Elphinstone Point

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India /Maharashtra /Satara /Mahabaleshwar

Sight Address : Elphinstone Point is 7 miles from Frere Hall, Mahabaleshwar, India . Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Elphinstone Point is a seven-mile drive from Frere Hall. Two miles more lead to Arthur Seat. The cliffs at these points are higher than at any of the nearer eminences. These rise from the Konkan which is some two thousand five hundred feet below the level of the Koyna valley. The ravine between Elphinstone Point and Arthur Seat is the rise of the Savitri river, and the height of the cliff at the point where the stream reaches its base is not less probably than 3000 feet. There is a small bungalow at Elphinstone Point, which provided accomodation for visitors. The bungalow is now out of repairs, Mahabaleshwar municipality had decided to demolish it and to construct a new picnic shed on a suitable spot at Arthur seat. The road which passes the Mahabaleshwar temple is passable for light vehicles, but is unbridged and abounds in steep inclines and sharp curves. From Elphinstone Point to Arthur’s Seat it runs close to the edge of the cliffs from which only a small stone parapet divides it. Great care should be taken in driving through this portion.

Arthur Seat, so called after Mr. Arthur Mallet who first built his house here, is the highest point of the range in the neighbourhood, being 4421 feet above sea level. The view is of immense extent in all directions. North-west over a ridge about five hundred feet lower is seen the Jor valley dense with forest and concealing the head waters of the Krishna. Rajgad (3992) and Torna (4605), in Poona and Kangori (2457) in Kolaba are all visible from this point. During the hot weather the haze usually obstructs the view, but in October and November these and other hills are seen to fine advantage. They form masses of huge rocks rugged beyond description and appartently unscalable. In most places the vegetation has been cleared or burnt off them. This adds to the wildness of the scene. But notwithstanding its grandeur the eye would gladly find some relief from the universal bareness, and turns with enjoyment to the masses of foliage on the southern side. About half a mile from Arthur Seat itself is a small path, which by a scramble, leads down to a spring 200 feet below called the Wishing Well. The path follows the line of the cliffs and mounting up meet the carriage road at the little cleared spot which constitutes Arthur Seat. A very steep and rather unsafe path over the eminence enables a good climber to get down to a small ledge known as the window. It is about 200 feet below the Arthur’s Seat and once reached gives a magnificent view of the extraordinary drop on into the valley below. The ledge is so low that the visitor can lean over it and gaze securely into the depths below without endangering his balance by straining in any way. Another circuitous path starts northwards from the Seat and is a safer way of reaching the window. Beyond the window a long spur projects into the Konkan, and by the path above mentioned the people habitually pass the range, sometimes even with heavy burdens. Considerable time is usually necessary for seeing Elphinstone Point and Arthur Seat. The best plan is to send out provisions and make a long morning of it.

Elephinstone point

HistoryEdit

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Must SeeEdit

Must See

Visiting TimeEdit

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Closed OnEdit

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Best Season to VisitEdit

Mahabaleshwar has a moderate climate all through the year and can be visited any time of the year. However, the best time would be from October to June. October to May is very pleasant with moderate to cool climates and ideal for all sightseeing in Mahabaleshwar. June to September is good for honeymoon couples in Mahabaleshwar and ideal for short sightseeing.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning , Afternoon , Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1/2 to 1 hours.

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

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Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

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Guide Required : No Edit

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Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

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Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

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How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Taxies easily available here. Taxis are a good way to travel through Mahabaleshwar at night, and these do not run on meter too. They can charge you anywhere between Rs 30 to 200.

BUS : Maharashtra State Road Transport operates bus service to all major places in the state. Regular bus service is available to reach Mahabaleshwar from Nasik, Nagar, Sangli, Pune etc. Tourists can take both luxury coaches and semi luxury buses to reach Mahabaleshwar by roadway. Private air conditioned buses travel from Goa, Mumbai and Pune to Mahabaleshwar. Buses are cheapest and easiest mode of transport in Mahabaleshwar. These buses ply to almost all areas in the town, and you can take a bus ride to any destination of your choice provided you know the location well beforehand. Getting help from the locals can make things easier during a bus journey, and ticket fares will normally range between Rs 4 to 10. Government run buses are also available for sightseeing purposes. These can be helpful as they will allow you to comprehensively cover all major portions of the town. Sightseeing trips through a government bus can cost you around Rs 60 to 70 per head. These start at 9:15 in the morning and 2:15 in the afternoon from the bus stand and the transport office.

Train : The nearest railhead from Mahabaleshwar is Wather, located at a distance of 62 km from the city. But if you choose to travel to Mahabaleshwar by train, the Pune railhead, located at a distance of 120 km, is comparatively more convenient than the Wather station, because of its better connectivity to Mahabaleshwar. People traveling by train can get down at the Pune railway station to reach Mahabaleshwar. Private tour operators provide buses, mini-buses, taxis, etc, which are easily available for tourists outside the Pune station. One can also avail the state-operated buses that shuttle between Pune and Mahabaleshwar.

Air : Pune, located at a distance of 120 km is the nearest airport. If you plan to travel to Mahabaleshwar by air, you can board a flight till Pune, and then easily avail a bus, taxi or a private car from the Pune airport. The airport has various facilities within its premises for tourists traveling to the place. State operated buses are also easily available from Pune. Even private tour-operators provide luxury/ non- luxury bus services to Mahabaleshwar. You can even hire a vehicle of your choice from the airport, for the entire duration of your stay.

Others : Auto Rickshaw : Auto rickshaws is also available here. Auto rickshaws in Mahabaleshwar do not run on meter, so fixing up a particular rate beforehand is a good idea. Horse Carriage : Horse rides are also very popular in Mahabaleshwar, and this mode of travel can be quite adventurous too. A horse ride can cost you anywhere around Rs 50 to 100.

Things to CarryEdit

• The basic things to carry while travelling to Mahabaleshwar depend on the season. However, carrying sufficient warm clothing like sweaters, socks, and hand gloves is a must in winter. While raincoats, umbrellas, jackets or hoodies are required during rainy season.
• Apart from sweaters, carry raincoats, goggles, sports shoes or walking shoes, camping gear including clothing, ropes, torch, matchbox, candles, for those who are interested in trekking and hiking. Also carry binoculars.
• First aid medications, bandage, antacids, mosquito repellent, soaps, paper soaps, tissue papers, cellphones and cameras with their battery chargers.
• Carry enough cash and debit cards. Not all the places apart from some luxury hotels in Mahabaleshwar accept credit cards.
• Don’t forget to carry a garbage bag which can suffice your own litter like empty cans, tins, water bottles, food packets. You can easily collect your own garbage in these bags.