MOUNTAIN ESCAPES
| PANCHGANI |
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| Panchgani guide >>> Panchgani travel guide and tourist
information on Panchgani, how to get to Panchgani, also details on sightseeing in
Panchgani, best time to visit Panchgani and accommodation in Panchgani |
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Panchgani, the Maharashtra town in the midst
of five hills, is an eternally beautiful hill station, a favourite escape clause for the
Mumbai-weary. Panchgani is perennially fresh and inviting; its bracing climate complements
the verdant surroundings. Flanked by tableland and craggy cliffs, Panchgani is 1334 m;
just 38 m lower than Mahabaleshwar. The drive up to the town winds past red roofed hamlets
and a patchwork quilt of neatly laid out fields and orchards. As the road meanders uphill,
the vegetation becomes greener and denser, the tree canopy widens and bird sounds are
magnified. |
And then finally, you arrive at a neat,
colonial-style town, with a birds' eye view of emerald green coastal plains on one side
and the River Krishna on the other. Panchgani is the archetypal British-in-India hill
station, with grand old bungalows and buildings with the Raj stamped all over. The town is
known for its English style boarding schools and old Parsi houses that front the forests.
While in Panchgani, hike across to the Rajpuri caves in the temple of
Swami Kartikeya or to Kamalgad Fort. A trip to Panchgani is complete only
after a visit to the famous Pratapgad Fort, 24 km from Mahabaleshwar. The
fort, built in 1656 by Shivaji, witnessed the momentous confrontation between the Maratha
rebel and Afzal Khan. Nearby are the Temple of Goddess Bhavani and the Dargah
of Afzal Khan.
A genteel place, Panchgani doesn't really pander to commercial tastes, as does
Mahabaleshwar. Here, holiday pastimes include walking, riding on one of the numerous
ponies that canter around town, or simply unwinding at home in the cool of the veranda or
drinking tea on the lawns. And if you feel energetic, amble down to the bazaar to shop for
very reasonably priced shoes and slippers, preserves and squashes made from fresh
strawberries and raspberries.
Getting to Panchgani
Panchgani is 270 km from Mumbai via Pune and 266 km via Mahad. The closest airport is at
Pune, 98 km from Panchgani. The nearest railhead is at Wathar, 45 km. It is convenient to
come to Panchgani via Pune. There are regular buses, taxi services and car rentals between
Mumbai and Panchgani. Within Panchgani, you can move around on horseback, taxis,
rickshaws, and cycles or on foot.
Best time to visit Panchgani
Panchgani is inviting at any time of the year, particularly between September and May. The
town is at a height of 1334 ft. Average summer temperatures are 35° C and winter is 16°
C.
Accommodation in Panchgani
There are a number of hotels, guesthouses and resorts with excellent facilities to cater
to all budgets at Panchgani. The MTDC has middle and low budget accommodation too.
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