Matheran: The Eco-friendly hill station

This season we bring you an awe-inspiring destination, Matheran, situated in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats in India, one of the eight richest biodiversity hotspots absolutely worth visiting during the rains. These 1600 km long Ghats on the Western side of the country extends over Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and is home to several wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and reserve forests which have been designated as World Heritage Sites. The Western Ghats are further divided into several hill ranges by the names Sahyadris, Nilgiris, Anaimalai hills and Cardamom hills.

Matheran is translates to the ‘forest on the forehead’. This tiniest hill-station in the country in the Raigad district of Maharashtra cannot be underestimated for its size as it attracts many urban dwellers from the surrounding metropolitan cities. It is located on the range of Western Ghats at height of 800 m (2625 Feet) above sea level. The name Matheran means either ‘Forest on Top’ or ‘Woodland overhead’. Developed by the British as a summer retreat, the hill-station just celebrated its 164th birthday and got a song dedicated to it as a gift! Written in Marathi, the song sings like, “Aamcha abhimaan, amche Matheran” conveying the pride of a Matheran resident.

At a time when even some of the most remote tourist places have begun to suffer from pollution, primarily due to the increase in vehicles, can there be a hill station which can lay claim to being totally free of such ill-effects? Surprisingly, there is one, and it remains free of noxious pollutants.

Places To Visit
Indeed there are about 38 designated view points, refreshing trekking points (Panorama Point) along with gorgeous sunset points (Porcupine Point) and other famous bird-watching points like the Hart Point and Monkey Point. Louisa Point near the market offers an undisturbed view of the ruins of Prabal Fort and the grass-topped hills. There are so much more points like the One Tree-Hill Point (leading up to Shivaji’s ladder), Rambagh Point and Alexander Point.

All the 38 look-out points of Matheran are worth a visit but some points are out of bounds for tourists due to safety reasons. Some of the best peaks and points in Matheran that offer the best views of the hill station are Panorama Point, King George Point, Louisa Point, Echo Point and the Charlotte Lake. The Paymaster Park and the Panthers Caves are also great places to visit for those wanting to witness wildlife. The cliffs of Matheran can be enjoyed and viewed from the tops of restaurants and even through hotel rooms. One of the most eco-sensitive regions, Matheran is best explored on foot or on mountain bikes. Apart from the usual sightseeing, Matheran also offers activities such as hiking, trekking, climbing etc. One of the biggest attractions here is the famous Toy Train. Trips from Matheran to Neral and back, take a thrilling 280 zigzag turns through the Sahayadri ranges, making it an exciting experience for all tourists.

Stuff to Shop
This charming hill station is also a popular shopping destination for tourists. Local Matheran Hats, sandals and sweet ‘Chikki’ are popular here. The honey available in Matheran is also considered to be very popular.

Food to Eat
Fancy restaurants are not easily available in Matheran. Try the stalls, the food vendors and the dhabas, who promise authentic Maharashtrian and Punjabi food.

Distance from Major Cities
Mumbai-80 KM    Pune- 120 KM      Nashik- 160 KM     Shirdi- 250 KM

A visit to Matheran Hill Station can also be combined with other tourist attractions across the city. With its delectable cuisines, and opportunities to explore the surrounding areas, Matheran is perfectly poised to offer an experience that is both, authentic as well as unique! There are many ideal locations to visit in and around this wonderful city, with prominent local landmarks and favourable restaurants being just a few examples. Make a trip to Matheran and its exciting places of interest to enjoy a memorable vacation. A visit to Matheran Hill Station will give you a greater insight into the various cultures and traditions of Matheran . If you are planning a vacation in Matheran, then you must go visit Matheran Hill Station. It is an intrinsic part of the socio-cultural landscape and hence, offers an insightful peek into life, as it exists in Matheran .

Book your GozoCabs; runs out taking splashes of fog on the faces and yearns to see how it changes the shape of everything, from roads to forests and the mountains. GoGozo:GoMatheran