ESSEL WORLD
Launched in 1989 by Essel Group, EsselWorld became the pioneer of amusement parks in India by offering the country’s largest amusement park. It boasts of over 71 attractions designed for the entertainment of all age groups- perfectly justifying the title of India’s largest amusement park. With time, EsselWorld has evolved and added fantastic rides such as Tunnel Twister, Hoola Loop, Enterprise, The Alibaba Adventure Mirror Maze, Ice skating rink, to name a few; two mega attractions - India's craziest ride Top Spin & India's tallest tower ride - Shot N Drop.
With all the fun & frolic, it is ensured that the safety of the guests is not compromised. An amalgamation of thrill, fun, entertainment, and pure happiness - EsselWorld offers it all. The park has a choice of eating options, including Southern Treat, Domino’s, Taipan, Ohh! Mumbai and MORE!
Distance– Essel World is 31 km from Mumbai via Western Expressway
Best time to visit– June to August
ELEPHANTA CAVES
The 'City of Caves, on an island in the Sea of Oman close to Bombay, contains a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva. Here, Indian art has found one of its most perfect expressions, particularly the huge high reliefs in the main cave.
The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. The small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past. These archaeological remains reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC. The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD.
The most important cave is Cave 1, which measures 39 meters from the front entrance to the back. This cave in the western hill closely resembles Dumar Lena cave at Ellora, in India. The main body of the cave, excluding the porticos on the three open sides and the back aisle, is 27 meters square and is supported by rows of six columns each.
Distance– Elephanta Caves is 25 km away from the capital city of Maharashtra.
Best time to visit– September to March
LAVASA
Located at a distance of about 65 km from Pune, the beautifully planned city of Lavasa is surrounded by the majestic Western Ghats. The city is constructed in the Mulshi Valley and covers a sprawling 25,000 acres. With such mesmerizing views of hills, valleys, and lakes, the city has gained immense popularity among different types of travelers.
The beauty of this privately planned city lies in the seamless blend of stunning infrastructure and the enrapturing beauty of nature. Here, you will find different topographical variations such as the lofty Sahyadri range, the beautiful rivers, and gorgeous valleys.
Distance– Lavasa is 184 km from Mumbai via Mumbai- Pune Highway
Best time to visit– September to June
MAHABALESHWAR
Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located in the Western Ghats, in the Satara district of Maharashtra. Apart from its strawberries, Mahabaleshwar is also well known for its numerous rivers, magnificent cascades, and majestic peaks. It is among the most sought-after weekend getaways from Pune & Mumbai, located about 120km southwest of Pune and 285km from Mumbai.
Mahabaleshwar is also a sacred pilgrimage place for Hindus as the Krishna river originates from here. Once a summer capital of the British, the hill station of Mahabaleshwar comprises ancient temples, boarding schools, manicured and lush green dense forest, waterfalls, hills, valleys. It is often used as a base to visit the magnificent Pratapgad Fort, located an hour away.
Distance– This place is 230 km from Mumbai
Things to do– Admiring nature, trekking, rock climbing
Best time to visit– March to September
RAJMACHI
Rajmachi is a small village situated in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Rajmachi is famous for the historic fortress, which has two fortified peaks - Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts, located near two famous hills of Lonavala and Khandala.
At the base of the fort is the village Udhewadi which is another name for Rajmachi. Rajmachi has seen much change of hands from Shivaji Maharaj, Emperor Aurangzeb, Shahu Maharaj, and eventually the British reign. The fort of Rajmachi is famous among trekkers and adventure enthusiasts.
If you want to experience a full-fledged trek, you can start from the side of the Kondhane cave, which will take 3-4 hours of climbing, but otherwise, you can drive right upto Udhewadi village (from the Lonavala side) and then trek for hardly 20-30 minutes to the top of the fort. The simple and clearly marked trail on both paths makes Rajmachi a very popular beginner's trek.
Distance– Rajmachi is 320 km from Mumbai
Best time to visit– Monsoon to winter
You must be logged in to post a comment.