India Focus

A close neighbour of Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani is a picturesque and frequented hill resort. This is an ideal base for some good trekking. Situated at an altitude of 1334m, it gets its name from the five hills around it. Tucked away in Satara district, it is best approached from Pune. The way to Panchgani from Mahabaleshwar, which is 18 kms, is absolutely spectacular. The Krishna River that meanders through the farms, ravines and hamlets on one side and the coastal plains on the other side has a special charm. Panchgani displays architecture of Old British buildings and Parsi houses. Horses are the best mode of travelling, which will gently gallop you through the thick, lush green trees, to unmarked routes, to the caves and the Kamalgad fort. The bazaar is also a place worth visiting. For long distances though taxis are available, bicycles and horses are the best mode of transport.

Places to visit in Panchgani:

Apex Point, Baby Point, Devil’s Kitchen, Dhome Dam, Grover Point, Harrison’s Folly, Kachhawari Point, MRA-Moral Rearmament Training Centre, Meherbaba Caves, Parsi Point, Rajpuri Caves, Sydney Point and Table land.

Excursions from Panchgani:

Sajjangadh (10 Km.): With the Samadhi of Ramdas Swami, guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Wai (12 Km.):Known for it’s ancient temple of Lord Ganapati, the Kashivishweshwar temple and the Buddhist caves
at Lonara (7 Km.).

Kana Lake (26 Km.): Source of water supply to Satara and Satara (45 Km.): the capital of the Maratha empire from 1699.

Access to Panchgani:

Air : The nearest airport is Pune 100 km away connected by Indian Airlines and private airlines with Delhi, Mumbai and other cities /towns.

Rail : The nearest railhead is Satara 44 km but the convenient railhead is Pune 100 km, which is a major railhead on the Central line.

Road : Panchgani is connected by motorable roads with Aurangabad 330 km., Mahabaleshwar 19 km., Nashik 306 Km., Pune 100 Km. & Mumbai 258 Km.