PLACES

MAHABALESHWAR

Mahabalesvar [This account has been mainly contributed by Dr. McConaghy, formerly Superintendent of Mahabaleshvar for the first edition. Besides by the name Mahabaleshvar or the Very Mighty God, which it takes from a famous temple of Shiv of that name, the station is called Nahar by the lower classes.] (Mahabalesvar Peta; 17° 55' N. 73° 35' E; RS. Wathar 40 m. S; p. 4,972) about eighteen miles north-west of Medha, twenty miles west of Wai, and about thirty-three miles north-west of Satara, is one of the health resorts of Maharashtra State, situated on one of the Sahyadri spurs. The height averages 4,500 feet above the sea, and at Sindola ridge the highest point reaches 4,710. Several spurs standing out from the north and west of the main body of the hill form promontories that command magnificient views of the precipitous slopes of the Sahyadri hills and of the valleys below. At the heads of the ravines that run between these points the streams, issuing from springs in the higher part of the hill, fall over ledges of trap rock in cascades, one of which is about 2,000 feet from the lip of the fall to the bottom of the valley.

Description.

Except in the east and extreme north the top of the hill is wooded to the very edge of the scrap, and though only in a few sheltered glades are there trees of any great size, the wood is so dense that it forms one vast waving stretch of rich foliage, broken by the chimneys and roofs of the higher houses and by the varieties of shade from the olive leaf of the pisa to the blue-green of the jambhul and other fruit-bearing trees. The deep-cut roads and paths, bordered by a thick undergrowth of bracken and shaded by moss-covered trees, are like the views in a highland hill side. But the resemblance ceases with the sudden ending of road and shade at one of numerous points that overlook the ravines, perhaps 2,000 feet deep, bounded on the opposite side by the steep bare wall of one of the flat-topped Deccan ridges or by the low castellated outline of a Maratha hills fort.

The hills to the south-west differ considerably from those to the south and east. To the south-west the outlines are bolder and irregular and their sides are fairly clothed with trees and brushwood. To the south and east with a lighter rainfall the sides are utterly bare, and the forms, worn only by the sun and rain, are flat-topped and monotonous. The pressure of population on the arable land has driven tillage up the sides of some of the less precipitous hills, where the wearing of the soil can be stopped by low terraces resting on stone walls, which lend somewhat of a Rhenish or Italian character to the view. In clear air before or after rain, often parts, and in rare cases, the whole of a fifty miles range of sea, shows extending from about the Shastri in Ratnagiri to a little south of Janjira. But the coast line cannot be traced except near the Savitri river. The distance to the sea along this range of view varies as the river from thirty to fifty miles.

The beauties of the hill vary much at different seasons. Most persons probably think it at its best in October immediately after the cessation of the south-west monsoon. Many spots are then carpeted with wild flowers. The wild arrowroot lily fills every glade and in numberless spots are found wild rose and sweet pea. The ferns are then in leaf. The less frequented paths and open spots are soft with turf. Every bank and stone, the rugged cliffs of the hills themselves, are dazzlingly green with moss and grass. The streams are at the fullest. A fall of rain of tropical violence probably occurs and the Yenna falls become imposing, while the faces of the cliffs are lighted with innumerable silver rills and dazzling sprays. At this time are to be seen the most distant views. The hills stand out against the sky in wonderful relief. In the mornings the ravines are filled with fleecy rolls of mist or with a wealth of dark blue shadow. In the evenings great clouds gather and impart endless variety of light and shade to the landscape and of glorious colour to the rays of the setting sun. Few lights are more majestic than that of the great thunderstorm of this season sweeping the adjacent valleys or over the distant sea. The breezes though strong are sweet and the bracing cold of the evenings is met with a cheerful fire.

But the favourite season for visiting is from March to June. The reason of course is the escape thereby afforded from the heat of the plains. But the grass, wild flowers and ferns are now gone and the streams and waterfalls are dry. Haze obstructs the view and the eye is fatigued by glare. Still then too the hill has its peculiar beauties. The evergreen forests are renewing their foliage and impart a fresh verdure to the landscape. There is the tawny bracken not unlovely and the mighty heights of the Ghats are perhaps more imposing than when delicately clothed as in October at many of their most rugged portions.

Towards the end of May the mists begin to creep up and thunder-storms lay the dust and cool the air. Few scenes are more fairy-like than the valleys on a May morning filled with mist, the fragments of which as it rises gild and throw into relief the finest of the surrounding peaks. At this time too the strawberry is in full fruit and the gardens are brilliant with heliotrope, geranium and fuchsias, and roses, where cared for, do well.

At all times the hill is most attractive, and not its least attractions are the excellent drives as well as walks which give access to all its parts. In this it contrasts happily with most hill stations, Ootacamund always excepted.

"The station, called Malcolm Peth after Sir John Malcolm, includes all lands within a radius of five miles from the Frere Hall. Most of this land is reserved for forest and is called the Five Mile Reserve. It includes the lands of sixty-five villages, fifty-six from the Javli and nine from the Wai talukas of Satara. These villages are usually from four to twenty huts surrounded by a few fields. Each village has a certain amount of land set apart for tillage and grazing, the rest being covered with thick evergreen forest." [Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency (Satara), Vol. XIX.]

Roads.

Mahabalesvar is reached by three chief roads, the Poona road from the east branching off from the Poona-Satara road at Surul, the Satara and Kelghar road from the south-east, and the Fitz-Gerald pass road from the west. In travelling to Mahabalesvar from Surul the Poona road begins to rise almost immediately after leaving Wai and climbs along the north face of a steep and barren range of hills almost as far as Pancgani, a distance of about eight miles. Frequent turns open fine views of the upper Krshna valley and of the hills that face Mahabalesvar which are nearly as barren as those up which the road winds. One or two points give a glimpse of the peaks of Torna (4,605) and Rajgad (3,992), and at the highest point of one steep rise, the wood-encircled temple and village of Mahabaleshvar is seen, but again lost when the curve of the road turns to the south-west. Except along the banks of the Krshna and its tributaries there is little vegetation. The sides of the hills are terraced in a few places for the growth of coarse grain, but the rest is utterly bare.

At the top of this ascent the little settlement of Pancgani (ht. 4,000; P. 4,337) breaks pleasantly on the view with its long lines of casuarina trees and bamboos in which are bedded a number of substantial little houses, buildings of residential schools, hotels and a market. Until Panchgani is passed there is no view to the south or south-east, but about a mile further the road to Mahabalesvar strikes along the edge of a deep valley that opens on the southern plains with Yavtesvar and the Satara fort (3,307) in the back ground. The hills round Pancgani are flattopped and, except close to the station, untilled. In the valleys below, the streams, so long as they keep running, are used to water small patches of wheat or vegetables, but the bulk of the crops, consisting of rice or nachni is harvested soon after the end of the rains and only stubble is left to mark the patches of tillage. A little beyond Pancgani the road rises with several ups and downs to Mahabalesvar, passing along the table land which forms the top of this spur of the Mahabalesvar, system of hills. About half-way between the two stations, signs of a heavy rainfall appear in the richness of the bracken and other ferns and in the numbers of bulbous plants which flourish nowhere but near the western crest of the Sahyadris. The valley of the Yenna is soon reached, along the north-eastern side of which the road is carried to the embankment of the lake immediately below the station. The Yenna falls are not visible though the rocks near them can be made out. Unlike the Pancgani spur the south-western side of the valley up which the road to Satara winds is clothed with scrub jungle. The gardens, begun by the Chinese convicts and continued by local workmen whom they have taught, are seen on both banks of the upper Yenna, on the south-west of which close to Mahabalesvar, the view is bounded by the ridge of Sindola the highest point of the hill. From the lake the road winds round one or two small valleys to the Frere Hall, from which all distances are calculated.

For those who have time a better route is from Bombay by the Fitz-Gerald pass with district bungalow at Dasganv in Kolaba, and inspection bungalow at Vada at the foot of the Fitz-Gerald pass. Coasting steamers touch Bankot at the mouth of the Savitri and from Bankot small steamers or boats ply twenty-four miles up to Dasganv. Leaving Poladpur eighteen miles from Dasganv, the line goes by the old Kinesvar road for five and half miles. It then branches to the left, gradually climbing round the western and northern shoulders of Pratapgad for sixteen miles to the Vada bungalow on the first plateau. From Vada the road winds ten miles more, round the valleys between Bombay and Sidney Points, and passing close under Bombay Point, rises easily from the east of it into the Bombay Point road by the Terraces. The scenery along this route is very fine, but it is very dusty below the hill in the hot weather.

Geology.

The geology of the hills is simple, trap overlaid by a light capping of iron clay. The trap shows in most ravines and in horizontal belts on the sides of the hill, which are more numerous and much less deep than the trap scarps in the range further north. The Mahabalesvar trap is often columnar and accompanied by crystallised quartz, apophyllite, stilbite, and scolecite found in cavities. The iron clay contains a variable proportion of peroxide of iron which used to be extracted by a class of men called Dhavads. But orders restricting the use of charcoal put a stop to the manufacture of iron. The laterite ends on the Satara road 6½ miles from the Frere Hall, on the Poona road 13½ miles, and on the Mahad road 2½ miles.

Water.

As the laterite capping is nowhere very thick, the substratum of water-bearing trap is soon reached, and a well sunk to a moderate deapth, say from thirty to fifty feet, will yield a certain supply of water. In this respect the station presents a most favourable-contrast to Matheran. The Yenna. lake, with an area of about twenty-eight acres and an average depth of ten feet, constructed by Chhatrapati Appasaheb Maharaj, Raja of Satara, in 1842 on the request of the then Governor of Bombay, Sir James Rivett Lawrence and fed by perennial springs, not only adds to the beauty of the hill-top, but both directly and indirectly aids in watering a line of small gardens that stretch to a considerable distance below. It helps directly by means of a stream that issues from the lake and ultimately grows into the Yenna river; and it helps indirectly by raising the general spring level in the gardens so that a sufficient supply of water can be drawn from a shallow dip well, by means of a bucket and bamboo pole weighted with a large stone and worked by a single labourer. The little streams that flow from the upper parts of the hill into the larger streams are so long as they last used in cultivation by means of artificial water-courses. The drinking water is generally excellent. For drinking water the municipality has 19 public wells and two chlorinated tanks viz. the Bishop Tank and the Elphinstone Tank. They are disinfected periodically. In addition, there are 230 private wells. To augment the water supply which runs short in May when the station is full of visitors, the Government Internal Distribution Scheme of Mahabalesvar was completed recently (March, 1961). The scheme supplies piped water and consists of pumping arrangements on the Elphinstone Tank, a reservoir, settling tanks and a dam.

Climate.

From early October to June the climate is bracing and healthy; suiting most constitutions except those suffering from such chronic complaints as liver or heart disease. Some rain usually falls in October and the place is a little damp and the evenings misty; the average mean temperature is 19.3° C. In November, December and January the climate is dry with occasionally strong easterly winds cold enough to make a fire in the evening almost necessary; the average mean temperature of these months is 17.4° C and the cold season ends about the middle of the month. The hottest time of the year is generally from about the 12th of March to the middle of April, when, during the day, the temperature rises to a little over 32.2° C. About 20th April the wind changes to the west, and cool moist, and invigorating sea breezes set in and gather strength as the season passes. In May there are occasional showers and thunderstorms; the air grows moister and clouds and mist often fill the valley's. On most hot weather mornings the hill sides are covered with white clouds which completely veil the Konkan, but these disappear as the day advances. The rainy season usually begins early in June, but a number of visitors remain on the hill till the middle of the month, As different houses are emptied, the owners cover them round with rain screens made of Kolamb and other grass so as to protect the walls against the heavy rains. Most of the dealers and hawkers leave the bazar at the end of the season, but a number of Vanis and the poorer classes remain. They completely surround their houses with screens, leaving only a small opening on the side furthest from the prevailing wind. The Vanis carry on their trade to a limited extent as the people who inhabit the hill and surrounding villages are too poor to lay in sufficient supplies for the monsoon. During these months it is generally very cloudy and misty, and the rain, though not incessant, falls for the greater part of the time. It is usually heaviest in July, and 30 centimeters or more are occasionally registered in a day. Every spring becomes a torrent and much damage is done to roads and gardens. "The difference between the wet season and the dry season is strongly marked at Mahabalesvar, The wet season begins with the onset of the South-West monsoon early in June and lasts till the second week of October. The station receives the full force of the monsoon current on account of its situation on the crest of the Ghats and in the four months. June to September more than 95 per cent, of the annual rainfall of 266" (675.64 centimeters) is received. In July and August there is hardly a day without rain, while in June and September rainfall occurs on three days out of four. The rainfall in October, which occurs at the end of the monsoon, is much less than in the main monsoon months, and is less than 3 per cent, of the annual fall". [From Messrs. Doraiswamy Iyer and Ishver Dass's Diurnal Variation of Rainfall at Mahableshwar, (issued, in Scientific Note No. 105, by the Indian Meteorological Department, Poona.).]

Gardening.

With abundant water and plentiful manure from street sweepings and other manure, gardening is carried on with great success. Foreign vegetables are grown along the banks of the Yenna and other streams, where there are also beds of strawberries and other fruit. The excessive rainfall prevents the cultivation of most European fruit trees, though they flourish at Pancgani about ten miles east. Potatoes locally known as red potatoes are largely grown and highly esteemed in the Poona and Bombay markets.

Among exotics may be mentioned a few oak trees, grown from acorns. The field crops are chiefly wheat, nachni or nagli, sava vari, coarse rice, and a little barley. Sugarcane is found only in a few spots which have a plentiful supply of water. As a rule the crops are harvested in the early season, so that the cultivators, unable to occupy themselves with cold weather sowings, have to seek other means of subsistence during the rest of the year. Except near watercourse, the soil is barren, and, as a rule, yields scanty crops. The local grain is always poor and is seldom used by any but the growers and a few. servants.

Animals.

The principal birds more of them heard than, seen are the nightingales, spurfowl, bird of paradise, and golden oriel sometimes called the mango bird. But the singing and colourful birds of Mahabalesvar like kingfishers, woodpeckers, cuckoos, thrushes, honey-suckers are the real fauna that go to enchance the beauty of the place. A number of venomous snakes are found, of which the nag (naja tripudians), Phurse (Behis carinata), Ghonas, and manyar are the commonest. Phurse are found in great numbers and though small are very poisonous. Of the larger wild animals, tigers, panthers, and leopards, and of the smaller spotted and four-horned deer and hog, are occasionally seen on the hill and in the surrounding villages. Hyenas come out of their dens on a moonlight night, monkey's of fairly larger size if left alone seldom make a nuisance of themselves. Sambars are also found.

History.

Since ages it has been recognised that at Mahabalesvar lies the source of the great Krshna, Yenna, Koyna, Savitri and Gayatri. Mahabalesvar, from the beginning of the 17th century, was under the subjection of different rulers, Hindus and Muslims.

The [Murray's Bombay Handbook (2nd Edition), 198-99.] first European visitor to the Mahabalesvar hills, the late General P. Lodwick, on hearing from the Late Raja of Satara of the boundless beauty of this place, explored the region in the summer of 1824. The celebrated promontory of Sidney point is re-named after him as he first set his foot there. He made his way, with a walking stick in hand, through the dense and tigerish forest, to the edge of that grand precipice, without any encounter with the wild beasts that then infested the place in numbers; but a day or two after, his dog, when close to him, was carried off by a panther. He was also the first to bring the subject before the public through the medium of newspapers. He was followed by General Briggs, Resident of Satara, who in 1826 built a cottage and prevailed on the Raja to construct an excellent carriage road from his capital to the present station. Little further was done till Sir J. Malcolm, Governor of Bombay (1827-1830), zealously took up the matter, established an experimental convalescent hospital for European soldiers, and, by his personal residence at the hills in the hot season of 1828, attracted a crowd of visitors. In the same season, Colonel Robertson, die successor of General Briggs, built a house at the station. In November 1828, Sir J. Malcolm returned to the hills bringing with him Dr. Williamson specially appointed to the duty of reporting on the climate and fitness of the locality for a sanatorium. Sites were now selected for some public buildings; the Governor's residence on Mount' Charlotte, called after Lady Malcolm, was commenced; and a proclamation was soon afterwards issued by the Raja, of Satara, inviting settlers to his newly founded village of Malcolm Peth or 'Malcolm-Ville'. The Raja also undertook to continue the high road onward over the hill and down the Radtondya or Rotunda pass to the boundary of the British territory in the Konkan, from which point the former English Government agreed to construct a similar road down the Par pass through Mahad to Dasganv in Kolaba, the most convenient harbour on the Savitri or Bankot river. These works were completed in 1830. Next season, Parsee shopkeepers made their appearance, and Government employed a number of Chinese convicts in cultivating an extensive garden whence supplies of the finest vegetables, especially potatoes, were speedily drawn. The convicts, about twelve in number, came from the English settlements to the East and after working out their time in chains remained at the place, married, and improved their condition, with the proverbial frugality and industry of their race. A public subscription was raised to make bridle roads to the most picturesque points and in a few years the station reached a flourishing condition. Mahabaleshvar was ceded in 1828, by the Satara Raja in exchange for the village of Khandala in Wai, and in 1848 was incorporated in the Satara collectorate on the lapse of the Satara State to the ex-British Government.

Management.

From 1827 to 1866 the management of the station was carried on by a committee. During this time it was chiefly maintained from imperial revenues which constituted the station fund. In January 1865, to raise revenue for the improvement of the station, a municipality was organised, and in May 1866, its limits were extended to include the whole of the station. The committee was dissolved in April 1867, and the management transferred to a town municipality. Its income was limited and therefore, Government contributed from the public revenues.

Population.

The population of the town according to 1951 census was 4,872 of which 155 were agriculturists and others 4,717. Of the latter 677 persons derived their principal means of livelihood from production other than cultivation; 643 from commerce; 148 from transport and 3,249 from other services and miscellaneous sources.

Municipality.

Constitution.

Mahabalesvar municipality with an area of 59 sq. miles was established in 1939. There are ten elected and two ex-officio members in the municipal council. It is governed under the Bombay District Municipal Act, 1901. One seat rotating in three wards is reserved for women and one for the Scheduled Castes. Besides the managing committee there is the Schools Committee, Assessment Committee, Advisory Committee on building and construction and a Sanitation Committee.

Income and Expenditure.

The income of the municipality for the year 1959-60 excluding extraordinary and debt heads amounted to Rs. 2,96,980; municipal rates and taxes being Rs, 2,23,395; revenue derive from municipal property and powers apart from taxation Rs. 14,301; grants and contributions Rs. 51,234; and miscellaneous Rs. 8,050. Expenditure incurred for the same year excluding extraordinary and debt heads amounted to Rs.3,28,319; general administration and collection charges being Rs. 63,458; public safety Rs. 1,915; public health and convenience Rs. 2,16,426; public instructions Rs. 12,340; contributions 35; and miscellaneous Rs. 34,145.

Water Supply.

The town is supplied with piped water from the Bishop tank under the Government Internal Distribution Scheme. Besides there are 19 municipal wells which are disinfected regularly.

Drainage System.

There is no special drainage system, but lately underground drains have been laid in the bazar area. Government has completed a major portion of the work started in 1956, costing Rs. 75,000.

Markets.

There are markets for mutton, beef, fish and vegetables. The mutton market built in 1942-43 at a cost of Rs. 8,500 has an accommodation for six stalls. The vegetable market constructed in 1951-52 at a cost of Rs. 23,700 accommodates eight stalls with all modern amenities. Besides there is one Bhaji Adda where vegetable gardeners sell their produce.

Roads.

There are seven miles and five furlongs of tar roads, 34 miles and a half furlong metalled and 37 miles of unmetalled roads.

Fire Service.

For fire service the municipality maintains one trailer pump.

Educational Facilities.

Primary education is compulsory in the town and is managed by the District School Board, Satara. The municipality pays its contribution on the basis of 5 per cent, of the annual letting value. There is one High School owned by a private institution called the Seth Gangadhar Makharia High School. There are two private libraries, the Frere Library and the Petit Library. The municipality pays an annual grant of Rs. 450 to the Petit Library.

Miscellaneous.

The Morarji Gokuldas General Hospital run by the Government is the only public dispensary in Mahabalesvar.

There are five burial and cremation grounds for Hindus, Muhammedans, Parsees, Europeans and Goanese. All are managed privately, the municipality providing sheds for Hindus and Muhammedans.

The municipality maintains one park viz., the Seth Gangadhar Makharia Garden. The municipality has constructed a 'Car Park' near Yenna Lake at a cost of Rs. 16,000 in 1958.

Buildings.

The Frere Hall built in 1864, contains a large reading room and a library with a large and well chosen collection of books. The hall is given to the Mahabalesvar Club at present. The Petit Library has also a good collection of English, Marathi and Gujarati books and dailies. The library has a billiards hall. The Mahabalesvar Club, the Parsee Gymkhana and the Hindu Gymkhana afford facilities for a number of sports activities. The Parsee Gymkhana offers courts for tennis and badminton. Table-tennis and card games are also popular among the Parsee Gymkhana visitors. The Hindu Gymkhana affords similar facilities and the tournaments on its tennis courts constitute an annual feature of Mahabalesvar's seasonal sports. Fishing, trekking, hunting and boating are another group of sporting facilities. The Morarji Gokuldas General Hospital near the Petit Library and the Manekbai Gangabai Hindu sanatorium afford medical facilities. There are three primary schools at Mahabalesvar, tow Marathi and one Urdu; and a high school viz. The Makharia High School. The Sarvodaya Kendra, Mahabalesvar established in 1949 aims at an alround development of the area. The Kendra works in a number of fields viz. bee-keeping, spread of education and literacy, building of roads and wells and providing medical aid and water-supply. The Wheat-Rust Station on the Sassoon Road is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, in 1942. It is doing valuable work in the development of disease-resisting varieties of wheat. There are three Inspection Bungalows at Mahabalesvar. There are three apiaries at Mahabalesvar one run by the Khadi and Village Industries Board and the other two viz. Madhu Kosh and Madhu Sugar run by co-operative societies. Mahabalesvar honey known for its quality is in great demand in the adjoining areas. There are two mosques at Mahabalesvar. The Christ Church originally built in 1842 is near the Hospital. The Roman Catholic Church is adjacent to the Petit Library and the American Mission Church is on the old Mahabalesvar Road. About sixty yards to the west of the Christ Church is the Beckwith monument 4,558 feet above sea level and reached by a bad stony path. It is a plain obelisk about thirty feet high and was erected from public subscription at a cost of Rs. 3,000. Sir Sidney Beckwith died here in 1831 while commander-in-chief. The subscribers put up an inscription and Lady Beckwith sent out another on a marble tablet. The influence of weather on marble rendered the second inscription almost illegible as early as 1843; the first inscription remains comparatively uninjured though the writing is much obliterated and blackened and can only be read with the greatest difficulty. For several years the monument has been regarded as sacred by the poorer classes, who resort to it for the purpose of obtaining answers to prayers. The first inscription on the west face runs:

" Sacred to the Memory of

Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Sidney Beckwith, K. C. B.,

Governor and Commander-in-chief of Bombay, and Colonel of

His Majesty's Rifle Brigade;

who, after a long course of distinguished service, expired at his

Residence on these Hills, on the 15th day of January

1831, aged 60 years.

Erected by a small circle of his friends in testimony of their admiration for his noble character, and to perpetuate the memory of so good and amiable a man."

The other inscription on the east face runs:

"This Tablet is placed by Mary, Lady Beckwith, daughter of the late Sir William Douglas, of Kilhead, Bart, as a memorial of the most devoted affection for her lamented husband, by whose sudden death she has been deprived of a most attached partner and friend and guide, in whom was combined every amiable quality by which the Christian character is adorned, and the intercourse of domestic life is endeared-a loss which can only be alleviated by the hope that looks beyond the grave. The sympathizing friends who erected this monument have kindly permitted a sorrowing widow, to add her heartfelt tribute to their."

Bungalows.

About 700 yards south-east of the obelisk on the left of the road leading to Lodwick Point is the cemetery canopied with the shade of many trees. It is well kept and contains several notable monuments.

There are about two hundred bungalows on the hill. Iron roofing is becoming more common, as it can be maintained in good repair at a trifling expense. As a rule in the hot season all the houses are occupied. Of the materials used in building these houses the teak came from Bombay, Ratnagiri, Poona, and Kanara, other timber from the neighbouring districts, the lime from Wax in Satara, and the corrugated iron from Bombay. The properties on the hill are generally held on lease; in a few cases the Government rent has been redeemed. In most cases local house agents would furnish the amount of rent etc., per season to the would-be bungalow lessees. Now according to section 6(i) of the Land Requisition Act, 1948, landowners cannot let the whole or portion of their bungalows, for one month or a season to anybody without the prior sanction of the Collector of Satara, under whose jurisdiction, Mahabalesvar falls. A number of house agents have established themselves on the hill station since many decades. The exterior and interior of most bungalows are fairly good whilst some of the Bombay owners' bungalows resemble, in excellence, their Bombay residences. Besides there are fine small cottages situated amidst woody surroundings.

For those who want to escape from attending to chores of housekeeping there are a number of hotels at Mahabalesvar which give vegetarian and non-vegetarian food with Indian or European style. Most of these hotels have reputation for good food and service. The rate per person during the season is from Rs. 8 to Rs. 25 and from Rs. 3 to Rs. 10 during the rest of the year. With the exception of the monsoonish months - June to September - Mahabalesvar is very satisfactorily habitable throughout the rest of the year. The peak season is April-May when, to escape the sweltering heat of the plains, a large number of visitors come to the hill station. But even when all the bungalows are occupied and almost all the hotels are packed to capacity one rarely finds a feeling of congestion (except perhaps in the bazar) for the simple reason that Mahabalesvar is very well laid out. This being a lucrative period of the year the prices of commodities, hotel fees, conveyance fares etc. are usually higher than what they are during the rest of the year.

Points.

The [Mr. J, W. P. Muir-Mackenzie, C. S.] principal points are Arthur seat (4,421) Elphinstone (4,184), Sidney or Lodwick (4,067), Bombay, Carnac, Falkland, Sassoon, and Babington (4,245) on the Konkan face and Kate's on the Deccan face.

Elphinstone Point and Arthur Seat.

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 3,000 feet. There is a small bungalow at Elphinstone Point, which provided accommodation for visitors. The bungalow is now out of repairs. Mahabalesvar municipality has now decided to demolish it and to construct a new picnic-shed on a suitable spot at Arthur seat. The road which passes the Mahabalesvar 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 a house here, is the highest point of the range in the neighbourhood, being 4,421 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 Tor valley dense with forest and concealing the head waters of the Krshna. Rajgad (3,992) and Torna (4,605), in Poona and Kangori (2,457) 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 apparently 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 meets 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 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.

Sidney or Lodwick.

The way to Sidney or Lodwick Point, which is nearly three miles north-west of the bazar, is to follow the Mahad road and take the second turning to the right. One more turning is met and the right hand should again be chosen. The road, though steep is well adapted for carriages. It follows the northern slope of the spur through dense though small forest and opens on to a space at the base of a sort of promontory two hundred yards long. The carriage way extends to the top of a rise in the promontory on which the Lodwick monument has been placed. Beyond this again, is the extreme end of the Point known as the Nose or Elephant Head 4,067 feet above sea level. This must be reached on foot, as it is connected with the rest of the spur by a narrow ridge not more than five or six feet wide with a deep drop on each side. This should be crossed with caution. The Nose or Elephant Head end of the point is only twelve feet wide and the sides have a drop of over 2,500 feet to the Koyna valley below. Many persons consider Sidney point the most beautiful on the hill. The view is less extensive on either side than from several other points. But Pratapgad and Elphinstone point crags are seen thence in their very best. There is a fine rebent of prospect north-west over the Konkan while the height and ruggedness of the surrounding hills is nowhere more fully brought home to the mind than from this almost isolated rock rearing its colossal height between two deep ravines crowned with rugged cliffs.

Lodwick Monument.

Sidney or Lodwick Point was formerly called Sidney after Sir Sidney Beckwith. Later on, by order of Government, the name was changed to Lodwick Point, in honour of General Lodwick who was the first English officer that climbed the hill. By permission of Government a column was erected on the point by General Lodwick's son. The column is about twenty-five feet high from the ground to the top of the urn which surmounts the pillar. On the west of the base of the monument is the head of the General, sculptured in alto-relievo in white marble, protected by stout tin wire in an iron frame. The iron has rusted and stained the face, which is scratched but not disfigured. On the south side is written:

In memory of

General Peter Lodwick,

Second son of John Lodwick, Esq., S. Shoebury, Essex,

who entered the Hon. E. I. Co.'s service in 1799

and died at Bagneres de Bigorre, France,

August 28th, 1873, aged 90.

SENIOR OFFICER OF H. M.'S FORCES IN INDIA.

On the east side is written:

In 1803-04, he saw service as a subaltern in connection with the operation of the Army under Sir Arthur Wellesley. He was Brigade Major of Captain Ford's Subsidiary Force at the Battle of Kirkee, November 5th 1817, when 2,800 British Troops defeated the Peshva's Army, and was present at the taking of Purandhar and other hill forts. He commanded a Regiment at Kittur in 1824; he subsequently became Town Major of Bombay; and closed his career in India as Resident of Satara.

The first European who set foot on these hills, he made known the salubrity of the climate, and led to the establishment of the Mahabalesvar Sanatorium, thus conferring an inestimable benefit on the Bombay Presidency.

On the north side is written:

The Point, now by order of Government designated Lodwick Point in honour of his name, he reached alone in 1827, after hours of toil through the dense forest. Here, therefore, as the most appropriate spot this monument has, with the permision of Government, been erected by his only son, R. W. Lodwick, of Her Majesty's Bombay Civil Service, Accountant General of Madras, in 1874.

Bombay Point.

Bombay Point, so called apparently because of its being on the old road to Bombay, is one of the earliest known in Mahabalesvar. [Compare Lady Falkland's Chow Chow, I. 147.] The view from it is perhaps the most extensive on the hill. It comprehends on the right or north-west Pratapgad and on the southwest the Saddleback and the set of hills between them, of the most varied and beautiful forms to be seen in the immediate neighbourhood. This also is the point from which to see the sunset over the sea. It is the most frequented rendezvous on the hill. A large space has been cleared for carriages and a platform made for a band. The point is reached by two roads. For both the Mahad road must be followed for a full mile to a spot where three roads meet. The shorter way to the point is straight on. One portion is rather steep but the saving in distance is very great, and the gradients have lately been improved. The whole road from the turning runs through thick woods. The turn to the right is the longer road, which gives a much easier gradient but a mile's more driving. The Mahad road is followed for three quarters of a mile when a turn to the left leads to the point. Many fine glimpses of Sidney Point are obtained from this road.

Falkland  and Carnac.

Carnac and Falkland Points called after the Governors of those names are within a quarter and half a mile respectively of Bombay Point. The views are very similar. The Saddle-back hill is seen to greater advantage from these two than from Bombay Point, but the sunset view is somewhat obstructed by the shoulder of Bombay Point itself. Falkand Point however, has a large space for carriages and is a very favourable resort. The cliffs of Babington Point are exceedingly well viewed from this point. These heights while exceedingly abrupt are specially well clothed with vegetation. The lines of the mosses and passes are specially attractive in October and in the cold weather the ravine is filled with the intense blue shadow characteristic of these hills.

Falkland.

Closely adjoining Falkland Point is the glade, an open space cleared in the forest, a charming specimen of the beautiful interiors of these small light woods. There is a direct road to Falkland point by the left hand turning of the three mentioned above. It is broad and drivable but very steep in parts, and not much used for carriages.

Sassoon.

Sassoon Point about half-way on the road to Babington Point has the Lawn Tennis Courts of the station. There are six of them well furnished and in good order. There is now the Parsee Gymkhana with the Tennis courts.

Babington.

Babington Point is about two miles almost due south of the Frere Hall. The road is an excellent one. It passes through the bazar past Sassoon Point on the right and on for another half a mile by gentle gradients. The last half mile where it turns a little to the west is very steep and leads on the point a fine open space. This is the point of view for the Koyna valley and the Saddle-back.

Kate's.

Kate's Point, unlike all the others, affords a view to the Deccan side. The hills here have less variety and grandeur. But the valley of the Krshna has beauties of its own in a winding river and patches of cultivation. Kamalgad, Pandugad and Mandhardev, three fine heights, are prominent objects in the landscape. Wai unfortunately is shut out from view by a shoulder of the hill called Tai Ghat. The road to the point has recently been made easily passable for light carriages. It turns off from the Poona high road about a mile and a half east of the lake and from here it is another mile and a half to the point. It is a spur jutting out into the Krishna valley. At the extremity is a huge piece of rock a hundred feet high which appears to have become detached from the main scarp. A few smaller boulders wedged between this rock and the face of the cliff form a connecting link not more than six feet wide requiring steadiness to cross. The rock and scarp with the connecting boulders form a curious natural arch. The arch is known as the Kate's Point Needle. The road to Kate's point forms part of the old path to Malcolm Peth known as General Phayre's road. It follows the northern slope of Pancgani from the village of Dahiyat and emerges on the plateau about a mile east of Kate's Point. This path was at no time made passable for wheels.

Water falls.

There are three chief waterfalls on and near the hill, the Lingamala falls in the Yenna valley, the Dhobis' fall almost midway between Lodwick Point and the bazar, and the Chinamen's fall near the gardens formerly cultivated by the Chinese ticket-of-leave men. These are well worth a visit, especially in the cold weather when the. volume of water is considerable.

Lingamala.

The Lingamala falls are reached by two different routes. One is by the Satara road which has to be followed for about 2½ miles from the Frere Hall, when a mile more along a branch road to the left called as Lingamala road will lead to the falls. Carriages cannot approach within a quarter of a mile and the branch road is narrow and steep everywhere. A turn to the right about three quarters of a mile from the road shows the path leading to the falls which are excellently viewed from several of its angles. The stream is here precipitated over the face of a steep cliff with a sheer descent of some 500 feet, unbroken when the torrent is swollen by rain, but ordinarily divided by projecting rocks, about one-third of the way down and scattered below into thin white streaks and spray, which are after circled by rainbows from the oblique rays of the sun. A strong eddy of air created by the fall blows back on to the top the spray and light objects thrown over the fall. The headlong rush and roar of the falling river Yenna; the many other streams lining with silver the steep dark sides of the chasm, as they hasten to join the foaming torrent, which far below is dashing on through masses of rock; the grandeur of the scenery, now wreathed in floating mists now bright in sunshine, combine to form a scene of the most absorbing beauty [Murray's Bombay Handbook, 199.]. By means of an arduous scramble the very edge of the fall can be reached, though usually at the expense of a wetting. Visiting the Lingamala in the morning and then in the evening is like visiting two' places, for, the light of day plays here picturesquely. In the orchards near the Lingamala wild flowers and salad grow in abundance in the gardens neighbouring the falls. The dak bungalow of Lingamala is close by. This bungalow and the falls can be reached by another carriage route along the Poona road from which the road to the bungalow branches off to the right a few hundred yards east of the Kate's Point road.

A most beautiful view of the Solshi valley can be obtained by passing from what is known as the Blue Valley road [The Blue Valley takes its name from the blue haze and shadow for which it is notable.] which connects Babington Point and the Satara road. The turn to the left from the Satara road is about a mile and half distant from Frere Hall and cannot be mistaken. The road is passable for light carriages but careful driving is required.

Dhobis' Fall.

The Dhobis' or washermen's waterfall is so named because it was formerly used by washermen. It is on a bridle path connecting the Sidney Point with the Elphinstone Point and the Old Mahabalesvar road. The fall is insignificant but situated in a lovely sequestered nook and looking straight at the south side of Elphinstone Point ravine. The rocks on either side are abrupt and lofty, while there is abundance of foliage and forest to add to the beauty of the scene. It is frequented as a picnic spot.

An excellent round of the hill can be made on foot or horseback by starting along the Mahabalesvar road taking the left turn to the Dhobis' waterfall and on to Sidney Point. Thence another bridle path starts south, known as From Dan to Bersheba. It crosses the Mahad road and eventually reaches Bombay Point. From Bombay Point the carriage road is followed to Falkland Point, whence again the Tiger Path strikes off following the head of the Babington Point ravine and past the Chinamen's fall till Babington Point is reached. From Babington Point it passes by the Blue Valley road to the Satara road. The distance covered will be about twelve miles and most of the best views will have seen.

It should not be omitted to notice that the Albert road, a loop branching southwards from the Satara road about half a mile from the Frere Hall and close to the pillar post, gives perhaps the finest panorama of the landscape west of Pratapgad to be seen on the hill. It includes the whole of the Blue Valley and the Saddleback range as far as Pratapgad.

Glenoval Dam Project.

To the South of the town an earthen [In the first instant it was proposed to put a bund in cement but the composition of the soil below being unsuitable for such construction, an earthen dam has been built.] bund against the Glenoval stream, from the west forms an area of about three acres and 40' in depth, which holds enough water to meet the needs of the local people and that of visitors as well.

The project is in being since 1959 and the water supply through taps has recently started. The project with an estimated cost of Rs. 7 lakhs, is being completed under the supervision of the Irrigation and Power Department of the Maharashtra State. It will be handed over to the Municipality for maintenance and use after the completion.

Due to the porous nature of the soil, water in the dam percolates to the lower portions of the hill. A big well has been bored there and the water is pumped into' the dam, so that the supply of water may not at anytime fall short of needs.

Strawberry Plantations.

Entering Mahabalesvar from Pancgani side strawberry plantations attract the visitor's attention during the season. These plantations spread out from the Yenna. Lake to the Lingamala falls. Lovely Mahabalesvar strawberries are wellknown for their taste and are sent out in packages to different places.

Excursions.

The places in the neighbourhood of the hill to which excursions are occasionally made are Pratapgad, Makrandgad or Saddleback, Robbers' Caves, and the Mahabalesvar temples.

Pratapgad.

Pratapgad, 3,543 feet above sea level, is famous in Maratha history. Early in his career it was the seat of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, and here in 1659 he met Afzal Khan, the commander of the Bijapur army. The fort was designed by Shivaji in 1656 and built by Moro Trimbak Pingle. For many years it was a great Maratha stronghold being in ruins under the British rule but is being rescued recently. Inside is the temple of Bhavani, Shivaji's family goddess. Chhatrapati Shivaji was a devotee of Bhavani Devi. His sword was dedicated to this deity and at the time of battle Shivaji flourished his sword with the battle-cry 'Jai Bhavani.'. The great attraction of the Fort is now the elegant bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on horse back which was installed in 1957 and was unveiled by Pandit Javaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. The tomb, a short distance outside of the fort, marks the spot where Afzal Khan's head was buried. Pratapgad has been made much easier of access by a good road which runs nearly the whole way, and a travellers' bungalow at Vada or Ambenali at the bottom of the pass where refreshments can be had and arrangements made for carrying those who find it difficult to climb the hill. The Vada bungalow is within forty minutes' walk of the fort. Fifteen villages, yielding a yearly revenue of Rs. 3,350, were granted for the maintenance of the temple of Bhavani. [Details of Pratapgad are given below under Pratapgad.] Though not much ravaged by the teeth of time, the elements have been somewhat unkind to It in as much as the pinnacles of two pillars, here were once struck by lightning and some years back a fire broke out at Pratapgad which brought down solid walls. These walls and the upper portions of the said pillars have been built anew in concrete. Amongst the relics to be still found at Pratapgad are a couple of nagaras or drums which used to announce the coming of Shivajis armies to the fort and a flag-post on which fluttered the flag of Shivaji. Muslims gather in thousands to attend the urus held annually in February in honour of Afzal Khan.

Makrandgad.

Makrandgad perhaps the sweet or pleasant hill, and known as the Saddleback, stands on the left of Pratapgad in the village of Ghonaspur, about five miles south-west of Mahabaleshvar. The hill, which is sparsely covered with timber, is 4,054 feet above sea level or 500 feet higher than Pratapgad. It is unfortified and has on the top a pond and a temple. The chief attraction is its wide view, which on a clear day includes much of the Konkan and a long stretch of sea coast. The paths up the hill are steep, and here and there narrow and bordered by precipices. [Details of Makrandgad are given below under Makrandgad.].

Parut.

Parut in the Koyna. Valley, five or six miles beyond Babington Point, is reached by an excellent footpath and has a good supply of pig, deer, peafowl, junglefowl and spurfowl. About ten miles further at a place called Bamnoli, or at Tambi, five miles beyond, bear and sambar are found. In going to Bamnoli it is visual to drive to Medha and then ride over the hill about seven miles along a good bridle path.

Chanda.

Canda, a small hill in the direction of Pratapgad and about five miles from the bazar, is occasionally visited by sportsmen. It is surrounded by a dense forest, which generally contains some of the larger wild animals.

Kamalgad.

Kamalgad, a small hill north of Kate's Point on the opposite side of the Krshna valley, 4,511 feet above sea level, can be reached either by a pony-cart or on horseback as far as Kate's Point and thence on foot. A good walker can reach the top of the hill in about two hours. Pigs are generally plentiful in April and May, and small deer and spurfowl are abundant at all seasons. About twenty-five beaters are required. It is best to send some one who knows the place a day in advance to make ready booths or mandavs, and to find out from the villagers what game is about and where it is to be found.

Robbers' Cave.

Another place occasionally visited is Shin Shin Ghal or the Robbers' Cave, about four miles south-east of the station. The best way to get to it is to ride or drive about a mile beyond Babington Point, taking the left hand road. After this a footpath, chiefly used by the Dhavads of Malusar, leads to a rocky plain on one side of which is the cave. There are many stories about this cave. Some Hindus consider it an ancient abode of the giants, while others assert that it was made as a chapel by the Rshis or seers. Others again say that the cave is the work of Dhavads who dug it to get the laterite stones they used in making iron. The objection to this last story is that as laterite is found on the surface it is difficult to see what the Dhavad gained by mining. The length of the cave is about 150 feet, the mouth about ten feet wide and high enough for a man to enter without stooping. In the middle it becomes considerably lower. A few years ago the cave is said to have been a tunnel about 500 feet long. It is gradually being filled by clay left by the rainy season floods. The cave is seldom or never entered by the villagers, as the thick forest round is infested by wild animals which, no doubt, frequently resort to the cave. The natives call it Shin Shin Ghal or the Shin Shin passage. What Shin Shin means is not known.

At the upper part of a small wooded ravine about midway between the Sindola range and the road leading to Kate's Point from the Pancgani road is another Robbers' cave smaller than the above but better known and more often visited.

About Arthur's seat, sambar are found during the greater part of the cold and hot seasons. Owing to the thick undergrowth, principally karvi, it is most difficult to beat them out. One hundred beaters are necessary, and even then the sambars often break back. Small deer and spurfowl are plentiful here as on most parts of the hill.

During March and April there is some bush quail shooting about four miles from the station on the Pancgani road and on the Satara road from Lingamala onwards.

Temples.

The temple of Mahabaleshvar which gives its name to the station is situated 4,385 feet above sea level in old Mahabaleshvar two and a half miles north of the bazar. Near the main temple of Mahabaleshvar are two other temples, one dedicated to Krshnabai or the river Krshna and another to Atibaleshvar or Vishnu. Mahabaleshvar and Krshnabai are held in more esteem than Vishnu and their temples are more costly.

The temple of Mahabaleshvar is surrounded by a stone wall about five feet high. In the centre the temple, built of black trap and supported on stone pillars, consists of two apartments, a small inner room for the god and a larger outer room for the worshippers. The temple of Krshnabai which is also of trap, is larger than the temple of Mahabaleshvar and of a different shape. It consists of Khans or arches on three sides with an open space in the centre, the whole somewhat resembling a theatre. The fourth or northern side is formed by a high stone wall, at the base of which, about three feet apart, are five holes out of which water flows; these are supposed to be the five rivers Krshna, Koyna, Yenna, Gayatri and Savitri, which, after running for about ten feet, unite and fall through the mouth of a carved stone cow into a cistern, and overflowing the cistern All a second reservoir. The upper cistern in former days was used for bathing by Hindus of the higher castes and the second by Hindus of the lower classes. There is no written information regarding the building and cost of these temples. But from local inquiries, it appears that they have been in existence from remote times, and that about 300 years ago they were rebuilt and thoroughly repaired by the wealthy Satara banker Parashuram Narayan Angal [According to a local story Parashuram Narayan Angal was a Satara beggar who suddenly discovering a large treasure became a banker and spent his money in building temples, rest houses, and wells in the Satara district Lady Falkland's Chow Chow, II 31. See below Pateshvar.]. Repairs at a cost of about Rs. 15.000 were carried out in 1875, when a corrugated iron roof was placed over the temple of Krshnabai by the then Chief of Jamkhindi.

The village is regarded by Hindus as a tirth or sacred pool, as people come to it to perform religious rites. The Brahman priests and temple servants who form the bulk of the inhabitants earn a considerable revenue. The god Shiv has an endowment granted by late Raja of Satara, which is administered by an agent appointed for the purpose. Besides frequent gatherings on all religious festivals, yearly fairs are held in honour of the two chief deities, and are largely attended by all classes of Hindus.

The traditional origin of these temples is that two rakshas or demon brothers named Mahabal and Atibal, bitter enemies of the Brahmans and their gods, were so powerful and warlike that they disturbed the devotions of the Brahmans and harassed the people. The Brahmans appealed to Vishnu who came and killed the younger brother Atibal. Enraged at the death of his brother, Mahabal challenged the god to single combat. They fought so long that Vishnu became exhausted and sought the help of the goddess of enchantment. She cast a spell over the giant so that he ceased fighting and promised to giant any favour the god should ask of him. The favour asked by the god was the death of Mahabal. As Mahabal had pledged his word, this favour had to be granted, and the gods began to cut the giant in pieces without his offering any resistance. Struck with admiration Shiv offered to fulfil any of his dying wishes. Several requests were made and granted, the chief being that Shiv and Vishnu should take the names of the giant and his brother, and that in memory of their fight their temples should be called Mahabaleshvar and Atibaleshvar.

There are three yearly festivals or ustsavs at the temples, Krshnabai's "and Navratra in honour of the river Krshna, and Shivratra in honour of Mahabaleshvar. Krshnabai's fair begins on the first day of the bright half of Phalgun (February-March) and lasts for five days; the Navaratra begins on the first day of the bright half of Ashvin (September-October) and lasts for ten days; and Shivratra begins on the twelfth day of the dark half of Magh (February-March) and lasts for seven days. To meet the cost of these fairs and other expenses in connection with the temples a sum of Rs. 150 was sanctioned from the revenue of the endowed village of Kasri. Private contributions are collected if the amount falls short. While these fairs last, from Rs. 200-300 are spent on the observance of such religious rites as prayojan Puran and Kirtan or Katha. The amount sanctioned for the performance of these rites is about Rs. 175, and the excess is met from fund raised on the occasion.

At the Navratra there are scarcely any strangers. On the two other occasions from about 1,000 to 1,500 people gather from the neighbouring villages in the Javli and Wai talukas of Satara, and from the nearer villages of the Mahad taluka of Kolaba. People from Poona and Nasik and from the more distant parts of the Deccan and of Northern India, especially Bairagis and Fakirs, may also sometimes be seen and occasionally Parsees and Musalmans are attracted for the sake of amusement or from curiosity. Of these visitors those who live close at hand return the same evening, and those who dwell farther off remain till the close of the fair. These are accommodated either in Krshnabai's shrine or in the houses of priests, most of whom hold papers from the ancestors of the pilgrims appointing them their hereditary religious guides. The only rites performed by the pilgrims are bathing in the sacred waters of the Panchganga and worshipping the principal images. Rich pilgrims sometimes give feasts and dinners to Brahmans. Except the petty shopkeepers and Malis of Malcolm Peth few traders open stalls at these fairs. The articles offered for sale are of the commonest sort, glass bangles, earthen toys, dry dates, cocoanuts, potatoes, guavas, plantains, and other ordinary fruit and raw sugar and sweetmeats. The other temples at Mahabaleshvar are those of Shri Ram, Shri Hanuman, Shri Shankar, Shri Vitthal and Shri Dattatraya.

Parks.

The Pratapsinh Park situated near the Yenna Lake is under the management of the Forest department. The park is very well laid out and has a herbarium. The Seth Gangadhar Makharja Garden is under the municipal management and has a children's corner and a radio set for public listening.

People.

The local people of Mahabaleshvar proper and of the near about areas are Maratha, Dhavad, Dhangar and Koli. With the exception of a few wealthy permanent residents, mostly traders, the main bulk of the population is from moderate to poor. People living in the bazar occupy tenements with light and air not always in plenty, yet the fresh air generally prevailing on the station is energising food in itself. The atmosphere is so dry and cool, except during the monsoon, that it seldom makes one feel fatigued.

The local people at Mahabaleshvar follow a number of occupations most of which are centred round the needs of the visitors. Thus there are shoe-makers (shoe-making is a flourishing indigenous industry in Mahabaleshvar), fruit and vegetable vendors and grocers storekeepers, cloth-merchants, chemists, dhangars and ponywallas, bamboo stick makers etc. Then there are the Government servants, the staff of the Posts and Telegraphs, Buildings and Communications Department, the Superintendent's office, the Mahalkari's Office etc. Finally, among the resident inhabitants come the hotel keepers. Mahabaleshvar being a fine hill-station hotels have an important place in the economic life of the people.

For conveyance Mahabaleshvar has a small number of bicycles and private cars are seen during the season. The State Transport Authority provides bus service during the season to take the visitors to near about places on the hill station. However, with all this a ride on a horse remains a pleasure by itself.

Holiday Camp.

A fairly long stay at Mahabaleshvar is a luxury which middle class people cannot afford. For the benefit of these people tenements known as Holiday Camp have been erected in the premises of the old Government House. The Holiday Camp at Mahabaleshvar has 58 tenements in all which are divided into three classes. For reservation an application is to be made to the Director of Tourism, Sachivalaya, Bombay, and a deposit is to be paid. The amount of deposit is Rs. 10 for the first and second class and Rs. 5 for the third class. All the tenements are provided with bathroom and electricity and also with necessary utensils and furniture. Food is also served to those who desire. The rates have been fixed according to the class. The scheme has become very popular and people are taking advantage in increasing numbers.

The Tourist Bureau at Mahabaleshvar gives information regarding the various facilities available to the visitors of Mahabaleshvar and co-ordinates the work of the travel agencies, State Transport, hotel owners, housing agents and Holiday Camp authorities, etc., for the benefit of the visitors.

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