Matheran

Locations :

Lattitude: 18.9866° N,
Longitude: 73.2679° E
Best Time to Visit : October to May

Weather :

Summer : 26°C to 33°C
Winter : 17°C to 31°C
Monsoon : 19°C to 30° C
Sited 90 kilometers from Mumbai and 120 from Pune, Matheran the Lilliputian peninsula literally means forest on the forehead or woodland overtop. Perched just 800 meters above the sea level, Matheran is the smallest hilly haven of India. Sandwiched between two of the India’s busiest and biggest metropolitans Mumbai and Pune Matheran offers a wonderful and much needed escape to the populace of both. The fact that it is an automobile free zone declared by the government makes it all the way more alluring. At an elevation 2625 of Matheran was identified and declared an eco sensitive zone by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, which means, any developmental and constructional advances can adversely affect the geography and ecology of the place and hence the only motorized vehicles permitted inside the periphery of Matheran are ambulances for everything else there are horses and rickshaws. 
Like most of the hill stations in India Matheran is a gift from British during the Raj as it was too discovered by an Englishman, a certain Hugh Poyntz Malet in 1850, the then district collector of Thane and developed as a hill station under the directives of then Governor of Bombay, Lord Elphinstone as an ancillary retreat for British to escape the scorching summers. Apart from the hill station, they [English] also commissioned a 20 kilometer long rail track the Matheran Hill Railway.    
The woods of Matheran are not only endowed with aesthetics but are also enriched with a variety and volume of herbs known for their curative and salutary powers and not to mention the many forest animals from monkeys, langurs, deer, fox, leopards, squirrels and boar that are not difficult to spot. There are as much as 38 designated mounts and high points in Matheran that offer a bird’s eye view of the entire valley below and the Western Ghats.
 
Main Attractions
  • Alexander Point: This hillock is just 1 kilometer from the Matheran Post Office on Madhavji Road, the distance that can be covered in 15-20 minutes at the most. The route passes amidst the woods and is a literal treat for the senses. The stop commands a comprehensive view of Palasdari Lake, Rmbaug Point, towers of Bhivpuri Power House, Palasdari Lake, Garbut Point, Chowk Point and Borgaon village.    
  • Echo Point: Cloaked between valleys and mountains echo point is at a distance of 2 kilometers from the Post Office and as the name suggests is marked for the reverberating voices that are produced by the echo effect of the surrounding mountains. The place is strikingly gusty and misty during the mountains and is very popular among the young lovers who like to shout the names of their valentines and declare their adulations at the top of their voices. 
  • Panorama Point: This one is a located a little away, precisely 6 kilometers from the Post Office and is the most recommended, frequented and renowned points of Matheran. The 1 -1.5 hours walk is slightly difficult to undertake particularly for children and elderly as one has to pass through the rocky terrains marked with potholes, but one worth making the effort. The summit is a much favored picnic spot to relish a sunrise with a steaming cup of tea, easily available from a number of vendors there. The high point offers a glimpse of Peb Fort, Prabal Fort [on each side], Chanderi, preaks from Mhas-Mal, Navara Naveri, Chanderi, Monkey and Porcupine Points and Hart Hills.
  • Khandala Point: One of the nearest to the market place, the summit is no named because it offers a glimpse to Khandala Hills, other than that one can view Garbut Parvat, Karjat valley, Bhivpuri Power House, fog and clouds. The point is marred with presence of too many monkeys.
  • Rambaug Point: Another hike point after Panorama Point to view the rising sun, Rambaug Point is 2 kilometers from the central market. Alexander Point is visible from this mount as well as Khandala Point, Garbut Point and Karjat Valley.   
  • Chowk Point: 4 kilometers from Post Office this point can only be reached by the Matheran Hill Railway or the toy train as it’s popularly known. One has to pass through Alexander and Rambaug Points to reach this point. The places visible from here are Karnala Fort, Vishalgad, Prabal Fort, One Tree Hill, Karjat, Palasdari and Chowk Village, however, the highlight of the point is a gigantesque yet captivating Lord Ganesha idol and a pond in the backdrop.  
  • One Tree Hill: The singular distinction of this obscure and lesser known summit is a lone Jambul Tree, the one on the whole summit. The point commands a breath-taking view of the valley below and the surroundings here are simply pictorial. Mumbai-Pune Highway, a tent Hill, Panvel City and Chowk Village are visible from here.
  • Belvedere Point: Just 10 minutes walk from One Tree Hill will take you to yet another serene peak which most people tend to miss. The steep slopes of the mount offer the maximum and all encompassing view of the entire Matheran valley including the pond and the waterfall.
  • Louisa Point and Lions Head: The arduous 3 kilometers walk from market center to this point is a real put off for many but once taken is a balm to sore eyes. Often contested by many as one of the best points in Matheran, it offers a 360 degrees view of the surrounding valleys and ghats even the lights of Mumbai city in the night. One extreme of this point is naturally shaped in a Lion’s head. 
  • Porcupine Point: This sunset or more aptly sunrise point is an easy, safe and pleasant 3.5 kilometers walk from the market place. The place is shaped like a bird and is best recommended to visit in March-April. 
  • Monkey Point: Known for the not so menacing populace of monkeys here this point is three kilometers from the Post Office. Another distinction of the mount is the echo effect it produces; a sound when loudly made here reverberates distinctly six to seven times.  
  • Mount Berry: 5 kilometers from the Post Office, Mount Berry is the highest mount of Matheran. This mesmerizing grassland is highly favored by vacationers. One can gorge on the awesome view of toy train coming uphill running parallel to Neral Water Pipe and an up above glimpse of Neral town.  
  • Garbut Point: Another point a little farther from the rest, Garbut Point 5 kilometers from the Post Office offers an illusionary view of the horizon where earth and heaven marry each other. The hilltop is a must visit at dusk and dawn.
  • Hart Point: Distinct for its verdure, Hart point offers a good passage for morning walk and a night glimpse to the glittering lights of Mumbai’s night life.   
  • King George Point: The locals and authorities have installed a telescope at this cliff [priced] with the help of which one can spot locations otherwise imperceptible to the naked eye.
  • Lord Point: Another splendid hilltop located close to Charlotte Lake which offers a stunning view of the surroundings. The place is recommended to be visited after the monsoons.
  • Charlotte Lake: Nestled between the fork of Echo Point and Louisa Point, Charlotte Lake is a natural water resource which fulfills the water needs of the inhabitants to Matheran and for the same reason any sort of fishing, boating or adventurous sports are strictly prohibited in the lake. The lake is sandwiched between a dam on one fold and a temple on the other.
  • Malet Spring: A natural water spring located 1-1.5 kilometers from the Post Office, the water from this spring is drinkable natural mineral water which runs throughout the year.
 



Shopping
  • The Bazaar
Things To Do
Places of Worship:
 
  • Ambarnath Temple
  • Holy Cross Church
  • Pisharnath Temple
  • Shiv Mandir
  • Chang Bhale Mandir
  • Ram Mandir
  • Rc Church
Places of Entertainment:
 
  • Local Movie Theaters
  • Paymasters Park
  • Neral Matheran Toy Train
 
Getting There
  • By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai is the nearest serving airport to Matheran at 100 kilometers
  • By Railway – All trains to Matheran can be accessed from Neral Railway Station 20 kilometers from the town and Neral can be reached by Matheran Hill Railway of the Toy Train
  • By Road – All buses to and from Matheran can be taken from Dodhani 15 kilometers away from where it is an hour long pleasant trek on foot. 
 
Shown Map

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