Panchgani is a majestic hill – station located southeast of Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra. It is famous for the Table Land which is a huge volcanic plateau. The must-see places in Panchgani are Sydney Point and Parsi Point which offers a spectacular view of the Dhom Dam Lake and Kamalgad Fort. This Kamalgad Fort was used by the British as a prison in the 19th century. In the southeast of Panchgani, you will find the Rajpuri Caves which are surrounded by sacred ponds and contain a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Kartikeya.
How to get here:
Panchgani is well-connected by train, roads, and airways. If you want to reach this hill station by air then you would have to land at the Mumbai airport which is Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja International Airport. From the airport, you can get a cab or bus to reach Panchgani. If you want to reach Panchgani by train then you would have to get a ticket to Satara, which is the closest railway station to Panchgani. From Satar station, you can get buses and taxis and reach your destination in no time. Driving to Panchgani is also very easy since it is well connected by roads and also the highways.
Things to do:
There are a lot of things that you can do while in Panchgani. Some of them are
You can bless your eyes with the scenic views at Table Land. The Table Land is the second largest plateau mountain in Asia that gives you a stunning view of the mountainous terrain of Panchgani. The famous activities that you can do in here are plateau exploring and horse riding.
Boating at the Vennaa Lake is one of the fun and interesting things to do in Panchgani. The Venna Lake is a stunning lake surrounded by trees on all sides making it even more beautiful.
Paragliding is the recent activity that has started to gain fame among the visitors of Panchgani. With clear blue sky, favorable wind and jaw-dropping scenic beauty of the valley make this place an ideal place for paragliding.
Sydney Point is a famous tourist attraction in Panchgani. It has been named after Sir Sydney Beckworth, who was the commander in chief of Bombay in 1830. Sydney Point offers a picturesque view of the Krishna Valley, something that cannot be missed.
Built on the Krishna River the Dhom Dam is a beautiful place to visit in Panchgani. It was constructed in 1976 and boasts a beautiful view of blue clear water surrounded by massive mountains on all sides.
Situated on the way to Mahabaleshwar, the Parsi Point is a spectacular place to visit in Panchgani. It offers a stunning view of both the Krishna Valley and the Dhom Dam. It is best suited for a visit at sunset or sunrise, this is a time when you get to see the true beauty of the place.
Nearby Places:
Being located in Maharashtra, there are a lot of places to visit nearby, like Lonavala, Khandala, Malshej Ghat, Dapoli, Kolad, and Alibag, to name a few.
We all have heard of Lonavala, a place worthy of a visit once in a lifetime. Once you get to see this place you will understand why people refer it to be the most beautiful place in India.
Khandala is located at the foothills of Sahyadri foothills. This place gives you the perfect capturing images of the beautiful valleys, lush green hills, lakes, and breathtaking waterfalls.
The Malshej Ghat is a breathtaking mountain pass located in Maharashtra, falling on the Thane – Ahamad Nagar Road. The misty weather adds a magical effect to the whole experience.
Dapoli is a famous tourist destination in Maharashtra and is mostly known for having a cool climate throughout the year. It is located in the Ratnagiri district and is a famous Konkan Hill station.
Kolad is the “ Home for White Water Rafting “ in Maharashtra, with Sahyadris as a picturesque backdrop it is a thriving tourist destination in Maharashtra. It boasts of natural beauty which blooms during the monsoons.
Alibag is a cute little coastal town located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is a very popular destination and is often nicknamed “mini-Goa “ owing to its high tourist footfall all around the year.
Places to Stay:
There are a lot of hotels to stay at in Panchgani. Some of them based on ratings, reviews and surveys are:-
- Ravine Hotel – ₹ 6,496. ( per night )
- Grand Victoria The Fern Resort and Spa – ₹ 5,149. ( per night )
- Blue Country Resort – ₹ 5,051. ( per night )
- Western Valley Cottages – ₹ 2,575. ( per night )
- Hotel Malas – ₹ 2,035. ( per night )
The best time to visit Panchgani is during the calm seasons of winter and summer. The months most suitable for a visit to this beautiful place is during the months of September to May.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Places to visit Maharashtra
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