The 'Land of Five Hills', or Panchgani, is a distinguished hill station in Maharashtra. Located far away from the bustling city of Mumbai, Panchgani promises its visitors a trip they could cherish for life. The name Panchgani literally means 'five hills'. It was discovered by the British as an ideal summer resort. The climate here remains stable and pleasant throughout the year and the place pulsates with greener and captivating scenic beauty and the environment is pristine and uncontaminated. One can enjoy the spectacular view of Krishna River, which accompanies you all the way through until you reach Panchgani. The lush green scenery, fresh air and view of the Krishna River are simply breathtaking. Also adding to the overall charm, Panchgani is dotted with a number of cottages, built in the colonial style. You can also spot various buildings of British architecture. Read through the following section to get a clear picture of the place.
The town was discovered by the British as a summer resort in the 1860s. Mahabaleshwar was the summer resort of choice for the British, but it was uninhabitable during the monsoons. Panchgani was developed as a retirement place for the British as it remained pleasant throughout the year. John Chesson, a British superintendent, was responsible for the transformation of Panchgani into a summer resort. It is also said that, during Vanavasa, the Pandavas spent some time in Panchgani and the cave where they stayed in the famous Devil's Kitchen.
Panchgani has several beautiful tourist attractions. Table Land, Parsi Point, Kamalgadh Fort, Devil's Kitchen, Rajpuri Caves, Sydney Point, Mapro Gardens, Dhom dam etc. are some of the major sightseeing options in Panchgani. Panchgani is dotted with British style old bungalows and Parsi houses. It is also known for many residential educational institutions and a favoured destination for health resorts.
In Panchgani, one can shop for natural products and a variety of handmade goods. Local handicrafts, slippers and bags are certain products that may catch your attention. Panchgani bazaar, Shivaji circle and Buddha-Ka-Bazaar are among the popular market areas. Since these places are easily accessible, it is recommended that tourists shop from these markets.
The best time to visit Panchgani is the winter season or the onset of summers. The temperature during these seasons is apt for outdoor activities like sightseeing. The best months to visit Panchgani are, namely September, October, November, January, February, March, April and May.
How to Reach:
Panchgani is well connected to Mumbai via roads. Frequent bus services are available from Mumbai. Another option is to hire a taxi, which may cost you more but would be infinitely more convenient in terms of sightseeing and photography. Pune International Airport is the nearest airport, which is about 111 km from Panchgani. The nearest railway station is Pune, which is 100 km away. Pune is a big city and is well connected to the rest of the country. After getting down at Pune Station, one can hire a pre-paid taxi to Panchgani.
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India is a vast country and a mystery to most. Those who live in it, those who now live outside of India or those who are just visiting. We, at NRIClub™, serve as a centralized hub of information for the residents, non-residents and travellers who are not familiar with various aspects of this great country.
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