Matheran - Forest On Top

Some really interesting facts about Matheran to get you glued to this post

• Matheran is the tiniest hill station in the worl

• Matheran is the only pedestrian tourist destination in Asia

Matheran is the most clean hill station in India(Dr Mohan Ram - Chairman, Eco sensitive zone identification committee)

Matheran is located in the Raigad district within the Karjat Tahsil at a height of 800 m(2625 Ft). It is about 90 Km's from Mumbai and 120 Km from Pune. The name Matheran means 'Forest on Top' as there are numerous walkways through dense forests as you reach Matheran. Due to vehicles being banned post Dasturi point, Matheran still retains an old world charm that many hill stations lack.

Taken near Charlotte lake en route to Echo Point

Taken near Khandala point which is very near to the main market

There are about 38 lookout points at Matheran and most of them have breathtaking views. Since it is difficult to visit all 38 of them, on a 1 night stopover trip one can visit the following points(u need at least 5-6 hours in hand)

•     Alexander Point
•     Rambag Point
•     One Tree Hill Point
•     Monkey Point
•     Khandala Point(Very close to main market)
•     Panorama Point(360 degree view)
•     Echo Point
•     Charlotte Lake

From the time you will enter Matheran, the pimps will hound you to hire mules and horses. For the sake of the animal and unnecessary wastage of money(when two feet of yours can suffice)...please avoid it. In fact, these poor animals are tortured to no end, by giving them insufficient food and loading humans,gunny bags and what not on them! I was also amazed to see young couples(25-30 year old) looking tiredly towards the trail and hiring a mule to the Matheran market(when its just a straight road along the tracks for 15-20 minutes).Ridiculous eh?

There are a number of staying options in Matheran - Budget, Mid Range, High End. Hotel Riviera, Richie Rich, Usha Ascot and Rangoli all are great hotels and serve mainly the hordes of Gujaratis and Marwaris who come here with their 'Pure Veg' proposition. I know there are some like me, for whom that proposition does not work. Hotel Horseland is a good option as the food is really great - both Non Veg and Veg. The service though is a bit below par as most of the room service guys are surprisingly from Rajasthan and seems like they are really tired after a walk in the desert. Horseland has a great pool and all the rooms have a spacious balcony overlooking the pool. Its a nice economical place to stay and there are a lot of other things that go on along with the stay - Discotheque , Housie, Rain Dance and a lot more. For more details on Matheran Hotels please visit : http://tinyurl.com/6kahdzd

The climb in your vehicle from Neral to Matheran is another highlight. This route has some of the most deadly hairpin bends in the Western Ghats.

Photo Source : Wikipedia

There are bends after bends and somehairpin bends are inclined 60 degrees from the erstwhile road. Its a challenge driving if your vehicle has a bad pickup, but its equally exhilirating.

Please also do get a feel of the Matheran Market - the chikki shops, the poker joints , the pure veg array vs the Non Veg treats(There's a sizeable Muslim population at Matheran and thus for the meat hungry theres always something). Do try the Shabbir Biryaniwala(Near the Horseland Hotel) as the food there is quite kickass!

Taken at Charlotte lake which is probably the best place to go on a monsoon evening!

Moot point! Matheran anyday is a better place that a Lonavla or Khandala...which are by now become 'Locations of Rowdiness' for the locals.The tourists here are far more cultured and well behaved and most importantly - they mind their own business.

Take a walk to one of the various points through the dense jungles and you will feel serene...and one with yourself!