conditions. For instance fruits grow well in cold climates, hence apples from Himachal Pradesh and Simla are very much in demand. Coconut is everywhere in the South, hence for any dish that requires coconut, Southern products are only demanded.

But this was not the situation in ancient time. The geography of ancient India has changed since then. There were many rivers that flowed through the country making the soil fertile. Some of the gigantic ones were Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. Towns became cities that developed on the banks of the river and helped prosperity. However these rivers have thinned in their flow since the centuries past.